Green Bay, WI Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Section 10-91 defines a sidewalk cafe as any group of tables, chairs, benches, or partitions maintained in the public right-of-way directly in front of an establishment holding a Class B license, meaning Class B beer, Class B liquor, or a Class B combination license issued under Section 4-3. Before applying for the sidewalk cafe permit itself, an owner must first obtain a revocable occupancy permit through the Department of Public Works, then ask the City Clerk to amend the liquor license premises description to add the right-of-way; that amendment needs sign-off from both the Protection and Policy Committee and the Common Council under Section 4-9.

Only after both steps are complete can the operator submit the sidewalk cafe permit application to Public Works, and the Director or a designee verifies the occupancy permit and the amended liquor premises description before acting on it. The permit stays valid only as long as the same property owner, operator, and Class B license holder named on the original application continues to hold that liquor license and the revocable occupancy permit; a change in any of the three, or a lapse in the liquor license, automatically kills the sidewalk cafe permit.

The Director of Public Works can also revoke the permit outright for a violation of Chapter 4 (Alcohol Beverages) or Wis. ch. 125, for sidewalk occupancy the Director finds detrimental to public health, safety or welfare, or if the City needs the right-of-way back for another public purpose. Revoking the occupancy permit does not touch the liquor license, and losing the liquor license or its amended premises description does not by itself cancel the occupancy permit; each piece stands independently. Permittees must follow every condition attached to the permit and every applicable law while operating.