Hawthorne, CA Special Events & Permits: Parklets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Hawthorne Code Ch. 9.50
- Permit duration
- 1 year, renewed annually
- Review agencies
- City engineer + planning dept.
- Lapsed-permit consequence
- Nuisance abatement, § 9.50.060
- Failure-to-remove penalty
- Misdemeanor + cost recovery
Summary
Hawthorne has no separate parklet ordinance; sidewalk and curb-space dining structures are permitted as encroachments on city property under Chapter 9.50. Outdoor dining applications route through both the city engineer and the planning department, and an approved permit is good for one year before it must be renewed.
Except for encroachments for the purpose of outdoor dining, the application shall be filed in duplicate with the city engineer and referred to the building department. After such reference, the city engineer shall either approve or disapprove the application. Encroachment applications for the purpose of outdoor dining shall also be referred to the planning department. After consultation with the planning department, the city engineer shall also either approve or disapprove the application. ... B. Approved encroachment permits for outdoor dining shall be for a duration of one year and must be renewed annually. Failure to renew an outdoor dining permit will cause the permit to expire and become subject to the nuisance provisions of Section 9.50.060.
Full Breakdown
50 governs any structure that encroaches on city-owned real property, including easements, and outdoor dining setups on sidewalks or curb space fall under this permit system. 030 requires the application to be filed with the city engineer on city forms describing the circumstances, nature and extent of the encroachment; unlike other encroachments, an outdoor dining application is also referred to the planning department, and the city engineer approves or disapproves only after that planning consultation. 040(A) requires payment of a council-set handling and recording fee before the city engineer issues the permit, and the permit is then recorded with the county recorder through the city clerk, who keeps a permanent file.
The city retains the right to cancel any encroachment permit at any time, a condition written into every permit issued. 060, which gives thirty days after notice to remove the encroachment before the city can remove it and bill the responsible party, or seek a court order and recover attorney fees. 050.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unpermitted encroachment, or continuing to occupy public right-of-way after an outdoor dining permit expires unrenewed, is declared a nuisance under Section 9.50.060. The city gives thirty days' notice to remove it; failure or refusal to comply is a misdemeanor, and the city may remove the structure itself and bill the responsible party for the full cost, or sue to compel removal and recover reasonable attorney fees fixed by the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hawthorne have a parklet program?
How long is a Hawthorne outdoor dining encroachment permit good for?
What happens if I don't remove my dining structure after the permit lapses?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
California rules heatmap·Compare Hawthorne to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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Parklets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle parklets.