Palmdale, CA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Palmdale Municipal Code Sec. 100 governs any outdoor dining area, defined as tables and chairs with authorized shade or accessory devices maintained on private property, a private sidewalk, or the public sidewalk in connection with food and beverage sold from an adjoining restaurant. An outdoor dining area on the public sidewalk must be immediately adjacent to and abutting the associated restaurant, and its length cannot extend beyond the restaurant's actual street-side or interior property line. A minimum of 3 feet of clear width, or 50 percent of the sidewalk width (whichever is greater), must remain free of obstructions to satisfy ADA pedestrian movement requirements.

Any dining area placed within the public right-of-way must carry liability insurance to the satisfaction of the City Engineer and is subject to a separate encroachment permit in addition to the outdoor dining approval; alcohol service triggers the additional standards of PMC Sec. 020. All furniture, including tables, chairs, umbrellas, and planters, must be movable unless the area sits on private property outside the right-of-way, and umbrellas require a base weighing at least 60 pounds. Tables and chairs must be set back at least 3 feet from any curb, street, or barrier, and cannot sit within 8 feet of a designated bus stop.

No outdoor food preparation or pre-set table service is allowed, and hours of operation must match the adjoining restaurant unless the Review Authority reduces them. 87 parking standards apply. New outdoor dining is reviewed with the restaurant's application, while an addition to an existing restaurant goes through minor modification review under PMC Sec. 040.