Walla Walla County, WA Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

WWCC Chapter 12.26 treats outdoor dining as two distinct authorizations. Section 12.26.020.B covers a temporary setup: obstructing a sidewalk, path, curb, gutter or planting strip for the purpose of outdoor dining facilities. Section 12.26.020.C covers occupying a portion of a sidewalk or path for outdoor dining on a long-term basis, which the county treats as a separate, ongoing use of the right-of-way rather than a one-time event. Either way, Section 12.26.030 requires the business to obtain the necessary permit from the county and pay the required fees before placing tables in the right-of-way, and the county engineer may attach conditions to keep the remaining sidewalk or path safe for pedestrian and vehicle travel.

Section 12.26.040 layers on a hold-harmless agreement protecting the county from claims tied to the dining use, plus a certificate of insurance naming the county as an additional insured in an amount the county accepts. Tables, planters or railings placed without that authorization become a prohibited obstruction under Section 12.26.050.A, which applies "whether placed by permit or without permit," exposing the business to the civil infraction fines and misdemeanor exposure set out in Section 12.26.080. The county engineer administers all of this under Chapter 12.01's general Title 12 authority, and decisions may be appealed to the hearing examiner under Section 12.01.080.