Glendale, AZ Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $0, no charge
- Eligible area
- Pedestrian Retail District, Catlin Court PAD
- Expiration
- December 31 each year
- Required insurance
- $1,000,000 liability, city as additional insured
- Walkway clearance
- 5-foot unobstructed pedestrian path
- First violation fine
- $25 per day
- Repeat violations
- 3 violations = 12-month re-application bar
Summary
Any business that wants to put tables, chairs, or display furniture on a public sidewalk in downtown Glendale needs a sidewalk use and display permit from the city's redevelopment manager. Permits are free but limited to the Pedestrian Retail District and Catlin Court Planned Area Development and expire every December 31st.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Code, it is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or association to use the public sidewalk for any commercial purpose of any kind without obtaining a permit. Permits will be issued only to licensed businesses owning or leasing property immediately adjacent to the sidewalk in the Pedestrian Retail District and Catlin Court Planned Area Development. Such permits may be issued at any time of the calendar year but all such permits shall expire on December 31st of the same calendar year, however such permits shall be subject to cancellation at the discretion of the city pursuant to section 21.3-7 of this Code. No permit shall be issued to any business which is not in compliance with the City of Glendale Municipal Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 115).
Full Breakdown
3-1 makes it unlawful to use a public sidewalk for any commercial purpose without a permit, and permits go only to licensed businesses that own or lease property directly adjacent to the sidewalk in the Pedestrian Retail District or Catlin Court Planned Area Development. 3-3). 3-4 require a minimum five-foot unobstructed pedestrian walkway at all times, a five-foot clear zone at corner sidewalks, items no more than three feet from the storefront, and removal of all furniture indoors at the close of each business day.
3-5). 3-6), but it is subject to cancellation at the city's discretion and expires automatically on December 31 of the calendar year it was issued, regardless of the issue date.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply results in permit revocation and a $25 civil sanction for each day the violation occurs or continues after notice (§ 21.3-7(a)). Any three violations trigger automatic revocation and bar re-application for twelve months. The city may order immediate removal of items that threaten public health, safety, or welfare and revoke the permit outright. A permit holder facing revocation can request an informal review by the redevelopment manager and code compliance manager within five days, and any denial or revocation can be appealed to the assistant city manager within fifteen days; that decision is final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put tables outside my Glendale restaurant?
Where can I actually get a sidewalk permit in Glendale?
How much does Glendale's sidewalk display permit cost?
What happens if I violate my Glendale sidewalk permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
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