Mayor Bowser Reminds All Businesses to Prepare for the Winter Months

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 12/07/2021 12:26 PM EST

View as a webpage / Share
Mayor's Office of Nightlife and Culture Industry Updates

Bowser Administration Reminds All Businesses Who Are Participating in the Streatery program to Prepare for Colder Temperatures During the Winter Months

(WASHINGTON, DC) — Today, the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture and the District Department of Transportation reminds all District businesses to prepare for dropping temperatures and inclement weather. Businesses with outdoor streateries will need to follow guidelines set by District Department of Transportation and DC Fire and EMS when constructing their tents, temporary outdoor structures, or if they will be installing outdoor heaters.

Snow Emergencies and Inclement Weather Notification: In the case of a snow emergency or brine event, business owners will be directly notified by the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA).  Notifications to businesses will be sent out as soon as possible when road pretreatment (salt or brine/beet juice mixture) could occur prior to inclement weather. Streateries on impacted streets should adjust their outdoor operations accordingly. In the event of inclement weather for a brine event,  business owners should prepare their streateries or parklets for the spraying of a salt or brine/beet juice mixture. 

If the weather prediction indicates a significant accumulation of snow, the Mayor may declare a snow emergency. An announcement of a snow emergency declaration will be made prior to the snow emergency going into effect to give businesses time to prepare their expanded outdoor spaces for inclement weather. Streateries, parklets, and sidewalk cafés shall not be used during a snow emergency. At such time, businesses/permit holders should bring in all furniture and other elements within the outdoor dining areas, except for the barriers.

Outdoor Heater Guidelines and Permit Information:

All establishments are required to apply for and receive a permit from the Department of DC Fire and EMS prior to operating their propane heating appliances. Furthermore, applicants are reminded that it is their responsibility to follow all the conditions of the permit and adhere to all applicable guidelines. 

Applying for Outdoor Heater Permits through DC FEMS: 

To apply online for Propane Use: Heating – Portable Outdoor permit: Go to fems.dc.gov.

  1. On the top right hit the link Inspections and Permits (below the search bar). 
  2. At the bottom of the (2) paragraph there is a BLUE link Application for Permits Inspections click that. 
  3. Your Application Type is Permit 
  4. Your Permit Type is Propane Use: BO – Propane Use: Heating – Portable Outdoor. Permit lasts for one calendar year and will need to be renewed every year. 
  5. Fill out all the information that has a Red Star * beside it ONLY. 
  6. List Quantity (lbs.) is how much propane will be used on-site. Providing a site map of the location and placement of heaters and propane. 
  7. All restaurants/streateries using or storing propane will need to have a site inspection before approval and issued their operational permits.

For your reference, please review the Fire Prevention and Winter Heating Information Session slide deck and recording. We encourage you to share these resources widely.

For any questions or assistance with applying online for a permit call (202) 442-4447 or contact Lieutenant John Barnes via email at john.barnes@dc.gov or (202) 727-3650.

For the full list of guidelines and permit requirements for streateries published by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), please visit https://ddot.dc.gov/page/streateries-district.