Waukesha, WI Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Municipal Code § 8.116 lets an establishment serving beverages, alcohol beverages, or food apply to the City Clerk's Office for a permit to run a Sidewalk Café on public property immediately adjoining its licensed premises. Before the Clerk can issue it, the Community Development Department reviews the application and site plan, the Ordinance and License Committee makes a recommendation, and the Common Council gives final approval. Each permit runs for one year, March 1 through February 28 or 29, and must be displayed in public view; it is not transferable to another business or a new owner.

The application must include a completed City form, at least $1,000,000 in commercial liability insurance naming the City as additional insured, an indemnification agreement approved by the City Attorney, a scaled site layout showing tables, chairs, and obstructions such as hydrants and light poles, and photos or brochures of the furniture proposed. The non-refundable fee is $100 for an initial application, $50 for a renewal or temporary street expansion, plus another $100 if the operator wants to serve alcohol there. Operators must keep a four-foot clear path for pedestrians at all times. Restaurants that pull more than 30% of gross revenue from food can serve until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday; operators below that food-revenue threshold must close by 9 p.m. on weeknights. Alcohol requires a separate temporary extension of the liquor license's premises approved by the Council, and the bar itself must stay indoors. The City Administrator, Police Chief, Community Development Director, or Public Works Director can order a Sidewalk Café shut down temporarily for construction, parades, or other public needs, and the Ordinance and License Committee can revoke or suspend the permit outright at any time, without cause, since the code treats it as a privilege rather than a right to use the public right of way.