Union City, CA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit type
- Site plan review
- Approving official
- Director
- Min. clear path
- 5 feet wide
- Near-residential hours
- 7 a.m.-9/10 p.m.
Summary
Union City requires site plan review before a restaurant can operate a private sidewalk cafe, plus a five-foot clear pedestrian path and hour limits near housing.
The clear path shall be a paved sidewalk that is at least five feet wide. ... Private sidewalk cafes are permitted subject to a site plan review approval... An application for site plan review shall be accompanied by the items identified by the outdoor dining application checklist as prescribed by the Director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Union City Municipal Code § 18.36.190(B) requires private sidewalk cafes to obtain site plan review approval from the Director, filed before the cafe opens or building permits issue, with a fee set by City Council resolution. A clear, paved pedestrian path at least five feet wide must be maintained around the cafe at all times. Under § 18.36.190(A), outdoor dining generally can't run before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00-10:00 p.m. within 150 feet of a residential use, and must comply with Chapter 9.40 Community Noise.
Violations & Fines
Operating a private sidewalk cafe without an approved site plan review, or without maintaining the five-foot clear path, is a zoning violation enforceable as a misdemeanor or infraction under Chapter 1.16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Union City restaurant need a permit for a sidewalk cafe?
How wide must the walkway stay clear next to a sidewalk cafe?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle sidewalk dining & cafés.