Chandler, AZ Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

City Code § 46-4 authorizes a Class 2 encroachment permit for 'sidewalk furniture such as tables, umbrellas, chairs, benches, planters, and flower pots, all of which must be moveable,' plus awnings, canopies, porte-cocheres, bus shelters and bicycle racks. 2(B) confines the permit geographically: it 'may only be granted for sidewalks adjoining property located in the historic downtown square or within the boundaries of a special area plan adopted by city council pursuant to Chapter 35 (Zoning Code) that expressly encourages sidewalk furniture,' except that bus shelters and bicycle racks may go anywhere.

Furniture can only sit on the sidewalk or colonnade adjoining the building the permittee owns or occupies. The permit comes with hard clearance numbers: a minimum five-foot unobstructed sidewalk width parallel to storefronts, free of any parking overhang, plus a separate five-foot access way to the street and parking; a seven-foot vertical clearance for any hanging or wall-mounted element projecting more than twelve inches; and a bar on encroaching into required parking, landscape areas, fire lanes or ADA access ramps or routes. ' Applicants sign the City's standard indemnification agreement, carry insurance in amounts set by the City Risk Manager, and pay a non-refundable application processing fee set by Council resolution; the Department approves, conditionally approves or denies based on those requirements plus public safety.

If the encroachment cuts into the sidewalk pavement, the permittee also owes the Council-set pavement damage fee and must restore the pavement to City specification.