As part of an effort to support the local economy, Collier County Government staff has determined that some local restaurants may be able to temporarily establish and/or expand outdoor seating capacity for their establishments with the issuance of a temporary use permit.

Temporary use permits can be issued by the Collier County Growth Management Department through the application process outlined below. These permits may allow restaurants, on a case-by-case, limited basis, to expand the areas available for outdoor seating.

Businesses interested in applying for a temporary use permit can find a link to the application at https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=93180. Completed applications should be sent to front.desk@colliercountyfl.gov. The Growth Management Department Office is located at 2800 North Horseshoe Drive, Naples, and the Immokalee Permitting Office is located at 310 Alachua Street, Immokalee. Although both offices are currently closed to walk-in business, drop boxes and pick-up boxes are available outside for those who are not able to utilize electronic services. Payments must be made electronically or by mail. The fee for a temporary use permit is temporarily waived for qualifying restaurants.

Temporary use permit requests for additional temporary outdoor seating shall be restricted to restaurants whose current zoning specifically allows for such activity and shall be related to the principal commercial activities in operation on the subject property. Temporary use permits shall not be issued to occupy unimproved properties or areas identified as open space, preserve, or landscape buffers.

A maximum of 25 percent of the vehicular use area may be occupied or otherwise rendered unusable by the placement of temporary structures, equipment, and merchandise associated with the temporary use permit, unless equivalent additional off-site parking is provided. Safe ingress and egress shall be provided to the site, including emergency access measures at all times.

If additional dining space is placed within the vehicular use area, a temporary physical barrier must be placed separating the dining from the remaining parking area. If the applicant does not own the vehicular use area, a letter from the property owner or property manager granting permission to utilize the subject area identified within the temporary use permit, during the requested time period, shall be provided by the applicant.

Collier County Government staff will be bringing an action to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 that would allow those restaurants whose current underlying zoning does not allow for expanding outdoor seating to apply for the ability to do so through the Temporary Use Permit process.