NOTICE: Title 14 Department of Transportation Taking Public Comment on Proposed Curbside Commercial Policy (Outdoor Dining) 

NOTICE: Title 14 Department of Transportation Taking Public Comment on Proposed Curbside Commercial Policy The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) is accepting a second round of public comments on the proposed Curbside Commercial Policy. This policy regulates the establishment of dining facilities in parking lanes located within the public right-of-way. Based on the initial public comment period, BCDOT has revised the proposed regulations. BCDOT has reviewed public feedback and made the following additions or amendments to the proposed policy:

• Created new definitions and further clarified existing definitions
• Identified restricted parking zones where BCDOT may consider locating a curbside commercial facility
• Amended language clarifying applicant permit and insurance requirements
• Added curbside facility design requirements in relation to facility proximity to dumpsters, prohibition of a multi-level facility, prevention of traffic and street sign obstruction, and the requirement that facility ingress and egress be on the sidewalk
• Added a provision encouraging a curbside commercial facility to be built using modular design practices to enable practical assembly and disassembly of a curbside facility
• Added a provision that a curbside facility shall adhere to local design standards and adherence will be reviewed on an annual basis
• Added a provision that a curbside facility located within a Floodplain District may be required to implement additional safety measures
• Added additional site plan requirements
• Clarified process of notifying abutting property owners of the proposed curbside facility
• Created a Permit Holder Responsibilities Regulation
• Clarified instances that may result in BCDOT requiring the removal of a curbside facility

The public comment period for the regulation will be open for 30 days ending on January 22, 2023. Feedback received during this comment period will be considered in future updates to the policy.

*The Department has decided to extended the Outdoor Dining Public Comment period until February 7, 2023.

Click here to read the policy

Click here to read the public notice

We encourage you to share your feedback through the following means:

Be sure to include that you are writing or calling to comment on the Curbside Commercial Policy.

Comments may be submitted:

• Send us your comments via email by clicking here.
• By phone at (410) 396-6802 – Front Desk, or

By mail at: Charles L. Benton Jr. Building Department of Transportation, 5th Floor 417 E. Fayette Street Baltimore, MD 21202

WHAT THE FAQ IS UP WITH CURBSIDE DINING?

YOUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE REGULATION?

Curbside dining was put into place as an emergency measure. Having a regulation helps us formalize a process to tackle the challenges of having commercial space on roadways.

WHAT IS A "CURBSIDE COMMERCIAL"?

A Commercial Curbside Facility is an area a business uses that is normally on the road with the Public’s right of way, & would be regulatedby this policy.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM SIDEWALK DINING?

Because Commercial Curbside is on the road with vehicles, it requires different rules than Sidewalks, which are used by pedestrians.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

The revenue from the Curbside Commercial program goes to the Baltimore City General fund, not directly to the Baltimore City DOT

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE COMMENT PERIOD?

We got over 1,000 comments, and over 85% were in support. Many added that it brought vibrancy and liveliness to the streets of Baltimore.

DID YOU MAKE EDITS FROM THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD?

Yes! This was extremely important to us. You can see the new policy, with edits from comments highlighted in the link below.

Click here to read the Outdoor Dining FAQs

Submit your comment below: