City of Alexandria
Outdoor Dining
Design Guidelines
November 2022
Table of Contents
Purpose ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Application Procedure ........................................................................................................ 3
Elements of an Outdoor Dining Area ................................................................................ 4
Chapter 1: Barriers. ........................................................................................................ 5-13
1.1 Barrier Designs ..................................................................................... 6-9
1.2 Barrier Measurements ...................................................................... 10
1.3 Access Openings ................................................................................ 11
1.4 Planters ........................................................................................................... 12-13
Chapter 2: Furniture and Fixtures .............................................................................. 14-18
2.1 Types of Furniture and Fixtures ...................................................................................... 14
2.2 Tables and Chairs .......................................................................................................................... 15
2.3 Umbrellas ............................................................................................. 16
2.4 Lighting ................................................................................................. 17
2.5 Electric Heaters, Generators, Fuel Fired Appliances ................. 17
2.6 Sidewalk and Parklet Base Coverings ............................................ 17
2.7 Signage .................................................................................................. 17
2.8 Required Clearances ......................................................................... 18
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Purpose
These Outdoor Dining Guidelines provide standards for the use
of outdoor dining areas along public streets City-wide to
maintain an appearance in keeping with the unique
architectural and cultural character of Alexandria’s
neighborhoods and to ensure public safety, emergency access
and pedestrian accessibility.
Central to the process of permitting outdoor dining along
City streets is the necessity of ensuring that furniture and
other items placed along the street will complement the
overall character of the street, maintain emergency access
to hydrants and Fire Department connections and address
pedestrian safety and accessibility standards. This
document contains guidelines for use of outdoor dining
areas, including acceptable furniture and fixtures, on public
sidewalks and public on-street parking spaces, otherwise
known as Commercial Parklets.
These Guidelines apply to all outdoor dining areas that
receive City approval through powers granted by Sections
6-800, 7-1500 and 11-513 of the Zoning Ordinance and
Section 5-2-29 of the City Code. Failure to comply with
these guidelines may constitute a violation of the City
Zoning Ordinance or City Code.
Application Procedures
Outdoor dining on public sidewalks and in Commercial Parklets
in public on-street parking spaces are permitted through two
separate administrative approval processes. Access the online
applications for each here:
Outdoor dining on a sidewalk through a
Department of Planning & Zoning application:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/zoning/king-
street-outdoor-dining.
Outdoor dining in Commercial Parklets
through a Department of Transportation &
Environmental Services application at:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Parklets.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
36” to 44”
Elements of an Outdoor Dining Area
Umbrellas
Within
Seating Area
Furniture
Detectable
Barriers
36”-48”
Height
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Chapter 1: Barriers
Dining area barriers (fences, gates, ropes etc.) are visually appealing and help to separate the dining area from the sidewalk and/or travel lane. All barrier material must
be maintained in good visual appearance, without visible fading, dents, tears, rust, corrosion, or chipped or peeling paint.
Illustration of leading edge and parallel edge of barriers
Leading
Edge
Leading
Edge
Barriers are required in the following instances:
a) Required for Leading Edge of All Dining Areas: A
detectable barrier is required for the leading edge of all
outdoor dining areas to ensure that visually impaired
pedestrians using canes can detect the dining area safely.
The leading edge, illustrated at left, is defined as the
section of a dining area that is at or near a perpendicular
angle to the building wall and/or curb line.
b) Required for Full Perimeter of Some Dining
Areas: A detectable barrier is required for the full
perimeter (with the exception of access openings and
the curb side for Commercial Parklets) when the
outdoor seating area extends more than 3 feet into the
public right of way. The perimeter includes both the
leading edge and parallel edge.
Restaurants which do not serve alcohol and whose
outdoor seating area extends less than 3 feet into the
public right-of-way are not required to enclose the full
perimeter of the seating area, but may do so on an
optional basis.
c) Required for Full Perimeter of All Outdoor
Dining Areas Serving Alcohol: State law requires
that outdoor dining areas where alcohol is
served or consumed must enclose the area, with only one
opening to the sidewalk for access.
Note: Outdoor
dining areas located near the
sidewalk curb must leave at least two feet of
unobstructed sidewalk depth b
etween the curb
a
nd the outer dimension of
the
outdoor dining area if not next to a
Commercial Parklet.
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Acceptable sectional fencing design
1.1 Barrier Designs
A wide variety of styles and designs are permissible for outdoor dining area barriers:
Sectional Fencing: Sectional fencing (generally
defined as rigid fence segments that can be placed
together to create a unified fencing appearance) is a
desirable solution for outdoor seating areas using
barriers. Such fencing is portable, but cannot be
easily shifted by patrons or pedestrians, as can less
rigid forms of enclosures.
Sectional
fencing must be of metal (aluminum, steel,
iron,
or similar) or of wood construction and must
be of a
neutral or dark color. Wood barriers must
be
painted or stained.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Rope or chain barrier must have a minimum diameter of 1 inch
Stanchion base must be flat
and no more than 1/2”
above sidewalk surface
Domed stanchion bases
are not permitted
1.1 Barrier Designs
Rope or Chain Rails
: Rope or chain-type barriers
(generally defined as enclosures composed of a rope
or chain suspended by vertical elements such as
stanchions) are permitted if they meet the following
guidelines:
• One-inch Rope/Chain Diameter:
Must designed to be able to be disconnected
rapidly without the use of tools.
• Posts: Vertical support posts (stanchions,
bollards, etc.) must be constructed of wood
or
metal (aluminum, steel, iron, or similar).
Planters may also serve as vertical supports.
• Flat Stanchion Base to measure no more
than one-half (½) of an inch above the
sidewalk or Parklet surface. No domed
stanchion bases are permitted.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Acceptable sectional fencing design: freestanding
1.1 Barrier Designs
Freestanding: any permitted barrier must be
freestanding, without any permanent or temporary
attachments to buildings, sidewalks or other
infrastructure. The edge barrier must be easily
removable by one person.
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Fabric inserts are not permitted to be used as part of a barrier
1.1 Prohibited Barrier Designs
Prohibited Barrier Styles:
• Fabric or Plexiglass Inserts: Fabric or
plexiglass inserts of any size are not
permitted to be used as part of a barrier.
• Chain-link and Other Fencing: The use of
chain-link, cyclone fencing, chicken wire or
similar appurtenances is prohibited. Materials
not specifically manufactured for fencing or
pedestrian control (including but not limited
to
buckets, food containers, tires, tree stumps,
vehicle parts, pallets, etc.) and not expressly
permitted elsewhere in these Guidelines may
not be used as components of a barrier.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Sectional fencing
barrier height must be
at least 36” and no
taller than 48 inches
How to measure rope/chain distance from ground
1.2 Barrier Measurements
To
ensure their effectiveness as pedestrian control devices and their detectability for persons with visual impairments, barrier
s must meet
the following measurement guidelines:
Height: The highest point of a barrier (such as a
stanchion)
must measure at least 36 inches in
height,
not to exceed 48
inches.
“Open” Appearance
: Where fences or other
perimeter enclosures
on sidewalks with a height
between 36” and
48” must be at least 50 percent
open (see
-through) in order to maintain visibility of
street
level activity. Any enclosure with a height
over
48” must be at least 80 percent open (see-
through).
Maximum Distance from Ground
: All barriers
must be detectable to visually impaired pedestrians
who employ a cane for guidance. Therefore
, the
bottom of ba
rriers must be no greater than 27
inches above the sidewalk surface.
• How to Measure Rope/Chain Distance
from Ground: In the case of a rope or chain
enclosure, the rope/chain must not exceed 27
inches in height when measured 12 inches or
more away from a vertical post (stanchion,
bollard or other such support).
min. 36”
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Minimum access width is 44 inches
1.3 Access Openings
Minimum Access Width: Any access opening
within the barrier must measure no less than 44
inches in width.
Location: Access openings should be placed in a
location that will not create confusion for visually
impaired
pedestrians.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
1.4 Planters
Acceptable planter design
and material
Height of plants
may not exceed 8’
Planters
may be used in addition to or in
place of other barrier designs. In addition,
planters
may be used in situations where no
barrier is required (for example, where the
outdoor dining area does not extend more
than
three feet into the sidewalk) in order to provide
added visual interest and create a more
attractive and welcoming atmosphere.
Planters
must be easily moved by one person and
shall
not create a continuous barrier that cause an
obstruction to Fire Department access.
Planters and the plants contain
ed within them
must meet the following requirements:
Maximum Height of Planters: Planters may not
exceed a height of
48 inches above the level of the
sidewalk. (This pertains only to planters, not the
plants contained therein.)
Maximum Height of
Plants: Plants may not
exceed a height of 108 inches (8 feet) above the
level of the sidewalk.
Matching
: All planters used within a particular
establishment’s outdoor seating area must match
each other and other furniture
by being of visually
similar design, construction, material, and color.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Acceptable planter design and material
1.4 Planters
Planted Material: All planters must have plants
contained within them. If the plants within a planter
die, the plants must be replaced or the planter
removed
from the public right-of-way. Artificial
plants; empty planters; or planters with only bare
dirt, mulch,
straw, woodchips or similar materi
al are
not permitted.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Chapter 2:
Furniture and Fixtures
Outdoor dining furniture becomes a prominent part of the streetscape when used in the front of buildings, and such furniture should coordinate with the high
standards applied to buildings and other improvements across the City.
A wide range of furniture styles, colors and materials are permitted. All furniture and fixtures must be maintained in good visual appearance, without visible fading, dents,
tears, rust, corrosion, or chipped or peeling paint. All furniture and fixtures must be maintained in a clean condition at all times. All furniture and fixtures must be durable
and of sufficiently sturdy construction as not to blow over with normal winds.
Serving stations and other equipment are not permitted
2.1 Types of Furniture and Fixtures
Prohibited Furniture and Fixtures: This
includes
, but is not limited to, serving stations, bar
counters, shelves, racks, sofas, televisions, and trash
receptacles.
Freestanding
: Furniture and fixtures must not be
secured
to trees, lampposts, street signs, hydrants,
or
any other street infrastructure by means of ropes,
chains or any other such devices, whether during
restaurant operating hours or at times when the
restaurant is
closed.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Furniture may be
colored, painted or
natural unpainted
material
Smaller bistro-style tables
Square or Rectangular Tables
: These shapes
allow for
more usable for patrons while at the same
time
leaving more space available for pedestrians on
the sidewalk
. Picnic tables and rectangular tables
longer than four feet
are not permitted.
Smaller Tables Preferred
: Smaller tables work
better than larger ta
bles and are more efficient and
flexible. Although optimal table size varies by each
restaurant’s specific outdoor dining layout, smaller
tables are preferred.
Color and Materials: Tables and chairs may be
colored
, painted, or of a natural unpainted material
(i.e.,
wood, metal, etc.). Some recycled materials,
including
high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics,
may be considered on a case
-by-case basis.
Upholstered c
hairs are permitted.
Matching
: All tables and chairs within an
establishment’s outdoor seating area must match
each other by being of visually similar design,
construction, material, and color.
2.2 Tables and Chairs
Outdoor dining furniture must contribute to the overall atmosphere of the area and be complementary in both appearance and qu
ality.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
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2.3 Umbrellas
Acceptable umbrella design: Solid color, space-efficient, market-style,
canvas
material
All umbrellas must comply with the following conditions:
Contained Within the Outdoor Seating Area:
To ensure effective pedestrian flow, all parts of any
umbrella (including the fabric and supporting ribs)
must be contained entirely within the outdoor
seating area. It may not overhang into the five-foot
pedestrian walkway.
Minimum Clearance Height: When extended,
the umbrella must measure at least seven
feet above
the surface of the outdoor dining area, in order to
provide adequate circulation space below. This
measurement must include not only the umbrella
frame and panels, but also any decorative borders
such as fringes, tassels, or other such
ornamentation.
Maximum Height: Any
part of an umbrella used in
an outdoor seating area may not exceed a height of
120” (10 feet) above the surface of the outdoor
dining
area, in order to avoid causing an undue visual
obstruction of other businesses
Signage or Wording Prohibited: Umbrellas
must
not contain signage
Other coverings such as tents or canopies are
not permitted in outdoor dining areas.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
2.6 Sidewalk and Parklet Base Coverings
The floor of outdoor seating areas on sidewalks should be uncovered
sidewalk material as to provide continuity with the adjacent public right-of-way.
Commercial Parklets must be
flush to the curb with a seamless connection. Parklet decking constructed of wood must be stained or painted.
Prohibited
Sidewalk and Parklet Coverings:
Prohibited
outdoor dining coverings include carpet or other flooring material constructed of fabric, canvas, wool, tile, linoleum, nylon, vinyl, or any
covering that is intended to resemble
turf. Raised decks, platforms, or other such surfaces are only permitted for outdoor dining areas within
Parklets
.
2.7 Signage
Signage is not permitted in outdoor dining areas on the sidewalk or in
commercial parklets
2.4 Lighting
Low
impact lighting may be a part of the outdoor dining area design and follow the guidelines below:
Location:
All lighting fixtures must be completely within the outdoor dining area. Lighting, including string lighting, cannot overhang outdoor dining
areas
. Extension cords are not permitted within the sidewalk and parklet areas, including along the sidewalk or base of the parklet.
Type:
Lighting must be self-sustaining (battery or solar-operated). Power may not be derived from City light fixtures.
P
rohibited Lighting: Spotlights, flood lamps, and freestanding light fixtures or poles are prohibited.
2.5 Electric Heaters, Generators, and Fuel Fired Appliances
Electric
heaters, fire pits or open burning of wood, generators are not permitted.
Propane (LP) Heaters
: These are subject to fire prevention permit approval by the Fire Department prior to installation. LP gas cylinders used for
outdoor heating appliances
must be secured at all times while in use or storage, and cannot be stored or left unattended on the sidewalk, or stored
inside of any building. All combustible materials shall be located away from any source of heat or ignition.
Location:
All fixtures must be completely within the outdoor dining area.
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Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines (11/17/2022)
City of Alexandria
Outdoor dining areas must leave at least five feet of
unobstructed
pedestrian space, including between the
base of barriers. On sidewalks the five-foot passage way
must form a continuous linear path in front of the
business as illustrated in the example.
Required clearance around fire department
connections and fire hydrants
2.8 Required Clearances
Dining furniture, planters,
any permitted signage, barriers and the base of barriers must remain outside these areas:
Five-foot sidewalk clearance
A minimum of five
feet of unobstructed pedestrian walking space must
remain
on the sidewalk. Waitstaff must serve patrons within the dining
enclosure
and not in the pedestrian walk area.
Twenty
-two foot emergency vehicle easement (EVE)
clearance
in roads that have been closed to traffic marked as an EVE.
Three
-foot clearance around all fire department connections.
Five
-foot clearance around all fire hydrants.
A clear and unobstructed path must be maintained between
the street or emergency vehicle easement (Fire Lane) and the
primary means of business entry,
fire department
connections, and fire hydrants
.
Where utility meters are on the exterior of a building, no outdoor
dining or parklet element/component may be within
two feet of the
utility shut
-off.