Lower Costs, More Opportunities: Portland's Street Activation Fee Waiver Program

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The City has launched the Street Activation Fee Waiver Program. If you operate a sidewalk café within the I-405 loop, you could save over $800 in fees.

Times are tough for restaurants in Portland. Rising costs. Permitting hurdles. Thin margins. Hiring. Portland is a foodie town, and it's an important part of our culture. The Pearl District is home to some of the best places to eat and drink in the city.

At NWCC, we understand the importance of our restaurants (and small businesses in general) that make up our community and we are committed to supporting the small business owners who make our neighborhoods vibrant. That means connecting you with resources that help your business thrive.

According to the city, the goal of this program is to alleviate the rising cost of running a business within the Downtown sector of Portland and to provide more opportunities for businesses to activate the public Right-of-Way.

Read on to see if you qualify, and how to apply.

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What Fees Are We Talking About?

The Street Activation Fee Waiver eliminates four significant costs for qualifying sidewalk cafés:

• $350 Permit Fee

• $10 per linear foot Usage Fee

• $57 Insurance Review Fee

• $450 Application Fee (for new applicants)

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Who Qualifies?

1. Your business operates within the I-405 loop (downtown Portland, west side—from the I-405 freeway to the Willamette River)

2. The business must have only Sidewalk Cafe Seatingin order to qualify for a full fee waiver. A combination of Street Seat and Sidewalk Cafe will only have a portion* of the fees waived.

Requirements:

• Updated insurance documents that meet the City's requirements

• A completed Property Owner Consent form

Review the Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines and Two-Top Table Guidelines (links below):

• PDF file: Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines

• PDF file: Two-Top Table Guidelines

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Have questions?

Contact with questions about your Street Seats or Sidewalk Cafe permits applications.

• Email: OutdoorDiningPDX@portlandoregon.gov

• Phone: 503-823-4026

• Resources to Review Before You Apply:

  • Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines

  • Two-Top Table Guidelines

  • Insurance Requirements

  • Property Owner Consent Form

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Learn More & Stay Connected

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Have questions about community safety, want to learn more about NWCC resources, or become a member? Reach out to Chase McPherson, NWCC Executive Director at chase@nwccpdx.org.