Port Townsend, WA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Annual street use permits may be issued for those activities that will use the public right-of-way consistent with the intent of this chapter, over the longer term, that do not involve the physical disturbance or alteration of the surface of the street or sidewalk, and that do not substantially or unduly block the use of the street or sidewalk by pedestrians or vehicular traffic, such as vending facilities, sidewalk cafes, off-street structures, streateries, parklets, and other uses that require longer-term authorization. These activities must comply with the underlying zone and typically require inspections, traffic safety devices, performance bonds, comprehensive liability insurance, legal documentation and, on occasion, public hearings before a permit can be issued.

B. Activities requiring an annual street use permit include but are not limited to the following:

1. Newspaper Sales and Private Mail/Parcel Boxes. Commercial structures, other than individual U.S. Postal Service boxes, that use the street, sidewalk or public right-of-way for extended time periods for newspaper sales or the private collection of mail or parcels.

2. Waste Collection and Recycling Facilities. Structures using the street, sidewalk or public right-of-way for extended time periods to collect recyclable materials.