Asheville, NC Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

City Code Sec. 16-146 bars any person from using a public sidewalk or street as an outdoor dining area, or placing platforms, tables, chairs, furniture or seating materials there, without an outdoor dining area permit issued under this section and the city's Outdoor Dining Guide. Only a business or organization adjacent to a city-maintained sidewalk or street may apply; the application and fee go to the city manager or designee for review against the section and the Guide. sec. 1-45. Permittees must carry commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate, keep furniture in good, commercial-grade condition, maintain ADA-compliant access, clear snow, ice, litter and debris promptly, and never permanently affix items to the sidewalk, street or trees without a separate encroachment agreement.

No alcohol may be served or consumed outside the permitted area. Permits run on a calendar-year basis, expiring December 30, and require a new annual application fee under the City of Asheville Fee Schedule; a revised application within 30 days of denial does not trigger a second fee. If an application is denied, the applicant may request reconsideration in writing within 30 days. Operations on NC Department of Transportation streets must also satisfy all NCDOT requirements. The city exempts its own city-sponsored or co-sponsored outdoor events, races, festivals, concerts and parklets from the permit, indemnification and insurance requirements, though not from the Guide's design standards.