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Sidewalk Cafe Permit: State-by-State Guide

Sidewalk Cafe Permit applies to restaurants and cafes wanting to serve on the public sidewalk. Who issues it is the first thing that changes at the state line — sometimes a state agency, often a city or county. Each state page below names the office we verified for that state, or says plainly that we could not.

Typical cost (US range)
$100–$3,000
Typical timeline
30–120 days
Renewal
Usually annual, often tied to the business licence.

Who issues this across the US

51 jurisdictions issue this locally.

What varies: the required clearance, the insurance limits, seasonal restrictions, and whether alcohol may be served outside.

Choose your state

Related filings

Most businesses that need a sidewalk cafe permit end up needing at least one of these too.

Business License