Sarasota, FL Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Any establishment serving food and beverages, abutting a sidewalk which is a public right-of-way, or any such establishment that is within fifty (50) feet of another business that is abutting a sidewalk which is a public right-of-way, may apply to the city for a right-of-way usage permit for a sidewalk café ("sidewalk café permit"), which would allow the establishment to utilize the applicable city right-of-way for the operation of a sidewalk café. The sidewalk café permit is issued pursuant to an administrative review process conducted by the city engineer. Applications for and the issuance of sidewalk café permits and regulation of sidewalk cafés shall be governed by this section 30-22 which may be known and cited as "The City of Sarasota Sidewalk Café Ordinance." No person shall operate a sidewalk café within the public right-of-way without first obtaining a sidewalk café permit from the city engineer. The term of the permit shall be for a period of one (1) year, commencing on January 1 and terminating on December 31. All sidewalk café permits shall expire on December 31 of each year including all permits issued prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section. Permits issued after January 1 may be issued for that portion of the year remaining from the date of issuance until December 31. All permits shall be renewed annually in order to remain in effect.