Lauderhill, FL Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Section 5.32.1.C of the Lauderhill Land Development Regulations governs outdoor seating as an accessory use to a restaurant or restaurant bar. The City Manager may grant, grant with conditions, or deny an administrative development order allowing the outdoor placement of tables, benches and chairs. An applicant must submit an application and fee along with an outdoor floor plan showing the location of the furniture and the width of the walking aisles, an indoor floor plan showing uses and square footage, and a parking inventory; the City Manager weighs whether an accessible route exists and whether sufficient parking remains available before deciding.

Outdoor seating carries its own parking ratio under Section 5.32.1.C.5: one parking space for every three outdoor seats, calculated separately from the restaurant's indoor parking requirement. The approval is not permanent. Section 5.32.1.C.3 lets the City Manager repeal a previously granted development order if the outdoor seating is found to have an adverse impact on public safety, health or general welfare, and three or more police incidents attributable to the outdoor seating within a single year establishes a prima facie case for that repeal. A restaurant owner, or any other affected person construed broadly to protect public safety, health and welfare, can appeal either the initial City Manager decision or a repeal to the City Commission sitting as the Board of Adjustment under Section 5.32.1.C.4.