Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls, ID Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Where allowed
Sidewalk contiguous to restaurant
Walkway clearance
At least 4 feet
Furniture type
Must be portable
Governing section
City Code § 8-8-5(E)

Summary

Idaho Falls allows restaurants to set portable tables and chairs on the sidewalk right outside, as long as four feet of clear walkway stays open past the furniture.

(E) Sidewalk dining may be allowed on portions of a sidewalk contiguous to the restaurant providing the food. The tables and chairs must be placed as far away from the public street as possible. The tables and chairs must leave at least four feet (4') of walk way between the table and/or chairs and the edge of the sidewalk or other obstruction, such as a utility pole, fire hydrant, bus bench, planter, or newspaper rack. The tables and chairs must be portable.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Idaho Falls City Code section 8-8-5(E) permits sidewalk dining only on the portion of sidewalk contiguous to the restaurant serving the food. Tables and chairs must sit as far from the street as possible, must be portable rather than fixed, and must leave at least four feet of clear walkway between the furniture and the edge of the sidewalk or any obstruction such as a utility pole, fire hydrant, bus bench, or planter: the same placement and hydrant-clearance standards that apply to sidewalk sales carts under the rest of section 8-8-5.

Violations & Fines

Placing fixed or oversized dining furniture that narrows the walkway below the four-foot clearance violates section 8-8-5(E) and can be treated as an unlawful sidewalk obstruction under section 8-8-3, a misdemeanor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an Idaho Falls restaurant put tables on the public sidewalk?
Yes, on the sidewalk directly next to the restaurant, per section 8-8-5(E), as long as furniture is portable and a 4-foot walkway stays clear.
How much sidewalk clearance must a restaurant leave for dining tables?
At least four feet between the tables/chairs and the sidewalk edge or any obstruction, per section 8-8-5(E).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Idaho Falls

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsPark Event PermitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome Restrictions

All Idaho Falls rules

Compare Idaho Falls to another location·View the Idaho special events & permits overview

Get notified when Sidewalk Dining & Cafés in Idaho Falls, ID changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.