Portland, OR Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- City Administrator / PBOT
- Application fee
- Nonrefundable, separate from permit fee
- Insurance
- Required per TRN-10.21
- Appeal window
- 20 calendar days
Summary
Portland requires a City permit before any restaurant sets up outdoor dining in the sidewalk or parking lane, with an application fee, insurance, and annual fee review.
Any person desiring to make an improvement, do work in, operate a business, or use the street area for outdoor dining purposes must first obtain a permit from the City Administrator as prescribed in this Chapter and Administrative Rule TRN-10.04 and pay the permit fees set forth in Section 17.25.030.
Full Breakdown
Restaurants and other businesses that want to seat patrons or serve food and drink in the sidewalk or parking lane next to their building must first get an outdoor dining permit from the City Administrator through the Bureau of Transportation. The permit application must include the information required under Administrative Rule TRN-10.04, insurance meeting TRN-10.21 minimums, and payment of a nonrefundable application fee plus a separate permit fee set annually in the Transportation Fee Schedule (TRN-3.450). Seating cannot encroach on the clear pedestrian zone.
Violations & Fines
The City Administrator can deny, suspend, or revoke a permit for violating Chapter 17.25 or letting required insurance lapse; a denied or revoked permittee has 20 calendar days to appeal, starting with a reconsideration conference with PBOT's Community Use Permitting Section Supervisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Portland call this a sidewalk cafe permit?
Where do I apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
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