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Springfield, MA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Permit season
February 1 to November 30 only
Daily hours
No seating 11 p.m.–7 a.m.
Application fee
$75 one-time, plus annual fee
Annual fee
$125 for under 30 seats
Violation fine
$100 per day of violation

Summary

Restaurants and bars in Springfield, Massachusetts need a Department of Public Works permit before putting tables in the public right-of-way, and seating is barred outright from December through January.

Outdoor seating permits will only be allowed from February 1 to November 30 of each calendar year. ... No outdoor seating will be allowed between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. ... Application fee: All applications will be subject to a one-time $75 new permit application fee. Annual permit fee: ... Less than 30 seats: $125 per year. 30 seats or more: $200 per year.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).

Full Breakdown

Springfield's outdoor seating ordinance covers any table or chair a food or beverage business places in the public right-of-way, streets and sidewalks, for at least a month at a time. The Department of Public Works issues the permit only after sign-off from Building, Planning Board, Health and Human Services, Fire, Police, the Parking Authority, and Licensing Commission for any expanded liquor license. Permits run February 1 through November 30 only, seating must clear out between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and businesses need $250,000 in liability insurance naming the City as additional insured. A one-time $75 application fee applies, plus an annual fee of $125 for under 30 seats or $200 for 30 or more.

Violations & Fines

Operating outdoor seating without an approved Department of Public Works permit draws a $100-per-day fine, and past-due fines block any future permit issuance or renewal under Chapter 229.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a sidewalk café table in Springfield, MA?
Yes. The Department of Public Works must approve an outdoor seating permit before any table or chair goes in the public right-of-way, with sign-off from Building, Planning, Health, Fire, Police and the Parking Authority.
Can a Springfield restaurant keep outdoor seating open in winter?
No. Outdoor seating permits run only from February 1 through November 30 each year; equipment must be cleared from the right-of-way outside those dates.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Springfield

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All Springfield rules

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