During their Feb. 20 meeting, Waltham’s Traffic Commission voted to approve Ward 8 Councilor Cathyann Harris and Ward 9 Councilor Robert Logan’s 2025 Moody Street Outside Dining Plan. Approval of this dining plan allows restaurants on Moody Street to apply to occupy the parking spaces in front of and adjacent to their frontages, as well as use of the sidewalk, for outdoor dining purposes. 

Some restaurants and shops that were approved for outdoor dining for the 2024 season include but are not limited to: Amuleto, Bistro 781, Common Good Co., Da Vinci Ristorante, Deep Ellum, In A Pickle Restaurant and India Market.

If a restaurant wishes to occupy parking spaces adjacent to their property, they will need written authorization from the appropriate business owners. Furthermore, if a business owner wishes to occupy the sidewalk, their permits must be approved by Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, the City Council and other relevant city departments. Completed sidewalk permit applications can be sent to Waltham’s City Clerk, Joe Vizard. Once a business owner receives their sidewalk permit, they can apply for a permit to use the parking spaces, or parking lane area if applicable. In order to receive a parking spot and/or lane permit, a business owner must receive approval to occupy the sidewalk space. Completed parking spot and lane applications can be sent to Waltham’s Traffic Engineer, Mike Garvin. 

Business owners who wish to use the sidewalk and parking spaces also must fill out a building permit application that includes a set of outdoor seating plans that are drawn to scale. According to Waltham’s city government website, they must include their proposed seating area’s dimensions, table sizes, number of seats, aisle width, egress path and accessibility plans. Waltham’s Building Department’s outdoor dining permit checklist says that plans must comply with the 521 Code of Massachusetts Regulations, which is the “specialized building code regarding access for persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” Once the Building Department approves a business’ plan, the owner can set up their space and schedule an onsite inspection with the department. If approved, they will receive a Temporary Occupancy Permit for the entire outdoor dining season.

Business owners who wish to be approved for outdoor dining must also complete a License Commission permit application in order to serve food and alcohol outdoors. Completed applications can be sent to the Licensing Department’s Administrative Assistant, Darlene Wansiewicz.

The outdoor dining season will take place from May 23 to Sept 1. During this period, two-way traffic will be allowed on Moody Street at all times and there will not be any changes to traffic patterns.