Lynchburg, VA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

" The written application goes to the department of public works and must list the business's name, address and phone number; a description and proposed location of the items; the name, address and phone number of the person responsible for overseeing placement and removal; and any other information public works decides it needs to judge whether the items can be safely placed. Public works issues the annual permit only if it decides the items will not endanger the public, and the ordinance fixes hard placement rules: every item on a sidewalk must leave at least four feet of clearance to the curb edge, and nothing may sit within three feet of any public area landscaped with flowers, shrubs or trees.

The permit itself must specify whether the tables, chairs and other items can stay out around the clock or must be cleared away at the close of business each day, and the permit must be kept on site for inspection by city representatives during regular business hours. 1(d) bars using any right-of-way item for advertising, display or sale of alcohol or tobacco, or for consuming alcoholic beverages there. Before placing anything, the business must sign a hold-harmless agreement and supply the city with a certificate of general liability and property damage insurance in a form the city's risk management coordinator approves, naming the City of Lynchburg, its officers and employees as additional insureds. Newspaper vending machines are exempt from the permit requirement outright.