Redondo Beach, CA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Small dining area threshold
- 150 sq ft or less: Administrative Design Review
- Larger dining area
- Over 150 sq ft: Conditional Use Permit
- Artesia/Aviation Corridors exception
- Administrative Use Permit instead of CUP
- Right-of-way use
- Separate encroachment permit required
- Alcohol rule
- Only allowed with full food service
- Cooking rule
- No cooking or food prep outside a building
Summary
Redondo Beach requires outdoor dining areas attached to restaurants and snack shops to meet design and permit standards under Municipal Code Section 10-2.1622. Areas up to 150 square feet need only Administrative Design Review, while larger areas need a Conditional Use Permit, and any use of the public right-of-way needs a separate encroachment permit.
(c) Permits required. (1) Outdoor dining areas of no more than 150 square feet in area shall be subject to approval by Administrative Design Review pursuant to Section 10-2.2500. (2) Outdoor dining areas greater than 150 square feet in area shall be subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to Section 10-2.2506, except within the Artesia and Aviation Corridors Area Plan area as adopted by resolution of the City Council where outdoor dining areas greater than 150 square feet shall be subject to the approval of an Administrative Use Permit pursuant to Section 10-2.2507. (3) Approval of an encroachment permit pursuant to Chapter 14 of Title 3 of the Municipal Code shall also be required if the proposed outdoor dining area utilizes any portion of the public right-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4889554; v14 updated 2026-05-12).
Full Breakdown
1622 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code sets the rules for outdoor dining areas operated alongside restaurants, snack shops and other food-serving businesses. The purpose clause frames the standard around enhancing the City's commercial areas and encouraging a pedestrian-friendly environment, but every application still has to satisfy a specific checklist. The outdoor dining area must be managed and maintained as an integral part of the adjacent food establishment, must be designed to avoid noise impacts on nearby residential uses, and its proposed hours of operation must be complementary to the surrounding business district rather than disruptive to residential neighbors.
No cooking or food preparation may take place outside a building, meaning the outdoor space is for seating and service only. Alcohol service outdoors is barred unless the outdoor dining area also provides full food service, closing off a bar-only outdoor patio. 1706, and the design must conform to outdoor dining site design standards the City Council adopts by resolution. 2500, a faster staff-level review. 2507. If the proposed dining area extends into the public right-of-way, such as a sidewalk in front of the restaurant, the operator also needs an encroachment permit under Chapter 14 of Title 3 of the Municipal Code, on top of the design review or CUP. effective August 17, 2023.
Violations & Fines
Operating an outdoor dining area without the required Administrative Design Review, Conditional Use Permit, or Administrative Use Permit, or without the separate encroachment permit needed for right-of-way use, puts the business out of compliance with Section 10-2.1622. The City can pursue the same code enforcement and public nuisance abatement tools used elsewhere in Chapter 10-2 for unpermitted land uses, and non-compliant hours, alcohol service without full food service, or outdoor cooking are each independent grounds for the Community Development Department to require correction or revoke the underlying approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Redondo Beach restaurant serve alcohol at outdoor tables?
What permit does a small sidewalk cafe need in Redondo Beach?
Does an outdoor dining area on the sidewalk need extra approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redondo Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Redondo Beach 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.
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle sidewalk dining & cafés.