Springfield, IL Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Eligible licenses
- Class A, AA, D, E, H, or M
- Annual permit fee
- $100 (§ 90.34.5)
- Minimum passageway
- 5 feet (4 ft around obstructions)
- Closing time
- Midnight for most permittees
- Approving authority
- Mayor, after liquor commissioner review
Summary
Restaurants with a liquor license can serve outdoors under a sidewalk cafe permit, but Springfield requires a five-foot pedestrian passageway, a $100 annual fee, and a hard midnight close for most permit holders.
§ 90.34. - Sidewalk cafe permit. On application and payment of an investigation and processing fee as set forth in section 90.16, the holder of a class A, AA, D, E, H or M license may be issued a sidewalk cafe permit which shall authorize the retail sale of alcoholic beverages as an incidental sale of food items in a sidewalk restaurant provided the sidewalk restaurant is contiguous to the primary classifications licensed premises...(3)Between the street side perimeter of said service area and the curb of said street, there shall be a pedestrian passageway measuring no less than five feet in width...(4)All holders of a sidewalk cafe permit (except A and AA) may begin sales at 7:00 a.m. on Monday through Sunday, and must conclude all sales and clear the cafe area no later than 12:00 a.m. § 90.34.5. - Sidewalk cafe permit fee. The annual fee for a sidewalk cafe permit shall be $100.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 82).
Full Breakdown
34 lets a holder of a class A, AA, D, E, H or M liquor license apply for a sidewalk cafe permit, which authorizes selling alcohol as an incidental part of food service in a sidewalk restaurant contiguous to the licensed premises; class A, AA and H licensees may get the permit without the food-incidental requirement, subject to extra downtown conditions. 2. and clearing the area by midnight for most permittees; live entertainment capped at two non-amplified performers; no removing alcohol from the cafe area except staff carrying it between the establishment and the tables; and furniture removed from the right-of-way within 30 minutes of closing. to midnight and may not allow smoking, tobacco, or vaping. 5.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with any sidewalk cafe permit condition is grounds under § 90.34.3(d) for fines, suspension, revocation, or non-renewal by the local liquor control commissioner, on top of the general chapter 90 penalty at § 90.999 of $100 to $1,000 per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What liquor license do I need for a sidewalk cafe permit in Springfield?
How wide does the pedestrian passageway have to be?
What happens if a sidewalk cafe breaks its permit conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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