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1. How long will this program last?

The Open Air Beaverton program enjoyed strong support this summer and businesses and customers have requested that it continue into fall / winter and through next spring / summer.  

Therefore, the Open Air Beaverton Program will last until further notice.

2. Is this program only for restaurants?

The program is for eating / drinking establishments, recreational uses, personal services and retail businesses.

3. Is this program only for downtown businesses?

Businesses city-wide may temporarily expand into private parking lots.  Businesses in Old Town and Beaverton Central may apply to temporarily expand into public street parking spaces.

4. How long will 1st Street Dining Commons be up?

1^st Street Dining Commons enjoyed strong support this summer and businesses and customers have requested that it continue into fall / winter and through next spring / summer.  The 1^st Street Dining Commons is anticipated to last until further notice.

5. What do you mean by tents and canopies needing to be fire rated?

Tents, canopies and any temporary weather covering must be fire-rated for safety, meaning it must be NFPA-701 or CPAi-84 certified.  This certification is usually sewn or affixed to the covering.

6. What is a catalytic heater?

A catalytic heater is a flameless heater, such as a space heater.  They can be electric or gas.

7. Can I build a fire pit?

Fire  pits are allowed in certain areas only and in compliance with the fire code.   Due to smoke and safety concerns, wood fire pits are not allowed under tents or canopies or allowed in public rights of way.

8. What is a pop up tent?

A pop up tent or canopy is defined as a small, portable tent or canopy that is easy to assemble, with a collapsible frame that springs into functional position.

9. Can my tent or canopy have side walls?

In most cases, yes.  However, side walls may restrict air flow necessary for health, block vehicular visibility and affect the location of heating devices or otherwise conflict with the fire code.  Therefore, if not otherwise restricted, it is recommended that 50% of the tent or canopy be left open for air flow.    

10. What is the turnaround time for the approval process?

That depends on what you want to do and where you want to do it.   If you are looking to establish an outdoor expansion on a private parking lot, you can do that without approval, as long as some requirements are met.  If you are looking to expand outdoors in the public right of way or involve most kinds of tents and heaters, you will need written approval from the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and a permit from the City of Beaverton.  These approvals could take 1-2 weeks.

11. What is the application fee?

There is no fee to apply for an Open Air Beaverton permit.

12. Do you provide a list of recommended tent vendors?

No, the City of Beaverton does not provide such a list.

13. Where do I get the orange barriers?

Orange barriers are provided for free by the City for permittees in public street parking spaces.