Bothell, WA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Director of public works or designee
- Clear sidewalk width
- At least five feet, measured to the street side
- Longer term permit
- Up to one year, renewable annually or for multiple years
- Dining allowed in zones
- NB, CB, GC and LI under the BMC § 12.06.060 table
- Insurance
- General liability certificate naming the city as additional insured
- Appeal
- To the city manager within three days of the decision
Summary
Outdoor dining furniture goes on a public sidewalk in the City of Bothell, Washington under a public area use permit issued by the director of public works, with a minimum of five feet of unobstructed sidewalk kept clear at all times. Ongoing outdoor dining can receive longer term permits of up to one year, renewable annually or for multiple years.
All permits shall be issued by the director of public works or designee. ... B. In the event the requested permit involves encroachment or partial obstruction of a sidewalk or other walkway open to the public, a minimum of five feet of unobstructed sidewalk or other walkway shall be maintained at all times. ... C. Ongoing uses of public areas for uses including, but not limited to, outdoor dining, the vending of mobility devices, and merchant displays may be issued longer term permits, up to one year, which shall be renewable annually or for multiple years;
Full Breakdown
Two parts of the Bothell Municipal Code work together. BMC § 17.20.010 says no person shall use any public right-of-way, street, sidewalk or other public place without a public area use permit, and BMC § 17.20.040 sets what the permit must contain. Within the restaurant use table of BMC § 12.06.060, on-site dining, indoor and outdoor, is permitted in the NB, CB, GC and LI zones and not permitted in the OP, R-C, R-L1, RL2, RM1 through RM3, R-M4, R-MHP and R-AC columns. Condition B.1 of that section adds that outdoor seating, tables, umbrellas and other appurtenances of outdoor dining can be placed on public sidewalks, provided a minimum sidewalk width of five feet measured to the street side of the sidewalk is kept clear for pedestrians.
The application goes to the director of public works on the department's format. It carries a full description of the use and its duration, and evidence that the applicant either owns or is entitled to possession of the property adjoining the public place. Under BMC § 17.20.040, the permit issues only if the proposed use does not protrude into or over any part of the public place open to vehicle or pedestrian travel in a way that endangers its use, the applicant signs an indemnification agreement to defend and hold the city harmless, the applicant authorizes inspections reasonably necessary to enforce the chapter, and the applicant meets any other conditions the director sets, including applicable design standards. All conditions are subscribed on or attached to the permit. Under BMC § 17.20.080 the permittee also provides a certificate of general liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured for as long as the use of public space is in place.
Special events that need a special event permit under Chapter 5.06 BMC are exempt from the public area use permit under BMC § 17.20.020. A decision approving, denying or revoking a sidewalk permit can be appealed to the city manager by filing with the city clerk within three days of the director's decision.
Violations & Fines
A public area use permit in the City of Bothell is temporary and vests no permanent right. The director can revoke it immediately for violating any permit term, without notice if the use becomes dangerous or an obstruction becomes unsafe, or on 30 days' notice if the permit had no specified period. If the use continues after revocation, the city can remove the obstruction and assess the cost, including professional fees, against the permittee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put tables on a sidewalk in the City of Bothell?
How long does a Bothell sidewalk dining permit last?
How much sidewalk must stay open around Bothell outdoor dining?
Who do I appeal to if Bothell denies a sidewalk permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bothell
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Sidewalk Dining & Cafés in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle sidewalk dining & cafés.