Sidewalk Extensions & Streateries Project Page

Georgetown’s streatery program launched in 2021 and fueled Georgetown’s post-pandemic economic recovery. It continues to shape our public realm and has further activated our commercial district – currently supporting outdoor dining for dozens of restaurants. Since installing the streateries and sidewalk extensions, crashes and serious injuries have also been reduced on M Street and Wisconsin Avenue by 50%, making our roads safer and more comfortable for all users.

Four years in, the streatery program run by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) transitioned from a temporary program to a permanent one. To comply with DDOT’s new city-wide permanent guidelines, the BID and food establishments have applied for new permits to keep streateries where desired and approved, while removing sidewalk extensions, bus stop extensions, and streateries that are no longer desired or eligible under DDOT’s new program. For the benefit of the community, below are some changes that we can all expect to see throughout Georgetown.

DDOT’s Temporary Streatery Permit program expired on November 30, 2025. All food establishments must now obtain a Streatery Design Permit from DDOT to bring their structures into compliance with DDOT’s new permanent program. Food establishments are responsible for maintaining and managing all components of their outdoor dining, from permitting to paying an annual public space maintenance fee.

In keeping with DDOT’s new guidelines, the BID secured a Block Permit for M Street & Wisconsin Avenue. While the Block Permit is intended to evaluate existing and proposed curbside uses, the Streatery Design Permit (obtained by food establishments) will show the design and construction details for all outdoor dining features. The Georgetown BID’s Block Permit application was submitted to DDOT at the end of August. Streatery Design Permits are the responsibility of all food establishments,  and have also been submitted to DDOT. New DDOT permits are now in place. For more information on both the Block Permit and the Streatery Design Permit, head to DDOT’s Public Space Activation webpage.

Streatery applications to the Old Georgetown Board were heard in February.

Non-permitted/approved streateries, sidewalk extensions and bus stop extensions were removed throughout the summer and fall of 2025, as follows:

To support the removal of non-compliant streateries, DDOT and the Department of Public Works (DPW) are helping businesses remove the debris of deconstructed streateries from public space. Businesses no longer interested in operating their streatery were required to email streateries@dc.gov by October 1, 2025 to request to be added to the Streatery Debris Pick-Up List. DDOT will notify businesses of their upcoming debris pick-up date. All structures must be fully demolished by their pick-up date and piled neatly within the existing streatery space for pick-up by DPW.

If you are a BID-member business and are interested in a Streatery, or already have one, please refer to the following resources, guidelines, and user agreements:

BID Streatery Use Agreement
Streatery Permit
BID Quick Reference Guide
BID Streatery Winterization Guide