ORDINANCE NO. 250673
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas and Councilmember Wes Rogers
Amending Chapter 64, Article V, by adding new subsections to Sections 64-168, 64-170, and 64-171 of the Code of Ordinances for the purpose of establishing a temporary moratorium on annual permit fees for sidewalk cafes, parklets, and street cafes; and directing the City Manager to provide an annual report to the Council related to the program.
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WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City recognizes the vital contribution of small businesses - particularly in the food and beverage sector - to the city's economic strength, neighborhood character, and cultural diversity; and
WHEREAS, access to outdoor dining spaces is essential for many restaurants seeking to expand their operations, improve customer experience, and increase revenue; and
WHEREAS, the current combined annual permit fees for Street Caf?s, Sidewalk Caf?s, and Parklets, totaling eight hundred fifty dollars ($850.00), can present a financial barrier for small businesses, particularly those in historically under-resourced or lower-income districts; and
WHEREAS, the City has successfully funded two rounds of the Outdoor Dining Enhancements grant program, investing $300,000.00 and supporting 32 restaurants citywide, demonstrating both the need for and benefit of expanded outdoor dining options; and
WHEREAS, this temporary fee elimination is consistent with the City's economic development goals and represents a targeted investment in small business recovery and growth that will generate increased economic activity and tax revenue; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. Chapter 64, Article V, is hereby amended by repealing Section 64-168 and enacting in lieu thereof a new section of like number and subject matter, to read as follows:
Sec. 64-168. Sidewalk caf? permit.
(a) Permit authorized. Unless otherwise authorized under the Code of Ordinances, no person shall place tables or chairs or any other device for the sale or consumption of food or beverage upon any public sidewalk or footway without first obtaining an annual sidewalk caf? permit. The director is authorized to issue annual sidewalk caf? permits for the limited purpose of temporarily placing tables and chairs for customers in connection with the sale and consumption of food and beverages in or upon any public sidewalk or footway only if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) A sidewalk caf? permit can only be issued for areas in the city zoned for business and for sidewalks that will allow a clear unobstructed passage not less than five feet in width following the placement of the tables and chairs.
(2) A sidewalk caf? permit may only be issued for a business that has a nonalcohol city business license or a conventions and tourism food certificate for the sale and consumption of food and beverages on the premises, provided that the permit may be issued only if such business is located immediately in front of the sidewalk and the permit shall not be issued for another business, if any, located in the same building.
(3) A sidewalk caf? permit issued under this article may not be assigned.
(4) The sidewalk caf? permit shall specify the location of the permit area by address.
(5) The applicant for a sidewalk caf? permit obtains approval from the board of parks and recreation commissioners if the sidewalk is on a parkway or boulevard under the jurisdiction of that board.
(6) The applicant for a sidewalk caf? permit meets all of the other permit requirements contained in the Code of Ordinances, including but not limited to the requirements of chapter 10 of the Code, if applicable and as required.
Exception: If the applicant for a sidewalk caf? permit holds both a license as a restaurant-bar under chapter 10 of the Code and a sidewalk caf? permit for the location, and wishes to apply for a license as a restaurant-bar in the sidewalk caf?, requirements of section 10-214 shall not apply.
(7) The individual or business applying for a sidewalk caf? permit shall mail written notification of an application for a license under this section to either the registered property owner or tenant of a property wholly within or intersected by a radius of 250 feet from the property owner or business requesting the sidewalk caf? permit. The notification shall be in a form prescribed by the director, include a 30-day feedback period, and shall invite objections from recipients of the notification. Any objections must be submitted in writing to the director within 30 calendar days of the permit applicant's notification being sent out. The director shall take any such objections into account when determining whether to issue a sidewalk caf? permit. The individual or business must provide certified mail receipts of the notification via the city's permitting system prior to receiving a street caf? permit.
(b) Status of permit. A sidewalk caf? permit is a privilege and not a right, and the city shall at all times have the right to restrict the scope, time and manner of the placement of tables and chairs on the sidewalk at any time and for any reason by ordinance or regulation of the director.
(c) Application for sidewalk caf? permits.
(1) All applications for a sidewalk caf? permit shall be filed with the director in a form approved by the director.
(2) As a condition for the issuance of a sidewalk caf? permit, the applicant shall furnish to the director an indemnity agreement in the form approved by the director binding the applicant to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the city and any of its agencies, officials, officers, or employees from and against all claims, damages, liability, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting from any acts or omissions in connection with the operations of the applicant caused in whole or in part by the applicant, its employees, agents, or subcontractors, customers or caused by others for whom the applicant is liable, regardless of whether caused in part by any act or omission of city, its agencies, officials, officers, or employees.
(3) As a condition for the issuance of a sidewalk caf? permit, the applicant shall furnish the city a certificate of insurance from a company approved by the director of finance evidencing that the applicant has a comprehensive general liability and property damage policy meeting the following conditions:
a. Liability insurance with either a combined single-limit policy of not less than $2,000,000.00, or a split-limit policy of $300,000.00/$300,000.00 bodily injury and $100,000.00 property damage.
b. The city shall be added as an additional insured to such policy by separate endorsement.
c. The policy shall contain a separate endorsement requiring the insurance company to notify the city in writing of any change in or cancellation of the policy at least ten days prior thereto.
The applicant's failure to obtain or maintain the required insurance in effect for the duration of the permit shall immediately render the permit void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the applicant shall remain obligated to indemnify and hold harmless the city and any of its agencies, officials, officers, or employees to the full extent required by the indemnity agreement required by this section.
(d) Conduct of sidewalk caf? permit holder. A person holding a sidewalk caf? permit (permittee) shall comply with all of the following conditions in connection with the placement of tables and chairs on a sidewalk:
(1) Sidewalk caf?s must at all times adhere to the city's design standards which shall be provided by the director upon request. If design standards are amended, the director shall have discretion to decide whether an existing sidewalk caf? must be updated to conform with the new standards.
(2) Sidewalk caf? permits shall be conspicuously displayed at all times at the business for the permit area and shall be available for inspection by the director, other city employees, and the public. Sidewalk caf?s may only be open during the times that the business operating the street caf? is open.
(3) No street or alley shall be blocked by tables and chairs placed pursuant to a sidewalk caf? permit issued under this section.
(4) The permittee shall comply with all applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(5) Tables and chairs shall be securely placed so that they will not endanger the public, or fall or protrude into any street or alley.
(6) Tables and chairs shall not be placed in a manner that creates or causes a nuisance, a fire hazard, or interferes with ingress to or from any building.
(7) Only tables and chairs for customer use may be placed and allowed to remain within the permit area. The permit area may not be used for the storage of other items.
(8) Tables and chairs shall only be placed in front of the business holding a sidewalk caf? permit and shall not extend to sidewalks abutting and adjacent to other properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the tables and chairs may be placed in front of a property immediately abutting and immediately adjacent to the business holding the sidewalk caf? permit if the owner of record of the affected property consents in writing in a form approved by the director; a property shall not be deemed to be immediately abutting and immediately adjacent if separated from the business holding the sidewalk caf? permit by a street or alley.
(9) The tables and chairs shall not be placed in the street.
(10) The permittee shall not be permitted to use or operate any public address system, or amplified music before 9:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. At all times, the permittee shall operate the sidewalk caf? in a manner consistent with the indoor noise decibel restrictions of section 46-4 of the Code of Ordinances unless the permittee obtains a permit which otherwise allows for higher decibel levels.
(11) Tables and chairs for customers shall be placed no less than five feet back from the front of the curb of the abutting street, or other appurtenances.
(e) Renewal, Sidewalk caf? permits shall be granted on an annual basis. All sidewalk caf? permits may be renewed upon request by the permittee and upon approval by the director 30 days prior to the expiration of the permit. The term for the renewal shall also be one year. Upon a request for renewal, the permittee shall demonstrate that they have adhered to the provisions of this section. The director may inspect the sidewalk caf? at any time.
(f) Fees. The director shall have the authority to set fees to defray the various costs incurred by the city in establishing and regulating sidewalk caf?s. Those fees shall include an application fee and an annual license fee. The fees shall be determined annually by the director, and shall be made available to any permittee seeking to establish a sidewalk caf?. The fees shall be based on the costs of administering sidewalk caf? permits. In situations where building capacity is decreased due to a city proclamation of emergency, or if it is otherwise in the best interests of the city, the director is authorized to issue temporary street caf? permits and may waive any fees or other requirements otherwise necessary to receive a sidewalk caf? permit.
(1) Annual Fee Moratorium. Notwithstanding subsection (f) above, annual license fees for sidewalk caf? permits are suspended for a period of three (3) years from the effective date of this ordinance (September 1, 2025 - September 1, 2028). Application fees may still be charged during this moratorium period.
(g) Revocation. Any permit issued hereunder may be suspended or revoked for any reason that would justify a refusal to issue the permit originally or by reason of any failure by the permittee to comply with the provisions of this code, or any condition imposed by the director upon the issuance of the permit. The sidewalk caf? permit may also be suspended if the location of the sidewalk is necessary for city use, including for use by a utility with the right to access the city's right-of-way. Unless there is an emergency as defined by city ordinance or need for access from a utility utilizing city right-of-way, the permittee is entitled to a minimum of one week's advance notice of the city's intent to temporarily suspend, or a minimum of 30 days' advance notice to revoke a sidewalk caf? permit. The cost of removing the sidewalk caf? will be borne solely by the permittee. Should the permittee fail to remove the sidewalk caf?, the director may remove the sidewalk caf? and assess cost of the removal to the permittee.
(h) Penalties. A permittee operating a sidewalk caf? who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of triple the amount of the application fee for every day of noncompliance.
Section 2. Chapter 64, Article V, is hereby amended by repealing Section 64-170 and enacting in lieu thereof a new section of like number and subject matter, to read as follows:
Sec. 64-170. Parklet permit.
(a) Definition. A parklet is defined as an outdoor facility located within city right-of-way-either within the sidewalk, on-street parking areas, or other unutilized spaces within the public right-of-way-which is permitted by the city to be managed by the adjacent property owner as public space.
(b) Parklet permit established. The director of public works is authorized to issue annual parklet permits for the purpose of creating public gathering spaces. The director shall have authority to establish reasonable regulations for the issuance, use, revocation, and denial of parklet permits. Upon issuance of a parklet permit, permittees shall perform all obligations, duties and responsibilities as set forth by the director. Issuance of a parklet permit is a privilege and not a right, and the director shall have the right to modify the scope, time and manner of the parklet permit for any reason. The director of public works may seek the opinion of other city officials in review of a parklet permit application.
When the applicant for a parklet permit requests a parklet permit adjacent to or within a parkway or boulevard, the applicant must obtain approval from the board of parks and recreation commissioners. In such circumstances, any authority delegated within this section to the director of public works shall instead be delegated to the director of parks and recreation.
(c) Permit conditions. A parklet permit may be issued only if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) A parklet permit may be issued to any individual, business or organization for an area within city right-of-way-either within the sidewalk, on-street parking areas, or other unutilized spaces within the public right-of-way upon request by the owner or tenant of property adjacent to the parklet.
(2) A parklet permit may be issued in any area in the city in which the adjacent street or roadway has a posted speed limit not in excess of 30 miles per hour.
(3) A parklet may not be located within parking spaces designated for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or placard issued to physically disabled or handicapped persons.
(4) The applicant for a parklet permit meets all applicable requirements contained within the city's Code of Ordinances.
(5) The individual or business applying for a parklet permit shall mail written notification of an application for a license under this section to either the registered property owner or tenant of a property wholly within or intersected by a radius of 250 feet from the property owner or business requesting the parklet permit. The notification shall be in a form prescribed by the director, include a 30-day feedback period, and shall invite objections from recipients of the notification. Any objections must be submitted in writing to the director within 30 calendar days of the permit applicant's notification being sent out. The director shall take any such objections into account when determining whether to issue a parklet permit. The individual or business must provide certified mail receipts of the notification via the city's permitting system prior to receiving a parklet permit.
(d) Application for parklet permits.
(1) All applications for a parklet permit shall be filed with the director of public works in a form approved by the director. Parklet permits may not be transferred or assigned. All applications shall include the following:
a. An indemnity agreement in the form approved by the director binding the applicant to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the city and any of its agencies, officials, officers, or employees from and against all claims, damages, liability, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting from any acts or omissions in connection with the operations of the applicant caused in whole or in part by the applicant, its employees, agents, or subcontractors, customers or caused by others for whom the applicant is liable, regardless of whether caused in part by any act or omission of city, its agencies, officials, officers, or employees. The permittee shall specifically indemnify and hold harmless the city and any of its agencies, officials, officers, or employees from and against all claims, damages, liability, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, arising out of or resulting from the city's snow removal operations.
b. A certificate of insurance from a company approved by the director of finance evidencing that the applicant has a comprehensive general liability and property damage policy meeting the following conditions:
i. Liability insurance with either a combined single-limit policy of not less than $2,000,000.00, or a split-limit policy of $300,000.00/$300,000.00 bodily injury and $100,000.00 property damage.
ii. The city shall be added as an additional insured to such policy by separate endorsement.
iii. The policy shall contain a separate endorsement requiring the insurance company to notify the city in writing of any change in or cancellation of the policy at least ten days prior thereto.
The applicant's failure to obtain or maintain the required insurance in effect for the duration of the permit shall immediately render the permit void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the applicant shall remain obligated to indemnify and hold harmless the city and any of its agencies, officials, officers, or employees to the full extent required by the indemnity agreement required by this section.
c. A design of the parklet which adheres to the city's design standards shall be provided by the director of public works to any permittee seeking to establish a parklet. The applicant shall include a layout, drawn to scale, which accurately depicts the dimensions of the existing area to be utilized as a parklet and adjacent private property, the proposed location of the parklet, size and number of tables, chairs, steps, planters, and umbrellas, location of doorways, trees, existing parking meters, sidewalk benches, trash receptacles, light poles, and any other sidewalk obstructions, either existing or proposed, within the pedestrian area. This layout shall be submitted on eight and one-half-inch by eleven-inch paper, suitable for reproduction. Also, photographs, drawings, or manufacturer's brochures fully describing the appearance and dimensions of all proposed tables, chairs, weighted umbrellas, free-standing barriers or other objects to be used in the parklet.
(e) Conduct of parklet permit holder. Parklet permittees shall comply with all of the following conditions:
(1) Parklets must at all times adhere to the city's design standards which shall be provided by the director upon request. If the city's design standards are amended, the director shall have discretion to decide whether an existing parklet must be updated to conform with the new standards.
(2) The permittee shall properly supervise and maintain the parklet in a clean, orderly, and safe condition and in such a manner as to protect the public health and safety. The permittee shall prevent the accumulation, blowing and scattering of trash, garbage, or any other such debris caused by use of the parklet and shall maintain its own trash containers upon the parklet for disposal of any debris. All tables, chairs, umbrellas, and any other furnishings utilized in the parklet shall be maintained with a clean and attractive appearance and shall be in good repair at all times.
(3) Parklet permits shall be conspicuously displayed at all times at the business for the permit area and shall be available for inspection by the director of public works, other city employees, and the public. Parklets may only be open during the times that the business operating the street caf? is open.
(4) Parklets must remain publicly accessible and must include signage posted on-site to this effect, stating hours reserved for public use.
(5) Permittee shall ensure that the parklet and its furnishings in no way interfere with pedestrian, bicycle, or automobile traffic within the sidewalk, street, or bicycle facilities including the parking of vehicles in adjacent parking spaces.
(6) No smoking shall be allowed in the parklet. Alcohol shall not be consumed within the parklet without proper licensure.
(7) Permittee shall not erect, attach, or affix any permanent fixture upon the public right-of-way, even within the parklet.
(8) No furnishings or any parts of the parklet shall be attached, chained, or in any manner affixed to any tree, post, signs, sidewalk, streetlight, fire hydrant, or other public fixture within or near the parklet.
(9) The permittee shall not be permitted to use or operate any public address system, or amplified music before 9:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. At all times, the permittee shall operate the parklet in a manner consistent with the indoor noise decibel restrictions of section 46-4 of the Code of Ordinances unless the permittee obtains a permit which otherwise allows for higher decibel levels.
(10) The permittee shall comply with all applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(11) The parklet permit may not be used for the storage of any items other than seating, furnishing, landscaping, signs, or lighting.
(12) The parklet shall not extend to public right-of-way abutting and adjacent to other properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parklet may extend in front of a property immediately abutting and immediately adjacent to the business holding the parklet permit if the owner of record of the affected property consents in writing in a form approved by the director of public works; a property shall not be deemed to be immediately abutting and immediately adjacent if separated from the business holding the parklet permit by a street or alley.
(f) Renewal, Parklet permits shall be granted on an annual basis. All parklet permits may be renewed upon request by the permittee and upon approval by the director 30 days' prior to the expiration of the permit. The term for renewal shall also be one year. Upon a request for renewal, the permittee shall demonstrate that they have adhered to the provisions of this section. The director may inspect the parklet at any time.
(g) Fees. The director shall have the authority to set fees to defray the various costs incurred by the city in establishing and regulating parklets. Those fees shall include an application fee and an annual renewal fee. The fees shall be determined annually by the director, and shall be made available to any permittee seeking to establish a parklet. The fees shall be based on the costs of administering parklet permits. In situations where building capacity is decreased due to a city proclamation of emergency, or if it is otherwise in the best interests of the city, the director is authorized to issue temporary parklet permits and may waive any fees or other requirements otherwise necessary to receive a parklet permit.
(1) Annual Fee Moratorium. Notwithstanding subsection (g) above, annual license fees for parklet permits are suspended for a period of three (3) years from the effective date of this ordinance (September 1, 2025 - September 1, 2028). Application fees may still be charged during this moratorium period.
(h) Revocation. Any permit issued hereunder may be suspended or revoked for any reason that would justify a refusal to issue the permit originally or by reason of any failure by the permittee to comply with the provisions of this code, or any condition imposed by the director upon the issuance of the permit. The parklet permit may also be suspended if the location of the parklet is necessary for city use, including for use by a utility with the right to access the city's right-of-way. Unless there is an emergency which threatens the health and safety of city residents and visitors or a need for access from a utility utilizing city right-of-way, the permittee is entitled to a minimum of one week's advance notice of the city's intent to temporarily suspend, or a minimum of 30 days' advance notice to revoke a parklet permit. No advance warning is required in the case of an emergency which threatens the health and safety of city residents and visitors or a need for access from a utility. The cost of removing the parklet will be borne solely by the permittee. Should the permittee fail to remove the parklet within the timeframes outlined above, the director of public works may remove the parklet and assess cost of the removal to the permittee.
(i) Penalties. A permittee operating a parklet who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of triple the amount of the application fee for every day of noncompliance.
Section 3. Chapter 64, Article V, is hereby amended by repealing Section 64-171 and enacting in lieu thereof a new section of like number and subject matter, to read as follows:
Sec. 64-171. Street caf? permit.
(a) Definition. A street caf? is defined as an outdoor dining facility located within areas used for on-street parking which is permitted by the city to be utilized by the immediately adjacent property owner or tenant for outdoor dining as an extension of the owner's or tenant's operations.
(b) Street caf? permit established. The director of public works is authorized to issue annual street caf? permits for the limited purpose of placing tables and chairs for customers in connection with the sale and consumption of food and beverages in or upon any on-street parking spaces. The director shall have the authority to establish reasonable regulations for the issuance, use, revocation, and denial of street caf? permits. Upon issuance of a street caf? permit, permittees shall perform all obligations, duties and responsibilities as set forth by the director, issuance of a street caf? permit is a privilege and not a right, and the director shall have the right to modify the scope, time and manner of the street caf? permit for any reason. In situations where building capacity is decreased due to a city proclamation of emergency, or if it is otherwise in the best interests of the city, the director is authorized to issue temporary street caf? permits and may waive any fees or other requirements otherwise necessary to receive a street caf? permit.
When the applicant for a street caf? permit requests a street caf? permit adjacent to a parkway or boulevard, the applicant must obtain approval from the board of parks and recreation commissioners. In such circumstances, any authority delegated within this section to the director of public works shall instead be delegated to the director of parks and recreation.
(c) Permit conditions. A street caf? permit may be issued only if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) A street caf? permit may be issued to any individual, business or organization within on-street parking areas or other unutilized spaces within the public right-of-way immediately adjacent to property owned or leased by the individual, business or organization.
(2) A street caf? permit may be issued adjacent to streets or roadways which have a posted speed limit not in excess of 30 miles per hour.
(3) A street caf? permit can only be issued for areas in the city zoned for business and which allow a clear unobstructed passage not less than five feet in width within the street caf? following the placement of the tables and chairs in the street caf?.
(4) A street caf? permit may only be issued for a business that has a nonalcohol city business license or a conventions and tourism food certificate for the sale and consumption of food and beverages on the premises provided that the permit may be issued only if such business is located immediately in front of the business and the permit shall not be issued for another business, if any, located in the same building.
(5) A street caf? permit may not be located within parking spaces designated for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or placard issued to physically disabled or handicapped persons.
(6) The individual or business applying for a street caf? permit shall mail written notification of an application for a license under this section to either the registered property owner or tenant of a property wholly within or intersected by a radius of 250 feet from the property owner or business requesting the street caf? permit. The notification shall be in a form prescribed by the director, include a 30- day feedback period, and shall invite objections from recipients of the notification. Any objections must be submitted in writing to the director within 30 calendar days of the permit applicant's notification being sent out. The director shall take any such objections into account when determining whether to issue a street caf? permit. The individual or business must provide certified mail receipts of the notification via the city's permitting system prior to receiving a street caf? permit.
(d) Application for street caf? permits.
(1) All applications for a street caf? permit shall be filed with the director of public works in a form approved by the director. Street caf? permits may not be transferred or assigned. All applications for a street caf? permit shall include the following:
a. An indemnity agreement in the form approved by the director binding the applicant to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the city and any of its agencies, officials, officers, or employees from and against all claims, damages, liability, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting from any acts or omissions in connection with the operations of the applicant caused in whole or in part by the applicant, its employees, agents, or subcontractors, customers or caused by others for whom the applicant is liable, regardless of whether caused in part by any act or omission of city, its agencies, officials, officers, or employees. The permittee shall specifically indemnify and hold harmless the city and any of its agencies, officials, officers, or employees from and against all claims, damages, liability, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, arising out of or resulting from the city's snow removal operations.
b. A certificate of insurance from a company approved by the director of finance evidencing that the applicant has a comprehensive general liability and property damage policy meeting the following conditions:
1. Liability insurance with either a combined single-limit policy of not less than $2,000,000.00, or a split-limit policy of $300,000.00/$300,000.00 bodily injury and $100,000.00 property damage.
2. The city shall be added as an additional insured to such policy by separate endorsement.
3. The policy shall contain a separate endorsement requiring the insurance company to notify the city in writing of any change in or cancellation of the policy at least ten days prior thereto.
The applicant's failure to obtain or maintain the required insurance in effect for the duration of the permit shall immediately render the permit void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the applicant shall remain obligated to indemnify and hold harmless the city and any of its agencies, officials, officers, or employees to the full extent required by the indemnity agreement required by this section.
c. A design of the street caf? which adheres to design guidelines provided by the director of public works which shall be available to any permittee seeking to establish a street caf?. The applicant shall include a layout, drawn to scale, which accurately depicts the dimensions of the existing area to be utilized as a street caf? and adjacent private property, the proposed location of the street caf?, size and number of tables, chairs, steps, planters, and umbrellas, location of doorways, trees, existing parking meters, sidewalk benches, trash receptacles, light poles, and any other sidewalk obstructions, either existing or proposed, within the pedestrian area. This layout shall be submitted on 81/2-inch by 11-inch paper, suitable for reproduction. Also, photographs, drawings, or manufacturer's brochures fully describing the appearance and dimensions of all proposed tables, chairs, weighted umbrellas, freestanding barriers or other objects to be used in the street caf?.
(e) Conduct of street caf? permit holder. Street caf? permittees shall comply with all of the following conditions;
(1) Street caf?s must at all times adhere to the city's parklet and street caf? design standards which shall be provided by the director upon request. If the city's design standards are amended, the director shall have discretion to decide whether an existing street caf? must be updated to conform with the new standards.
(2) The permittee shall properly supervise and maintain the street caf? in a clean, orderly, and safe condition and in such a manner as to protect the public health and safety. The permittee shall prevent the accumulation, blowing, and scattering, of trash, garbage, or any other such debris caused by use of the street caf? and shall maintain its own trash containers upon the street caf? for disposal of any debris. All tables, chairs, umbrellas, and any other objects utilized in the street caf? shall be maintained with a clean and attractive appearance and shall be in good repair at all times. Street caf?s may only be open during the times that the business operating the street caf? is open.
(3) Street caf? permits shall be conspicuously displayed at all times at the business for the permit area and shall be available for inspection by the director of public works, other city employees, and the public.
(4) The permittee shall designate with signage the hours during which the street caf? is to be operated. At all other times, the street caf? shall be made available for public use.
(5) Permittee shall ensure the street caf? and its furnishings in no way interfere with pedestrian, bicycle, or automobile traffic within the sidewalk, street, or bicycle facilities including the parking of vehicles in adjacent parking spaces.
(6) No smoking shall be allowed in the street caf?. Alcohol or liquor shall not be consumed within the street caf? without proper licensure. The hours of outdoor liquor sales shall be allowed as authorized in chapter 10 of the Code.
(7) Permittee shall not erect, attach, or affix any permanent fixture upon the public right-of-way, even within the street caf?.
(8) No furnishings or any parts of the street caf? shall be attached, chained, or in any manner affixed to any tree, post, signs, sidewalk, streetlight, fire hydrant, or other public fixture within or near the street caf?.
(9) The permittee shall not be permitted to use or operate any public address system, or amplified music before 9:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. At all times, the permittee shall operate the street caf? in a manner consistent with the indoor noise decibel restrictions of Section 46-4 of the Code of Ordinances unless the permittee obtains a permit which otherwise allows for higher decibel levels.
(10) The permittee shall comply with all applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(11) The permit area may not be used for the storage of any items other than seating, landscaping, signs, or lighting.
(12) The street caf? and any furnishings shall only be placed in front of the business holding a street caf? permit and shall not extend to public right-of-way abutting and adjacent to other properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the street caf? and its furnishings may be placed in front of a property immediately abutting and immediately adjacent to the business holding the street caf? permit if the owner of record of the affected property consents in writing in a form approved by the director of public works; a property shall not be deemed to be immediately abutting and immediately adjacent if separated from the business holding the street caf? permit by a street or alley.
(f) Renewal. Street caf? permits shall be granted on an annual basis. All street caf? permits may be renewed upon request by the permittee and upon approval by the director 30 days prior to the expiration of the permit. The term for the renewal shall also be one year. Upon a request for renewal, the permittee shall demonstrate that they have adhered to the provisions of this section as well as the city's design standards. The director may inspect the street caf? at any time.
(g) Fees. The director shall have the authority to set fees to defray the various costs incurred by the city in establishing and regulating street caf?s, including loss of value to the city in utilizing such spaces for on-street parking. Those fees shall include an application fee and an annual license fee. The fees shall be determined annually by the director, and shall be made available to any permittee seeking to establish a street caf?. The fees shall be based on the costs of administering street cat permits. In situations where building capacity is decreased due to a city proclamation of emergency, or if it is otherwise in the best interests of the city, the director is authorized to issue temporary street caf? permits and may waive any fees or other requirements otherwise necessary to receive a street caf? permit.
(1) Annual Fee Moratorium. Notwithstanding subsection (g) above, annual license fees for street caf? permits are suspended for a period of three (3) years from the effective date of this ordinance (September 1, 2025 - September 1, 2028). Application fees may still be charged during this moratorium period.
(h) Revocation. Any permit issued hereunder may be suspended or revoked for any reason that would justify a refusal to issue the permit originally or by reason of any failure by the permittee to comply with the provisions of this code, or any condition imposed by the director upon the issuance of the permit. The street caf? permit may also be suspended if the location of the street caf? is necessary for city use, including for use by a utility with the right to access the city's right-of-way. Unless there is an emergency which threatens the health and safety of city residents and visitors or a need for access from a utility utilizing city right-of-way, the permittee is entitled to a minimum of one week's advance notice of the city's intent to temporarily suspend, or a minimum of 30 days' advance notice to revoke a street caf? permit. The cost of removing the street caf? will be borne solely by the permittee. No advance warning is required in the case of an emergency which threatens the health and safety of city residents and visitors or a need for access from a utility. Should the permittee fail to remove the street caf?, the director of public works may remove the street caf? and assess cost of the removal to the permittee.
(i) Penalties. A permittee operating a street caf? who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of triple the amount of the application fee for every day of noncompliance.
Section 4. All other provisions of Sections 64-168, 64-170, and 64-171 shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5. That the City Manager shall report to the City Council annually during the three-year fee waiver period on:
A. Program participation rates by Council District;
B. Total number of permits issued under this moratorium;
C. Economic impact assessment including estimated revenue generated by participating businesses;
D. Any barriers to participation identified;
E. Compliance rates and enforcement actions; and
F. Recommended improvements or modifications to the policy.
The final report shall include recommendations regarding continuation, modification, or termination of the fee moratorium.
end
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Approved as to form:
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Dustin E. Johnson
Assistant City Attorney