Sidewalk Café/Outdoor Seating

To request this information or any documents noted below in a different format or language, please send a request to sidewalks@cityofvancouver.us. 

Outdoor seating, whether in sidewalk cafes, parklets or street eateries, increases the use of a city’s public space, expands business activity and ultimately, adds vitality to an area.

A Sidewalk Café Seating permit allows businesses to move or supplement their indoor dining with outdoor set ups, such as locating chairs and tables or other approved furnishings along sidewalks and in some locations on-street parking areas.

To apply for a permit business owners will need to email the following to sidewalks@cityofvancouver.us:

• Sidewalk Café/Seating Application (PDF)
• Site Plan – Example template (PDF)
• Certificate of Liability Insurance – Example (PDF)
• Hold Harmless Agreement – Example template (PDF)

Resources

• Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board
• City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry Department
• City Sidewalks
• “Doing Business in Vancouver” Small Business Assistance Program
• Inspiration for your Sidewalk Café Design (design must be ADA-compliant)

For more information, please contact Sidewalk Management/Public Works at sidewalks@cityofvancouver.us.

Files

Street Eats (Parklets and Eateries) Design Standards Sidewalk Café/Seating Permit Application Sidewalk Café/Seating Standards Sidewalk Café/Seating Site Plan Templates Example Certificate of Liability Insurance