Decatur, AL Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Where allowed
- Public sidewalk contiguous to a licensed restaurant in the § 25-175 areas
- Minimum clear sidewalk width
- 60 inches (five feet)
- License term
- Current privilege license year, renewed annually
- Insurance required
- $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate
- Closed hours
- 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. any day
- Approving body
- City council, after planning department review
Summary
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, a licensed restaurant inside the two described downtown areas can use the public sidewalk in front of it only under a revocable annual license approved by the city council. Five feet of clear passage must stay open, and the cafe cannot operate from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Any person engaged in the business of operating a duly licensed restaurant, as defined in section 2.5-1 of the Code of Decatur, a cafeteria or other public place where meals, food or refreshments are prepared and/ or furnished upon premises, licensed for such use, and within the area described in section 25-175(a) and (b) of this article may be permitted or licensed to use the public sidewalk contiguous to such premises as a sidewalk café for its patrons subject to the following conditions: ... (2)The free passage of pedestrians along the sidewalk shall not be prevented, and at least a minimum sidewalk width of sixty (60) inches net clear opening (five (5) feet) shall remain unimpeded. Access to adjacent buildings or uses shall not be impeded. ... (12)A sidewalk café permitted under this article shall not operate between the hours of 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. any day of the week. Hours may be extended on specific days with city council permission.
Full Breakdown
Article VIII of Chapter 25 of the Decatur City Code sets up sidewalk cafes. Section 25-175 establishes two downtown areas by boundary description, and § 25-176 allows a duly licensed restaurant, cafeteria or similar place serving meals within those areas to be permitted or licensed to use the public sidewalk contiguous to its premises for patrons.
The cafe is a revocable accessory use of the restaurant. Tables, chairs and equipment cannot extend beyond the restaurant's outside wall or lot boundary, and no part of the cafe can include a neighboring business, residence or empty lot. At least sixty inches (five feet) of net clear opening must stay unimpeded for pedestrians, and the same five-foot opening must be kept from the center of every cafe entrance doorway. The seating area must be marked by a railing or other delineation that is not affixed to the sidewalk and is approved by the building department with the downtown redevelopment authority and planning department.
The license is non-exclusive and good only for the current privilege license year, so it is renewed annually with a re-inspection by the building department. Applicants file with the planning department, which coordinates review and sends the license agreement to the city council for approval at a regularly scheduled meeting. The application carries a nonrefundable processing fee set by the council, a scaled site layout, an operations plan and the number of tables and chairs. Proof of commercial general liability insurance of not less than $100,000.00 per occurrence and $300,000.00 aggregate is due at application, and the city must be named as additional insured.
Operating rules follow. No smoking, amplified music, speakers, televisions, open flames, food preparation or signs are allowed in the area, and there is no printed advertising on outside furniture. Alcohol service must comply with city and state ABC rules. Equipment must be removed or secured when the business closes, and the county health department must approve the operation.
Violations & Fines
The building department director or police chief can revoke a sidewalk cafe license in whole or in part for a public purpose, a public emergency, sidewalk construction or maintenance, failure to comply with the article, or a danger to public health, safety or welfare. Section 25-26 also fines a chapter 25 violation $2.00 to $100.00 plus court costs, each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a sidewalk cafe operate in Decatur, Alabama?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Decatur
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