Lawrence, KS Special Events & Permits: Parklets (2026)

Under Chapter 6, Article XII of the Lawrence City Code, a "parklet hospitality area" is defined as a maximum of three diagonal or two parallel on-street parking spaces within the downtown district's right-of-way, licensed to a business for private use such as outdoor seating. Section 6-1203 requires a valid hospitality license before any parking spaces are converted. Section 6-1205(a) caps citywide use at 12 parking spaces per city block; once a block hits that cap, the city clerk places new applicants on a waiting list rather than issuing more licenses.

Section 6-1206 sets the intake procedure: a business must first submit a preapplication identifying the specific spaces sought, and the clerk checks eligibility. If spaces are available, the applicant has 14 days to file the formal license application under section 6-1207, during which the spaces are held in reserve; if the block is already at its 12-space cap, the preapplication is placed on the dated waiting list, and as spaces open up the clerk works down the list in order, giving each waitlisted applicant 14 days to file before moving to the next.

The parklet license fee under section 6-1204(c) is charged per parking space per year and is not prorated or refunded. 00, and Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Department approval are required before the license issues, the same as for other hospitality areas.