Davis, CA Special Events & Permits: Parklets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Municipal Code Section 40.14.120
- Parklet zone
- Zone D, the Enhancement Zone only
- Required agreement
- Downtown Outdoor Dining License Agreement
- Furnishing rules
- Council-adopted Furnishing Standards and Guidelines
- Old permits expire
- July 1, 2026
- Adopted
- Ordinance 2668, November 12, 2024
Summary
Davis lets downtown restaurants and property owners extend into the public right-of-way for parklets, but only within the sidewalk's designated "Enhancement Zone" and only under a Downtown Outdoor Dining License Agreement with the city, per Municipal Code Section 40.14.120.
Zone D: Enhancement Zone: ... The space immediately next to the sidewalk and can accommodate a variety of uses including parklets, bicycle facilities, and green infrastructure. For the purpose of this section, the Enhancement Zone shall not exceed the minimum area needed to provide emergency vehicles access. ... Design Standards. All furnishings placed in the eligible public spaces for outdoor dining described in subsection (b) shall be consistent with the provisions set out in the Downtown Outdoor Dining Furnishing Standards and Guidelines, which shall be adopted by resolution of the city council. ... License Agreement. All parties must enter into a Downtown Outdoor Dining License Agreement with the city to utilize any portion of a public right-of-way, public property, or urban open space for outdoor dining in the downtown zones.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4915048; v22 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
" Any furnishings placed in these eligible outdoor spaces must comply with the Downtown Outdoor Dining Furnishing Standards and Guidelines, adopted and updated by city council resolution (subsection c). Every operator must sign a revocable Downtown Outdoor Dining License Agreement with the city, which the city manager is authorized to execute (subsection d). Outdoor dining or parklet agreements signed before this section's effective date expire on July 1, 2026 (subsection e), so businesses with legacy sidewalk permits must transition to the new license.
Violations & Fines
Installing or maintaining a parklet in the public right-of-way outside Zone D, or without a current Downtown Outdoor Dining License Agreement, is an unauthorized use of city property under Section 40.14.120; a pre-2024 outdoor dining or parklet permit not converted to the new license format expired automatically on July 1, 2026, and the city manager can revoke a license for noncompliance with the zone limits or furnishing standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any Davis restaurant put a parklet in the street?
What counts as a "parklet" under Davis's code?
Do older sidewalk dining permits still work?
Who sets the design rules for parklet furniture in Davis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis
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