Vacaville, CA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

130 governs outdoor dining and seating citywide. The section splits into two tracks based on where the seating sits. On private property, outdoor dining must be an accessory use to a legally established use located on the same lot, meaning a restaurant can add a patio but a standalone outdoor dining operation isn't allowed. Its hours of operation are limited to the hours of the associated indoor use, so a restaurant can't run its patio later than its dining room is open. The area must remain clear of litter at all times, a standing maintenance obligation rather than a one-time inspection item.

130 and instead requires an encroachment permit issued by the Public Works Department, or another process the City Council establishes. That split matters practically: a restaurant expanding onto its own patio or parking area needs only to satisfy the accessory-use and hours standards, while a restaurant wanting sidewalk tables in the city right-of-way must separately clear Public Works' encroachment permit process before placing any furniture there.