With the spring weather turning warmer, many Philadelphians are again focused on the city’s outdoor dining options. Outdoor dining areas located on Philadelphia’s streets, termed “streeteries,” have become a known and beloved aspect of the city since their inception during the COVID-19 pandemic. At their pinnacle, more than 800 Philadelphia restaurants operated streeteries. However, in the post-pandemic era, as Philadelphia regulations surrounding the operation of streeteries have increased, the presence of streeteries has significantly decreased. In an attempt to revitalize streeteries, the city has recently undertaken various efforts to expand Philadelphia’s streetery operations. This article provides an overview of the streetery legal landscape, explore recent developments in the city’s regulations surrounding streeteries, and discuss what may be on the horizon for outdoor dining in Philadelphia.

As an early response to the influx of impromptu streeteries in 2020, Philadelphia created emergency outdoor dining regulations to enable restaurants to operate outdoor dining spaces, subject to certain relaxed permitting and inspection regulations. The city’s initial response allowed many Philadelphia restaurants to continue operating during a time filled with uncertainty and constant change, particularly in the dining industry. However, as more restaurants joined the streetery atmosphere, and more individuals began venturing outdoors, the impact of streeteries on their neighborhoods became noticeable. Public concerns around streeteries arose regarding noise, vehicular and pedestrian safety, traffic, loss of parking, accessibility, and uniformity.