Los Angeles, CA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date
- January 31, 2024
- Applicable zones
- RAS, C, and M zones (wherever restaurants are allowed)
- Maximum enclosure
- 75% (up to 100% if roof coverage ≤ 25%)
- Music / entertainment
- Background music, speakers, live entertainment, DJs all prohibited
- Hours near residential zone
- No later than 10:30 p.m. Sun–Thu; 11:00 p.m. Fri–Sat
- Right-of-way dining
- Requires revocable permit
Summary
Under the 2024 Al Fresco Ordinance, eligible Los Angeles restaurants in commercial and RAS zones may operate outdoor dining areas without a separate CUP, but must prohibit music and entertainment and close by 10:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. near residential zones.
24. Outdoor Dining Area Regulations for Restaurants (Al Fresco Ordinance). (Added by Ord. No. 188,073, Eff. 1/31/24.) (a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish eligibility, development, and operational standards to facilitate Outdoor Dining Areas to support public health, safety, and welfare. (b) Applicability. Outdoor Dining Areas on private property in all RAS, C, and M zones, or wherever restaurants are allowed, shall be permitted pursuant to the regulations in this Subsection. (d)(1) Development Standards, Operational Requirements and Prohibitions. (ii) Background music and speakers are prohibited in Outdoor Dining Areas. (iii) Television monitors and other similar audiovisual devices are prohibited in Outdoor Dining Areas. (iv) Live music, live entertainment including but not limited to disc jockeys, karaoke, dancing, pool tables, billiard tables, and adult entertainment uses are prohibited in Outdoor Dining Areas. (v) An Outdoor Dining Area shall operate no later than 10:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and no later than 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, if abutting or across an alley from a residential zone, not including the RAS zone.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 12.21 A.24, effective January 31, 2024, permits outdoor dining areas on private property in all RAS, C, and M zones for restaurants with a certificate of occupancy. Enclosures may not cover more than 75% of the dining area (up to 100% if roof coverage is 25% or less). Background music, speakers, televisions, live music, DJs, karaoke, dancing, and adult entertainment are all prohibited. Hours are capped at 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday when the area abuts or is across an alley from a residential zone. Outdoor dining in the public right-of-way requires a revocable permit.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply constitutes a violation of the Al Fresco Ordinance, potentially resulting in citation, fines, or revocation of deemed-approved status. LADBS provides an after-hours hotline for complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my restaurant open an outdoor patio without a CUP?
Can I play background music in my outdoor dining area?
What are the closing hours for outdoor dining near a residential zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
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