In response to initial health order directives prohibiting indoor dining, outdoor dining has become an essential option for local eateries to sustain themselves while safely serving the community.
With the goal of providing financial assistance to local eateries to support installing new temporary outdoor dining options, the Menlo Park City Council has collaborated with the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce and the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA) to develop a temporary outdoor dining grant program.
The approved program will award one-time business grants to install new temporary outdoor dining tables, chairs, heat lamps, umbrellas, platforms and ramps. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to eligible applicants, up to an aggregate of $100,000 for all grants.
Eligibility requirements
Eateries must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Applicant is a properly licensed and permitted businesses that serve food and beverages and are located in the City of Menlo Park’s corporate boundaries (pop ups, hotel restaurants without businesses licenses, and food trucks are NOT eligible)
Applicant has operated lawfully on or before the proclamation of a local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, March 11, 2020, and were still operating as of December 8, 2020
Eateries that have changed ownership after March 11, 2020, and were still operating as of December 8, 2020, are eligible
Applicant is an independent brand that has no more than five locations in San Mateo County, regardless of same or different ownership
Applicant is in full compliance with all local regulations including but not limited to County environmental health regulations, city/county planning, building, public works, business license, and local minimum wage ordinances.
Valid city business license
Valid certificate of occupancy from San Mateo County Health
Current inspection grade of “C” or better
No active code violations
No active COVID-19 health order violations
Government-issued photo identification for business owner (s)
Undocumented businesses owners may also apply
The following factors render a business ineligible:
Incomplete applications
Businesses with active applications or approved grants from any of the following:
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center $3.5 million program for County of San Mateo Phases I and II
San Mateo Credit Union Community Fund $1 million program for San Mateo County Strong Fund Small Business Grant Program Phase II
Previous grant funding through the City of Menlo Park 5:5 grants or contributions toward the construction of new temporary outdoor dining options
Businesses with active code violations or COVID-19 health order violations
Home based businesses and independent contractors such as catering companies, cottage food operators and microenterprise home kitchen operations
Pop ups and food trucks
Corporate-owned franchises
Operating within a hotel without a separate business license
Unlicensed and unpermitted businesses
Please fill out the application form if you believe your restaurant meets the eligibility requirements detailed above and you will be contacted by a member of the program team.
