West Hartford, CT Special Events & Permits: Parklets (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Director of Public Works
- Term
- annual permit (§ 155-26.B)
- Pedestrian path
- 6 feet minimum, clear of obstructions
- Crosswalk/driveway buffer
- 5 feet minimum
- Bond
- up to $2,500
- Location approval
- Fire Marshal must sign off
Summary
West Hartford allows restaurants to place outdoor dining areas, effectively parklets, in the public right-of-way only with an annual permit from the Director of Public Works under Code § 155-26.B. Conditions include a 6-foot clear pedestrian path, a 5-foot buffer from crosswalks and driveways, Fire Marshal sign-off, and a cash bond up to $2,500.
The Director of Public Works may permit outdoor dining areas associated with established restaurants within the public right-of-way on an annual basis subject to the following limitations: ... A hard-surfaced pedestrian path not less than six feet in width and free of all obstructions shall be provided, running parallel to the street so as to provide an uninterrupted pedestrian walkway along the full length of the parcel of property upon which the outdoor dining area is located. ... Outdoor dining areas shall not be permitted within five feet of a crosswalk or driveway. ... The Fire Marshal shall approve the location of the proposed outdoor dining areas. ... A cash bond in an amount to be determined by the Director of Public Works, but not to exceed $2,500, shall be posted by the permittee and retained by the Town to secure this obligation.
Full Breakdown
Section 155-26.B, amended April 11, 2023, lets the Director of Public Works permit outdoor dining areas associated with established restaurants inside the public street right-of-way, on an annual basis and subject to a detailed list of conditions layered on top of the site plan approval already required under Zoning § 177-37.2. The dining area must leave a hard-surfaced pedestrian path at least six feet wide, running the full length of the parcel, free of all obstructions. It can sit only in the area abutting the restaurant itself, must stay at least five feet from any crosswalk or driveway, and its boundaries must be permanently marked in a form the Director of Public Works approves.
Any fencing around the area has to be sturdy and designed against tipping or unintended movement, and the Fire Marshal must separately approve the location before it opens. The restaurant must also prove it carries liability insurance naming the Town of West Hartford as an additional insured, and post a cash bond, capped at $2,500 and set by the Director of Public Works, to cover any damage to the right-of-way caused by the operation or its patrons. The Town Council may set a fee schedule for these permits by resolution.
A permit can be revoked immediately for a violation, subject to reinstatement once the operator proves full compliance, and the Town Manager, Director of Public Works or Director of Community Development can suspend a permit temporarily whenever the public interest requires it.
Violations & Fines
A permittee who violates any condition of the § 155-26.B outdoor dining permit, such as blocking the required six-foot path or encroaching within five feet of a crosswalk, faces immediate revocation of the permit, reinstated only after the operator proves full compliance. The Town Manager, Director of Public Works or Director of Community Development can also suspend a permit temporarily whenever the public interest requires it, on top of the up-to-$2,500 bond covering right-of-way damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a West Hartford restaurant put tables in the street right-of-way?
Does a West Hartford outdoor dining permit require a bond?
Can West Hartford revoke an outdoor dining permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Hartford
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