Outdoor Operations Grant Program

BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS

Eligibility criteria includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Must be physically located in the City of Dublin
• Must possess a valid City of Dublin Business License (as of March 1, 2021) 
• Must be in good standing with the City
• Must be an eating or drinking establishment (i.e., restaurant, bakery, bar, brewery, café, coffee/tea, etc.) or
• Must be a retail establishment (which sells goods/merchandise to the general public - to be considered on a case-by-case basis)
• Must NOT be a corporately-owned chain/franchise store
• Must NOT be a home-based business or hotel

EXAMPLES OF ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

Examples of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to the following:

• Furniture
• Tents, canopies, shade sails, umbrellas, and other weather protection
• Lights, heaters, plexi-shield, safety barricades, etc.
• Physical improvements to install a take-out/pick-up window, patio, deck, shade structure, wheelchair accessible ramp, etc.
• Digital technology equipment and/or services (i.e., online or contactless ordering or payment systems, upgrades to Wi-Fi, etc.) (limit of up to $5,000)
• City application fees (Staff time and materials)
• Dublin San Ramon Services District sewer capacity fees on a case-by-case basis 
• Cost of architecture/design services, etc. (available only to permanent outdoor operation applicants with a limit of up to $5,000)

APPLICATION AND PROGRAM PROCESS

The application process must be completed in the order outlined below.

1. Submit Application.  The applicant must be the business owner.  Submit a completed application via DocuSign detailing all planned improvements and an itemization of planned purchases that includes the price and quantity of each item, and the total project cost. Be as specific as possible. Not all items may be eligible.  The list will be reviewed by City of Dublin staff to determine the eligibility of each item.   
2. Community Development Department Review.  Your application will be referred to the Community Development Department for Staff review prior to being approved or accepted into the program.  If required, applicants will meet with representatives from Planning & Building to review the entitlement process & building permit process and to answer any questions that the applicant may have.  If planning approval is required, the applicant is responsible for submitting project plans prepared by a licensed architect through the Planning Division. If a Building Permit is required, the applicant is responsible for submitting plans that meet all Code requirements through the Building Division.
3. City Staff Application Review. As part of steps 1 and 2 above, Staff will review the application with the applicant, discuss the scope of work, determine a timeline and review the remaining process for the grant.
4. Grant Reimbursement Funds Reserved. Upon approval of a grant application, including scope of work and timeline, a statement of certification will be signed between the applicant and City.  This statement of certification certifies that the applicant agrees to the approved project scope, timeline, and program terms, conditions, and requirements. Grant reimbursement funds will then be reserved for the applicant.
5. Complete Work. After receiving all required approvals and permits the applicant shall complete the project work within three (3) months for long-term temporary outdoor operations and within nine (9) months for permanent outdoor operations.  The applicant shall be responsible for contacting City staff to request an extension if necessary. An extension is not guaranteed.
6. Submittal of Final Documentation.  Once the project work has completed, the applicant must provide a final expense claim form and receipts for all items listed on the claim form.  The expense form must include every item being claimed for reimbursement, including the date of the purchase, item description, vendor (where purchased), and amount for each expense.  A sample form for use will be available on this webpage.  The applicant must also provide copies of receipts for all items listed on the expense claim form.  Each receipt must clearly show vendor name, date of purchase, item purchased, purchase price, etc.  It is acceptable to block out confidential information such as credit card or bank account routing numbers, however, the receipt must show the applicant's business as the purchaser.  A sample form for use will be available on this webpage.   
7. Disbursement of Funds. Grant reimbursement funds will be disbursed once the project has been completed and signed-off by City Departments.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Applications are being accepted  on a first-come, first-served basis, and will then be accepted on a rolling basis until funding has been exhausted.  

MORE INFORMATION

If you have additional questions about the Outdoor Operations Grant Program, please contact the Office of Economic Development via email or call Rhonda Franklin at 925-833-6650.