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Scranton, PA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit issuer: Bureau of Code Enforcement
Application fee: $25 (§ 412-60)
Accessibility rule: Must comply with ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12101
Staffing rule: Full-time employee during hours
Tax status: Must stay current, or permit revocable
Adopted: Ord. No. 72-2023 (7-5-2023)

Summary

Scranton requires a permit from the Bureau of Code Enforcement before anyone can operate a sidewalk cafe under City Code § 412-59, and § 412-60 sets the application fee at $25. Applicants must show they are current on City taxes and fees, keep the area free of debris, and staff the cafe with a full-time employee during business hours.

Permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a sidewalk cafe or parklet without a permit from the Bureau of Code Enforcement.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4719898; v25 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).

Full Breakdown

Article XI of Chapter 412, added in 2023 and amended 5-6-2025 by Ord. No. 73-2025, defines a sidewalk cafe in § 412-58 as an outdoor dining area on a sidewalk or other City right-of-way where food is purchased and served in individual portions for on-premises consumption, furnished with amenities such as tables, chairs, umbrellas or canopies. Section 412-59A requires a Bureau of Code Enforcement permit before operating one. ; sidewalk cafe applicants specifically must also agree to have a full-time employee supervise the cafe during its hours of operation.

Section 412-59C lets the Bureau revoke, suspend or refuse to issue a permit, or take other enforcement action, for noncompliance. Section 412-60 sets the application fee at $25, § 412-61 lets the Bureau adopt implementing rules and forms, and § 412-62 reserves the City's right to order furniture removed from the right-of-way for traffic, utility work, disorder, public safety or emergency reasons.

Violations & Fines

Operating a sidewalk cafe without the Bureau of Code Enforcement permit required by § 412-59A is unlawful. Falling delinquent on City taxes or fees, blocking the required pedestrian walkway, or otherwise failing to comply with the article lets the Bureau revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue the permit under § 412-59C, and the City can order all cafe furniture removed from the right-of-way for traffic, utility, safety or emergency reasons under § 412-62.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to put tables outside my Scranton restaurant?

Yes. Section 412-59A makes it unlawful to operate a sidewalk cafe or parklet on the City right-of-way without a permit from the Bureau of Code Enforcement. The application must show how you will mark off your area of operation, keep it free of rubbish, and comply with ADA pedestrian-access rules.

How much does a Scranton sidewalk cafe permit cost?

Section 412-60 sets the fee at $25 for each sidewalk cafe or parklet permit application filed with the Bureau of Code Enforcement, a flat charge that applies no matter how large the outdoor dining area is or how long the permit runs.

Can Scranton revoke my sidewalk cafe permit?

Yes. Section 412-59C lets the Bureau of Code Enforcement revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue a sidewalk cafe or parklet permit for noncompliance with the article, and § 412-59B specifically warns that falling behind on City taxes or fees can trigger revocation of the permit.

Does the City ever make me remove my sidewalk cafe furniture?

Yes. Section 412-62 reserves the City's right to direct that any furniture, appurtenances, or other encroachments be removed from the right-of-way in the event of a traffic problem, utility work, disorder, public safety concern, emergency, or other reasonable basis, regardless of an existing permit.

Sources & Official References

[1]Scranton City Code Chapter 412, Article XI, Sidewalk Cafes and Parklets (eCode360)

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