Garland, TX Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

33 applies solely to the Downtown Historic sub-district (A). A business there may apply for an annual license to operate within a 'Sidewalk Space,' the portion of public sidewalk abutting and spanning the business's own facade (B). Restaurants must run a permitted food service establishment, and any on-premises alcohol service within the Space requires full Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission compliance. The Space itself is capped at the width of the business's front facade and may extend toward the street no more than six feet from the inside edge of the curb, may not block driver sight lines at corners, and must meet the Texas Accessibility Standards.

Subsection (C) bans cooking appurtenances, enclosed spaces, and sectional fencing or barriers, and furniture cannot extend past the approved boundary. Design rules in (D) require the Space to stay open-air with removable tables, chairs and planters built of finish-grade wood, sturdy recycled materials or weather-treated metal; sofas, breakable plastics, unfinished lumber, turf and non-outdoor upholstery are all prohibited, and City staff must review and approve the furniture. Applicants submit a site plan, proposed use and furniture details for City consideration under (E). A current commercial general liability certificate naming the City, with a waiver of subrogation and a 30-day cancellation notice endorsement, is required for the license and every renewal (F).

The license can be terminated for violating its terms, violating other laws, or the City's best interests (G), and it expires one year after issuance; renewal requires an annual compliance inspection scheduled by the licensee (H).