Weston, FL Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- separate Outdoor Seating/Bar license
- License term
- expires September 30 annually
- Dining table density
- 1 patron per 12.5 sq ft
- Bar seating density
- 1 seat per 24 lineal inches
- Location limit
- Private Property only, Sec. 84.01(E)(1)
Summary
In the City of Weston, Florida, no business may offer outdoor seating or an outdoor bar area without first obtaining a separate Outdoor Seating/Outdoor Bar license from the City, and every licensed area must meet numeric seating-density and site-plan standards under Chapter 84.
84.01(A) Intent. It is the intent of this Section to require any business with Outdoor seating or Outdoor Bar Areas to obtain a separate license in order to maintain the privilege of such Outdoor seating or Outdoor Bar Areas and to establish minimum criteria for any Outdoor seating or Outdoor Bar Areas within the City . 84.01(B) Generally. No Outdoor seating or Outdoor Bar Areas shall be allowed in the City except in compliance with this Section. ... 84.01(C)( ... 1) Any business having Outdoor seating or Outdoor Bar Areas must receive and prominently post an Outdoor seating/ Outdoor Bar license to be issued by the City . ... 84.01( ... E)(6)(b) Dining Tables : one patron per 12.5 square feet of area occupied by tables and chairs, and one table per 50 square feet of area occupied by tables and chairs.
Full Breakdown
Weston Code of Ordinances Chapter 84 requires any business adding outdoor dining or bar seating to be separately licensed. Section 84.01(A) states the intent is to require a separate license for any Outdoor Seating or Outdoor Bar Area and to set minimum criteria for it citywide, and 84.01(B) flatly bars any such area in the City except in compliance with the Chapter. Section 84.01(C)(1) requires the license to be obtained and prominently posted, and 84.01(C)(2) requires it to designate the number and type of tables and seats and the total square footage approved.
The license runs until September 30 and must be renewed annually under 84.01(C)(4), and the City may attach conditions, including time-of-day restrictions, under 84.01(C)(3). Section 84.01(D) requires a site plan amendment for any area not already shown on an approved site plan or for any relocation or increase in tables or seats. Section 84.01(E) sets density limits: outdoor seating must sit on Private Property under 84.01(E)(1), and Dining Tables are capped at one patron per 12.5 square feet and one table per 50 square feet of area occupied by tables and chairs under 84.01(E)(6)(b), with a separate Bistro Table ratio and Outdoor Bar Area ratio of one seat per 24 lineal inches of bar under 84.01(E)(5).
Violations & Fines
Section 84.01(C)(5) allows the City to rescind the Outdoor Seating/Outdoor Bar license if the Chapter's requirements are violated, and creates no independent right to issuance or renewal. Operating an unlicensed or noncompliant outdoor seating or bar area otherwise falls under the Section 2.99 general penalty, up to $1,000 per day for a first violation and up to $5,000 per day for a repeat violation, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Weston restaurant need a permit for outdoor seating?
How many outdoor dining seats can a Weston restaurant have?
Can a Weston business add outdoor seating without updating its site plan?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Weston
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