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

Outdoor dining on Elyria's downtown sidewalks runs through a permit created by the Elyria City Council in § 521.04(g), added by Ordinance 2009-98, passed April 6, 2009, and Ordinance 2009-108, passed May 4, 2009. The permit is authorized only in the Business-Downtown Zoning District, from April 1 through November 1 of each year, and it is renewed annually.

Application goes to the Safety Service Director on the forms, procedures and fee or fees the Director establishes. The application includes a dimensioned plan showing the layout of the dining area and the existing sidewalk conditions, including sidewalk width from the building face to the curb, the location and dimensions of tree wells, and the location of light posts, trash receptacles and other sidewalk features. The plan also depicts the design, location, size and spacing of the dining area, chairs, tables, fences or barriers, umbrellas, signage and lighting.

The Director reviews whether the proposal is reasonable, attractive and promotes pedestrian and retail activity while keeping adequate space in the public right-of-way for safe pedestrian circulation. Before approval, the Director requests review from the Building Inspector, City Engineer, Fire Department and Health Commissioner. The Director can approve, approve with conditions, or deny.

The standards are specific. The dining area must be adjacent to the property of an existing and lawfully operating restaurant and be kept attractive and clean. It can be open to patrons from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily. No food preparation is permitted in the outside dining area. Tents, banners, speakers and televisions are prohibited. All furniture and fixtures must be readily removable without damage to the surface of the right-of-way, and nothing can penetrate the public sidewalk.

This permit replaced the temporary arrangement noted under § 521.04(c), where a council moratorium on the one-hour sidewalk obstruction limit for B-D Downtown Business District restaurants was extended by Ordinance 2008-71 until November 1, 2008.