Annapolis, MD Special Events & Permits: Parklets (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Dept. of Public Works + City Clerk
- Term
- Up to 9 months (Jan 31–Dec 13)
- Area limit
- Cannot exceed premises' frontage
- Cost
- Fees-in-lieu of parking spaces
- Exempt streets
- Market Space; part of West St
Summary
Annapolis lets restaurants convert City-owned on-street parking spaces into outdoor dining under a Department of Public Works street café permit, valid up to nine months a year and limited to the restaurant's own building frontage.
Where authorized, a restaurant may provide additional seating on City-owned street parking spaces in front of the restaurant for street café dining... A street café permit shall be valid for up to nine months from January 31 to December 13... The area of the street cafés shall not extend beyond the frontage area of the licensed premises of the licensee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2025 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 7.35.070, a restaurant may convert City-owned street parking spaces in front of its own building into a 'street café' for outdoor dining, but only after the Department of Public Works and City Clerk approve a permit application listing the requested spaces, the closest street address, a site image, and a measured site plan. Permits run up to nine months, from January 31 to December 13, and require fees-in-lieu of the parking spaces used. The café area cannot extend past the frontage of the licensee's own premises, though the Public Works Director may adjust the allowed linear footage for extenuating circumstances. Market Space and part of West Street are excluded from the program entirely and instead run on a separate City Manager lease.
Violations & Fines
Operating a street café without a permit, or breaching chapter conditions, is a municipal infraction: citation plus a Council-set fine and costs. Permits are a privilege, not a right, and can be suspended or revoked for cause, including scheduling conflicts or repeat violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a restaurant turn a street parking space into outdoor seating in Annapolis?
Is the street café program available on every downtown block?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Annapolis
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