Outdoor dining will resume in Boston by April 1, 2021, Mayor Marty Walsh said Thursday as he announced that City Hall is already accepting applications from restaurants that want to be able to serve diners outdoors, including on public land like sidewalks or parking spaces.

“We saw the benefits outdoor dining can have on our neighborhoods, bringing vibrant streets to our community and fun experiences for restaurant-goers,” Walsh said Thursday afternoon.

He said the 2021 outdoor dining pilot program will run from April 1, or sooner if the weather allows, until Dec. 1, 2021. Restaurants that participated in the outdoor dining program this year must re-apply to participate next year, the mayor said.

When the city made sidewalks, parking spaces and other public spaces available for restaurants to use for outdoor seating and expedited its approval process, Walsh said the city received and approved more than 550 applications from restaurants, including 415 on public property. Walsh said the city will offer one-on-one assistance to restaurant owners this Saturday and next week plans to offer virtual help sessions.

Some city and business leaders have also rallied around the idea as a way to make the city more pedestrian-friendly and economically vibrant.

More information and applications can be accessed at www.boston.gov/2021outdoordining.