Arlington County, VA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Section 70-5 lets restaurants place an outdoor cafe over, under or within the public right-of-way only if it is otherwise allowed by the Zoning Ordinance and Building Code and meets Chapter 70's conditions: nothing may be permanently affixed to the ground except low fences or barriers under 3 feet tall that are removable and leave the surface flush when taken out, the cafe cannot interfere with utilities or infrastructure, and it cannot sit in fire lanes, bike or vehicle travel ways, loading docks, transit stops or emergency access routes.

The Applicant, with the property owner's written consent, files an Outdoor Cafe Plan with the County Manager showing the sidewalk width from building face to curb, tree wells, lamp posts, signal poles, trash receptacles and other streetscape features, and the layout of tables, chairs, barriers and umbrellas, to let the Manager confirm adequate space remains for safe pedestrian circulation. The Manager may approve, condition or deny the application; the license and plan must be posted on site. E, cafes must stay sanitary and free of litter, may not include tents, awnings or signs, and any table umbrella must keep at least 6 feet 8 inches of clearance above the sidewalk.

The license runs only through June 30 of the following year and must be renewed annually; the Annual Fee set by the County Board's fee schedule under § 70-6 is due every July 1, and a Reinstatement Fee applies on top of it if payment or insurance documentation lapses. The license is not transferable to a new owner, who must file a fresh application and pay a new Application Fee. When a license ends, all fencing and barriers must come out and any holes in the sidewalk filled or capped.