Longmont, CO Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

A 'business extension' is defined in § 13.37.020 as any extension of a business for use and occupation by customers or employees, above, on or below grade, immediately adjacent to an existing building abutting public property, such as a sidewalk. Before placing tables, chairs, benches, merchandise or any other customer accommodation in that space, the business must obtain a permit under chapter 13.37's general permitting scheme in § 13.37.030, which carries a one-time $50.00 business-extension fee under § 13.37.140. Applicants offering food or beverage service must first secure concept approval from the Boulder or Weld county health department and submit written verification of that approval with the permit application, under § 13.37.080(A).

Any physical barrier enclosing the extension must be removable, § 13.37.080(B), and extensions inside the Longmont Downtown Development Authority district must match its design guidelines, while extensions elsewhere in the city must be compatible with the surrounding development's design, under § 13.37.080(C)-(D). Below-grade extensions must comply with the building code, § 13.37.080(E), fixtures and accommodations must be removed from public property except on permitted dates, § 13.37.080(F), and the extension must be adequately illuminated during business hours, § 13.37.080(G). Merchandise display on the sidewalk itself is allowed only where there's no viable space on the business's own property, is capped at three feet of sidewalk width and 25 linear feet of frontage, is limited to city-specified days, and requires a city-provided window decal proving approval, under § 13.37.080(H). Permit holders must also carry liability insurance under § 13.37.040 and can lose the permit for violating any condition.