Since outdoor spaces have become one of the last refuges for businesses reeling from the pandemic, San Jose is making it easier for business owners to take advantage of the city’s public parks, plazas and parking lots.

The San Jose City Council this week approved waiving fees and expediting the application process for businesses — such as restaurants, hair salons, fitness studios and retail shops — to operate in some of the city’s underutilized public outdoor spaces.

The council’s decision marks the latest adaptation to San José Al Fresco — a plan introduced by Mayor Sam Liccardo and Councilmember Dev Davis in early May to help businesses struggling from the economic fallout of forced closures and reduced operations due to the pandemic and corresponding public health orders.

Last month, the city shut down its first street to vehicular traffic — San Pedro Street between Santa Clara and St. John streets — to allow restaurants along the street to expand their dining capacity.

“Our entrepreneurs in San Jose are innovative and they’re trying desperately to figure out a way to save their businesses and continue operations in this turbulent environment,” San Jose City Councilwoman Dev Davis said during the council meeting. “So I appreciate all you (city staff) are doing to make sure they have opportunities outdoors for as long as we have our beautiful summer and fall weather.”

Eligibility for the extended outdoor options depends on the type of business, location and public outdoor space desired. Here is what businesses need to know.

Parking lots 

The first parking lot that will be available for businesses to stake a claim in will be on Minnesota Avenue, just west of Lincoln Avenue. Any business within a quarter-mile of the parking lot will be eligible for a spot on a first-come, first-serve basis. City staff is in the process of identifying additional city parking lots that would be suitable for the program.

Access to the city-owned parking lot will be provided through a Right of Entry Agreement, which will cost a business $1 and run through the end of the public health emergency, according to the city.

Parks or plazas

Businesses may apply to expand their outdoor operations into a nearby public park or plaza, but they must meet certain criteria.

In the downtown core, a restaurant must be adjacent to the requested park or plaza to be eligible to operate in it. All other downtown businesses, such as hair salons, fitness studios and retail shops, must be within a quarter-mile of the park or plaza.

Any business that wants to use a park outside of the city’s downtown core only has to be located within a three-mile radius of the park.

Under the program, no more than a quarter of the total area of a park can be used for business operations. Businesses won’t be allowed to operate within 50 feet of any residential property.

Although the city has not specified which public parks are eligible for the program, city plazas, such as Fountain Alley, Hammer Theatre Plaza, the Circle of Palms, and Parque de los Pobladores in downtown San José were specifically listed out by the city.

For more information about the program or to apply for a permit, click here.