Kirkwood, MO Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Small seating threshold
- Up to 12 seats, no Special Use Permit
- Larger seating
- Over 12 needs Council Special Use Permit
- Standard hours
- 6:00 a.m. to midnight
- B-1/residential hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Required walkway width
- 6 feet unobstructed
- Initial permit term
- 1 year, then renewable
Summary
Kirkwood lets restaurants use the public sidewalk for outdoor seating under Code § 20-95. Seating for up to 12 needs no separate City approval beyond meeting the section's conditions, while seating for more than 12 requires a Special Use Permit from the City Council after Planning and Zoning review.
§ 20-95. Restaurant outdoor seating. ... Restaurants may utilize the public sidewalk for outdoor seating under the following provisions: a. Seating for not more than 12. Restaurants in commercial districts may provide seating for not more than 12 on the public sidewalk contiguous to their restaurant facility under the following conditions: ... 8. Hours of sidewalk use are limited from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight except in B-1, where it shall be limited from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ... b. Seating for more than 12. Restaurants may apply for outdoor dining on the public sidewalk contiguous to their restaurant facility for more than 12 under the following procedures: 1. The Planning and Zoning Commission and Public Services Department shall review the application and plans, taking into account the criteria of the Zoning Code for a Special Use Permit (as applicable) and the following conditions:
Full Breakdown
Kirkwood Code of Ordinances § 20-95, Restaurant outdoor seating, lets restaurants use the public sidewalk contiguous to their facility for outdoor dining. in the B-1 district), and lighting that will not disturb adjacent property or traffic. Restaurants wanting seating for more than 12 must obtain a Special Use Permit: the Planning and Zoning Commission and Public Services Department review the application against the Zoning Code's Special Use Permit criteria plus parking adequacy, the same furniture, lighting, hours and walkway conditions, and any additional public-safety conditions the Council sets, before the City Council votes to approve.
An approved permit runs for an initial one-year term, renews afterward through a Council resolution without a public hearing on the first renewal, and thereafter renews subject to inspection and approval by Public Services and the Police Department. The renewal and initial permit fee is set by Council resolution, and the Council may revoke the permit after a hearing if the Police or Public Services Department reports a violation of the section or the approval conditions.
Violations & Fines
Section 20-95 sets no separate fine for exceeding its conditions; a restaurant that ignores the seating, hours or walkway requirements is enforced under the City's general penalty, § 1-14, or has its Special Use Permit revoked by the Council after a hearing on written notice from the Police or Public Services Department that the proprietor failed to conform to the section or its approval conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Kirkwood restaurant put tables on the sidewalk without a permit?
What does a Kirkwood restaurant need for outdoor seating over 12 people?
Can Kirkwood revoke a sidewalk dining permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kirkwood
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