316 SPECIAL STANDARDS FOR ENCLOSED SIDEWALK CAFÉS

316.1 Enclosed sidewalk cafés shall comply with the provisions of this section and §§ 311, 312, 313, 314, and 317, Chapter 2 of this title, the Act, and all other applicable District laws, rules, and regulations.316.2 Walls and other materials of an enclosed sidewalk café shall be of incombustible or fire-resistant materials. Awnings or canopies shall be flame-retardant.316.3 Plastic materials used for any part of an enclosed sidewalk café shall have a Class 'C' finished rating as defined in § 901.5 of the D.C. Building Code.316.4 Interior finishing materials for any part of an enclosed sidewalk café shall comply with the D.C. Building Code.316.5 The flooring of an enclosed sidewalk café shall be fire-resistant.316.6 The supporting structure of any enclosed café shall be constructed in a manner that will support a thirty pounds per square foot (30 lbs./ft.²) live load.316.7 When the combined occupancies of the enclosed sidewalk café and the adjacent restaurant exceed seventy-five (75) persons, two (2) exits shall be provided from the enclosed sidewalk café, one (1) of which shall open directly from the sidewalk, public alley, or public space abutting the enclosed sidewalk café, and one (1) of which may open into the abutting restaurant.316.8 If two (2) means of egress are required for the adjacent business property, two (2) means of egress shall be required for the enclosed sidewalk café. If one (1) of the exits is in the center of the enclosed sidewalk café and serves the interior of the restaurant, the required aisle width may be increased to a width approved by the Fire Chief and the Director of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.316.9 No enclosed sidewalk café shall project more than twenty feet (20 ft.) from the building line or occupy more than sixty percent (60%) of the available surface space; Provided, that a clear sidewalk space of ten feet (10 ft.) is provided in the surface space fronting the enclosed sidewalk café.316.10 When required to be unenclosed, the enclosed sidewalk café shall be operated with all of its windows opened and so that the enclosed sidewalk café shall not be enclosed from the thirty-six inch (36 in.) base to eight feet (8 ft.) above the sidewalk; Provided, that structural members that are wider or bigger than ten inches (10 in.) shall not be permitted.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 30 DCR 4346 (August 26, 1983).

Public Space and Safety