Seoul issues sidewalk guidelines for outdoor dining zones

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has released detailed guidelines for its "Moonlight Yahjang" outdoor dining initiative, a nighttime economy project under the current city administration. Businesses in designated zones may set up tables on the sidewalk in front of their shops, but must keep at least 2 meters of walkway clear for pedestrians.

The city issued an administrative notice Monday for the "Seoul Metropolitan Government Guidelines on Road Use for Outdoor Business Areas." The guidelines establish management standards for road use by outdoor dining establishments as part of the Seoul Moonlight Yahjang project.

Under the guidelines, outdoor business areas on roads with separated sidewalks and roadways must maintain a minimum effective sidewalk width of 2 meters after installation to allow pedestrians to pass safely. Where terrain makes this unavoidable, a minimum of 1.5 meters must be secured. The guidelines also specify that sufficient distance must be maintained so as not to interfere with key road facilities such as bus and taxi waiting areas, subway entrances and crosswalks. Businesses must also mark the permitted area on the ground with yellow paint to clearly delineate the boundary of road use.

"These guidelines were newly established as we launched the Seoul Moonlight Yahjang project," a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said. "Some districts had been approving outdoor business areas based on their own ordinances, but there were no unified standards for road use, so the city created consistent guidelines at the metropolitan level."

The guidelines will apply to newly designated Moonlight Yahjang zones. Existing outdoor business areas already approved under district ordinances may continue operating as long as they meet the city's guidelines.

Three districts — Jongno-gu, Jung-gu and Jungnang-gu — currently permit and operate outdoor business areas.

Jongno-gu has designated Donhwamun-ro 11-gil — known as the Ikseong-dong Galmaegi Alley — near Jongno 3-ga Station as its Jongno Mutual Prosperity Street. Under district rules, outdoor dining areas may place only a single row of tables and chairs along the front of the establishment, with the permitted zone marked in yellow paint on the ground. If the area is designated as a Moonlight Yahjang zone, tables would be allowed provided the 2-meter sidewalk clearance requirement is met.

Jung-gu approves outdoor business areas through an ordinance based on the Food Sanitation Act, but has not permitted road use out of concern for pedestrian safety. Should Jung-gu be selected as a Moonlight Yahjang zone, road use would be allowed under the city guidelines as long as a 2-meter sidewalk width is maintained.

"Those who receive road-use permits are also obligated to keep the permitted area and surrounding roads tidy at all times," a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said. "Violations such as exceeding the permitted boundary can result in fines and other measures."

The city will accept public comments on the guidelines through Thursday before finalizing them as a municipal ordinance and distributing them to each district. Seoul plans to launch the Moonlight Yahjang project at five locations this year and expand it to all 25 districts by 2028.