Indio, CA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit type
- Encroachment permit
- Issued by
- Public Works Administrative Authority
- Fee
- Set by City Council resolution
- No permit
- Treated as public nuisance
Summary
Any restaurant wanting to put tables, chairs or dining furniture on a public sidewalk in Indio must first get an encroachment permit from Public Works before setting up.
No person shall establish or cause any encroachment in any public place unless there has been first obtained an encroachment permit therefor from the Administrative Authority, except as may be otherwise provided in this chapter.
(B) The Administrative Authority may issue an annual blanket permit to utilities for purposes of placing, replacing or repairing facilities within a public place in an unimproved area or where the opening or excavation in a paved area does not exceed two feet in width and three feet in length.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Indio has no ordinance written specifically for sidewalk cafes; instead, placing dining furniture on a public sidewalk falls under Chapter 97's citywide encroachment law. Section 97.003 defines an encroachment as placing any object or facility upon a public place in a way that interferes with its normal use, which covers café tables and chairs on a public sidewalk. Section 97.005(A) requires an encroachment permit from the Administrative Authority (the Public Works Director or designee) before any such placement, and the application under § 97.006 must state the location, dimensions and timing of the setup. Permit fees are set by City Council resolution under § 97.007.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit is a Chapter 97 violation; § 97.076 makes it a public nuisance subject to civil, administrative and criminal remedies and abatement under Chapter 95A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Indio have a specific sidewalk cafe ordinance?
Who approves a sidewalk cafe permit in Indio?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
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