Cincinnati, OH Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Section 723-14 authorizes the city manager or a designee to grant a revocable street privilege (RSP) for outdoor dining on public streets and sidewalks after a complete application and fee payment. Outdoor dining may sit on sidewalks or in existing parking lanes next to the curb but can never extend into travel lanes or block crosswalks, lane lines, or regulatory signs, and it must be located next to the licensed eating or drinking establishment it serves. Placement rules require paved surfaces only, no blocking of building entrances or exits, and enough clearance to keep alleys, crosswalks, driveway curb cuts, curb ramps, fire hydrants, sidewalk cafés, and bike racks usable, plus unobstructed bus stops, fire escapes, and utility equipment.

Design standards require an enclosing barrier or railing, ADA compliance, and a ban on drilling or adhesive attachments to the pavement without the city manager's written permission. Holders pay a special-use charge set by the city manager, must follow health and cleanliness conditions, may serve alcohol only with a valid liquor license, and must remove the dining area seasonally when the city manager directs. Under § 723-14(b)(1)5, outdoor dining gets location priority over sidewalk vendors when the two compete for the same space, and any operator must immediately clear the area if a police officer or city employee finds it obstructing pedestrian traffic or creating a hazard.