Fort Lauderdale, FL Special Events & Permits: Parklets (2026)

Article VII-A of chapter 25 creates a standalone permit track for parklets, platforms built over one or more on-street parking spaces that convert them into publicly accessible seating and open space next to a sponsoring business. Sec. 25A-182 makes it unlawful to operate a parklet in the public right-of-way without both a department permit and an executed 'parklet revocable license,' though a compliant parklet is not treated as an obstruction of the right-of-way under chapter 25. The permittee is jointly and severally the qualifying business's owner or operator and the fee-simple owner of the underlying real property, per Sec.

25A-183, and the parklet itself must sit no more than 150 feet from that qualifying business. Sec. 25A-184(c) layers a dedicated $650 annual fee per parking space taken out of service on top of the application and permit fees set by resolution, to compensate the city for lost parking revenue. Sec. 25A-185 restricts eligible locations to streets posted at 25 mph or less (plus named stretches of Oakland Park and Commercial Boulevards), curb-parking locations with a street grade of 5 percent or less, and a defined list of zoning districts including Community Business, Boulevard Business, and the Regional Activity Center districts; the program is capped citywide at 15 approved parklets.

Once approved, Sec. 25A-186 requires the permittee to secure all Florida Building Code and city engineering permits and finish construction within 90 days. Sec. the next day.