Collierville, TN Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Collierville defines outdoor dining as the portion of a building's exterior kept, used, maintained and held out to the public as a place for sidewalk dining, where food, beverages or other refreshments are served for consumption on the premises. In the CB and MU Districts that area can include limited portions of sidewalks within the public right-of-way. The definition also covers placing furniture on sidewalks or patios adjacent to a business licensed to operate as an eating and/or refreshment establishment.

Approval runs through the site plan. The location of outdoor dining must be delineated on the site plan and reviewed and approved under § 151.311. That section sends site plans to reviewers that include the Development Director, the Planning Commission, the Design Review Commission and, for parcels in the Historic District, the Historic District Commission.

The physical standards are specific. The dining activity cannot block or restrict a paved portion of the passageway to less than 48 inches in width, and it cannot block ingress or egress to any building. No items can be placed so as to block a doorway, driveway, crosswalk or counter service window. The operator must also provide adequate off-street parking for the additional seating capacity under §§ 151.115 to 151.117.

An approved dining area does not authorize displays by organizations, establishments or businesses for vending goods, distributing information or displaying goods. Cafe furniture has to be clean, attractive, safe and in good repair, of quality design, materials and workmanship, consistent with the applicable Design Guidelines, and approved or authorized by the Development Department. The code lists prohibited examples: umbrellas or decorative materials that are not fire retardant, pressure treated, properly secured against strong winds or fire resistant; umbrellas, tablecloths, chairs or tables with advertising, signage or other writing; and furniture made of plastic.

Sidewalk sales are a separate program under § 110.05, not a dining permit. The Development Director approves in writing no more than two separate occasions per calendar year, each up to three consecutive days, and a five foot travel width must be kept on the sidewalk.