LA County extended COVID-era outdoor dining as a permanent program for unincorporated areas through DPW Public Works and DPH. Restaurants apply for sidewalk and parking-lot dining permits under Title 16.40 with ADA, fire-lane, and health requirements.
After temporary 2020-2022 emergency outdoor-dining authorizations, the LA County Board of Supervisors directed DPW and DPH to make Al Fresco-style dining permanent in unincorporated areas. Restaurants now apply through DPW Public Works under Title 16.40 (encroachment permits) for sidewalk dining, plus a parking-lot conversion permit for paved-area service. Reviews include ADA path of travel (minimum 4-foot clear sidewalk), 20-foot fire lane access for LACOFD, DPH retail food approval, alcohol-control buffer zones, and weatherization. Annual permit fees run $300-$1,500 by area. Contract cities like West Hollywood, Pasadena, and Long Beach run their own permanent outdoor-dining programs separate from the county.
Operating al fresco areas without DPW encroachment plus DPH approvals is a Title 16.40.090 violation with daily fines up to $500 plus revocation of food-facility grade. Failure to maintain ADA path or fire lanes triggers immediate cease-and-desist orders.
See how Inglewood's al fresco permanent program rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.