Modesto, CA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit type
- Revocable outdoor dining encroachment permit
- Issuing authority
- City Engineer / Public Works Director
- Clear sidewalk path
- 5 feet minimum from curb
- Crosswalk setback
- 6 feet minimum
- Barrier height
- 42 to 48 inches
- Liability insurance
- $1,000,000 combined single limit
- Max suspension
- Up to 12 months
Summary
Modesto Code of Ordinances § 4-15.103 bars any restaurant from putting tables and chairs on a public sidewalk, court, plaza, alley or street without a revocable outdoor dining encroachment permit issued through the City Engineer. Permits require a $1,000,000 liability policy, a five-foot clear pedestrian path, and annual renewal fees set by City Council resolution.
No owner or operator of a business establishment shall occupy any portion of a public sidewalk, court, plaza, alley or street with tables and chairs for outdoor dining without first obtaining a revocable encroachment permit in accordance with the provisions of this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
The program lives in Title 4, Chapter 15 of the Modesto Municipal Code, rewritten by Ordinance No. in 2013. 109; establishments with fixed barriers must also post a removal deposit. 108(a)(1)), a six-foot setback from any crosswalk, and barriers between 42 and 48 inches tall built of dark-colored decorative metal or one-inch rope or chain. Portable barriers and furniture cannot sit out more than 60 minutes before opening or after closing, while fixed fixtures may stay overnight only if bolted down. Landscape planters are capped at 32 inches, with plants no taller than 72 inches. 203(g). 201). 110).
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit lets the City seize tables and chairs under Section 4-15.401 after giving the business ten business days to comply, or immediately without notice if the setup poses a serious danger. The Public Works Director may suspend or revoke a permit for up to twelve months for rule violations, with citations issued under Sections 1-6.401 through 1-6.509 and an appeal available within five days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put cafe tables on the sidewalk in Modesto?
How much sidewalk space must I leave open?
Can my sidewalk cafe serve alcohol?
What happens if I set up tables without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Modesto
California rules heatmap·Compare Modesto to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.