Milwaukie Outdoor Seating Grant

*In May 2021, the City of Milwaukie awarded Outdoor Seating Grants to 12 businesses to set up new or improve existing outdoor seating areas*

The Milwaukie Outdoor Seating Grants will provide grants to help businesses set up new or improve existing outdoor seating areas in summer 2021. The purpose of the grants are:

• To support businesses as they adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and continued Oregon Health Authority (OHA) restrictions on business operations
• To increase the number of outdoor seating options in Milwaukie
• To serve downtown Milwaukie and Milwaukie neighborhoods
• To support businesses that are welcoming to visitors and locals with diverse ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds and varied abilities

About Grant Funds Availability

• Up to $1,000 grants to support business set up new outdoor seating areas or improve existing outdoor seating areas. The total funding for the program is $10,000
• Grant funds can only be used for future expenses, not for past purchases. Grant funds can only cover expenses that are made after the funds are awarded. The estimated date of payment for awards is May 31, 2021
• No matching funds are required
• Grant recipients will receive grants as a check, only. Direct deposit will not be available.
• Grant recipients will be required to provide a budget detailing how grants funds are spent and copies of receipts by October 31, 2021

Eligible Businesses and Locations​

• Must have a current City of Milwaukie Business License by time of application
• Must be located in a commercial or mixed-use zone in the City of Milwaukie limits. You can verify whether your business is located in the Milwaukie city limits here. 
• Must not have any current liens or fees owed to the City of Milwaukie
• Preference for businesses that must operate at a limited capacity based on Oregon Health Authority Guidelines and/or Governor Orders at time of application
• Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply
• Not intended for home-based businesses or businesses located in residential zones
• Individual food carts at Milwaukie Station are not eligible. The City of Milwaukie recently invested in shared seating area for the food cart pod to share

Eligible types of seating

• Eligible outdoor seating areas including new or existing:
  • Sidewalk seating
  • Patio seating
  • Outdoor seating area with Temporary Use Permit for public parking spaces
  • Outdoor seating area with Temporary Use Permit for private parking lot
  • Downtown Parklet seating
  • Other outdoor seating areas may be eligible, please discusses with city staff
• City may limit the number of parking spaces used for seating per block face

Seating areas must comply with all other regulations

• Building Code
• Oregon Health Authority guidelines
• ADA access
• OLCC guidelines
• Certificate of insurance
• Give notice to neighbors

Application Details (APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED)

• Complete Outdoor Seating Grant Application
• Diagram of seating area
• W-9
• If needed, completed Temporary Use Permit Application or Downtown Parklet Application
• Applications are now closed. Submit any questions to EconDev@milwaukieoregon.gov

Timeline

• Friday, May 7, 2021 at 5PM - Application Deadline 
• May 14, 2021 - Notification of Awards - tentative
• May 31, 2021 - Grant Funds Awarded - tentative
• Seating areas that need new approvals (building permit, temporary use permit, parklet) may have a longer approval timeline.