TEMPORARY OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM
El Monte has over 300 restaurants representing food from around the world. They are an important part of the local business community and contribute to the City’s tax base. On March 17, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all restaurants in California were prohibited from offering dine-in food service. While drive-thru and delivery options remained available, the restrictions created an extreme hardship on restaurants.
Restaurants in LA County were recently given the approval to offer dine-in service again, provided certain conditions are met. These include wearing face masks, social distancing and limiting seating occupancy to 60% of the pre-COVID levels. The need to maintain a high seating occupancy is seen as crucial for a restaurant to be successful. In an effort to assist local restaurants, the El Monte City Council approved the “Dine-Out El Monte” program, allowing temporary outdoor dining for restaurants and other eateries.
The program includes four types of outdoor dining:
1) Dining on Private Walkways –This includes oversized walkways and other paved areas near the building entrance.
2) Dining on Private Parking Spaces – This could be an option for restaurants located in larger shopping centers.
3) Dining on Public Sidewalks – For restaurants that abut the public right-of-way.
4) Dining on Public Parking Spaces –For restaurants on Main Street in Downtown, where traffic is slower.
Please review the following and follow the instructions to submit an application:
For additional information, contact the Planning Division at: (626) 258-8626
City Hall is open by appointment only. Call the number above or make an appointment with the planner of the day.