The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) piloted a Parklet Program beginning the summer of 2015. Parklets are an extension of the sidewalk into the street, exchanging curbside road space for additional public gathering space. DDOT’s Parklet Program allows parklets to be installed year-round.
DDOT exercises management and oversight responsibility for the use and occupancy of the public space. Its goal is to achieve and maintain safe and beautiful streets, and the Parklet Program is an extension of this goal. A parklet is a way to repurpose and activate public space in an innovative way, creating space for all users.
Each parklet requires a permit. Permits can be solicited through the Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS) under "Public Space Rental/Annual Permit." Anyone interested in installing a parklet is welcome to apply, including Business Improvement Districts, neighborhood organizations, property owners, or business owners. Applicants must provide plans and documents for their parklets, as laid out in the Parklet Guidelines.
Applicants are also required to schedule a development plan review meeting through TOPS so they can discuss their plans with DDOT staff and receive feedback.
If interested in building a parklet, please refer to the Parklet Guidelines. For questions about the Parklet Program, please contact [email protected].
