Sidewalk cafes in unincorporated LA County require encroachment permits from Public Works and planning approval. A minimum 4-foot clear pedestrian path must be maintained. ADA accessibility requirements apply to all outdoor dining setups.
Outdoor dining and sidewalk cafes in unincorporated LA County require an encroachment permit from the Department of Public Works for any use of the public right-of-way. The Department of Regional Planning must approve the use under Title 22 zoning provisions. A minimum 4-foot clear pedestrian pathway must be maintained on all sidewalks per ADA requirements. Tables, chairs, and barriers must be removed or secured outside operating hours. Food service requires a valid health permit from the LA County Department of Public Health. Alcohol service in outdoor dining areas requires separate ABC license approval and may need a conditional use permit. The outdoor dining area must be within the frontage of the associated restaurant and cannot block fire hydrants, bus stops, or utility access.
Operating without an encroachment permit may result in citations and removal of furniture. Health code violations carry fines starting at $500. ADA violations may trigger federal complaints and fines.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how Santa Monica's sidewalk cafe rules rules stack up against other locations.
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