Roswell, GA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Sidewalk cafe license required for ROW dining
- Clearance
- 5-foot minimum clear pedestrian passage
- Equipment
- Kitchen gear, refuse containers must stay indoors
- Historic Overlay
- Furniture, umbrella colors need HPC approval
- Alcohol
- Right-of-way alcohol service needs Council OK
Summary
Roswell, Georgia restaurants must obtain a sidewalk cafe license before placing outdoor dining in the public right-of-way, and must keep a 5-foot clear pedestrian path along the sidewalk.
2.Outdoor Dining in the Right-of-Way.a.It is unlawful to place outdoor dining in the public right-of-way without first obtaining a sidewalk cafe license.b.The outdoor dining area must abut the building facade, with a minimum 5-foot clear pedestrian passage provided between the dining area and the edge of the pavement;c.All kitchen equipment and refuse containers used to service the outdoor dining area must be located inside the principal building;d.The outdoor dining area must be maintained in a clean, neat and orderly condition. All debris and litter must be removed daily. Private trash containers in the outdoor dining area are not allowed. Public trash containers may not be used as a means of disposing of table waste;e.No extension cords are allowed across sidewalks and no televisions allowed in any outdoor dining area.f.The dispensing and/or storage of alcoholic beverages are prohibited within an outdoor dining area in the public right-of-way without the express permission of Mayor and Council. Any alcoholic beverages ordered within the sidewalk cafe area shall be delivered from a bar area located inside the building holding the consumption on the premises license. This prohibition expressly prohibits coolers, bins or other containers being located within the sidewalk cafe area without permission.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
Roswell's Unified Development Code treats sidewalk dining as a limited use under Outdoor Dining (Sec. 9.7.15). Tables placed in the public right-of-way require a sidewalk cafe license, and the dining area must abut the building facade while leaving a minimum 5-foot clear pedestrian passage to the edge of the pavement. Kitchen equipment and refuse containers must stay inside the principal building, private trash containers are barred from the dining area, and extension cords and televisions are prohibited outdoors. In the Historic Overlay District, furniture and umbrella colors need Historic Preservation Commission approval, and alcohol service in the right-of-way needs Mayor and Council permission.
Violations & Fines
Placing tables or chairs in the public right-of-way without first securing a sidewalk cafe license is unlawful under UDC Sec. 9.7.15(B)(2)(a), exposing the operator to code enforcement and removal of the unpermitted dining setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put tables on the sidewalk in Roswell, Georgia?
How much sidewalk clearance does Roswell require for a sidewalk cafe?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roswell
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Sidewalk Dining & Cafés in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle sidewalk dining & cafés.