Los Angeles, CA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Cafe Rules (2026)

Sidewalk cafe and outdoor dining in the City of Los Angeles is regulated through the LA Al Fresco program, administered by the Bureau of Engineering with revocable permits under LAMC §62.105. The program formalized temporary pandemic-era outdoor dining into a permanent permit framework. A 5-foot wide pedestrian access route must be maintained, generally using the most passable portion of the sidewalk. A 4-foot clear space must exist between dining encroachments (tables and chairs) and obstructions such as power poles, street lights, parking meters, and trees. ADA-compliant passing areas must be provided at 200-foot intervals. Sidewalk conditions must meet specific standards: vertical displacement (uplift) may not exceed 1/2 inch and horizontal displacement (cracks) may not exceed a 1-inch gap; non-compliant sidewalks must be repaired. No encroachments are allowed within the visibility triangle as described in LAMC §62.200. Bus stops and loading zones may not be impeded, with a 6-foot setback from public transit purposes or loading zones. Smoking is prohibited within 10 feet of the dining area per LAMC §41.50. Businesses with temporary authorizations must apply for a revocable permit by July 1, 2026.