On March 15, the Oakland City Council passed a series of Ordinances to make the Flex Street Initiative a permanent option for businesses to use outdoor public rights-of-way.
Since launching in June 2020, the streamlined Flex Street permit processes have helped Oakland businesses weather the pandemic by expanding their operations outdoors through 140 sidewalk cafes and parklets, 13 street closures, 14 permitted private spaces and more than 60 mobile food truck permits.
The existing permit programs will remain mostly unchanged and free through July 2023. Businesses interested in expanding their operations outdoors should apply at www.oaklandca.gov/flexstreets
