Cafe Tables and Chairs

A restaurant or café that wants to apply for outdoor seating on the sidewalk in front of their business can apply for the Revocable Café Tables and Chairs Permit at San Francisco Public Works Bureau of Street-Use & Mapping (BSM). 

The City of San Francisco has established Public Works Code, Article 5.2 and Public Works Order 183,188 to allow restaurants and cafes to utilize the public sidewalks and in some cases the roadway to provide customers with outdoor seating. This permit has been developed to enhance the charm and uniqueness for which San Francisco is world famous. 

Starting in September 2021, the Café Table and Chair Program is accepting applications through the San Francisco Shared Spaces online application portal. To submit an application, you may visit the online application portal here.

Café Tables and Chairs Brochure  (中文版)   (Versión en Español)

HOW TO APPLY FOR A NEW PERMIT APPLICATION

Submit the following to Public Works Bureau of Street-Use & Mapping:

1. Permit Application. An application submitted through the online Shared Spaces Application Portal.
2. SF Business Registration Certificate.As part of the permit application submittal process, your business registration status will be verified.
3. Photos. Images of the sidewalk or roadway fronting the business where the outdoor seating will be proposed.
4. Site Plan. A computer generated drawing showing the proposed outdoor seating layout and the facilities fronting the business. See the Design Guidelines section below for details and a Sample Diagram.   
   NOTE: Hand drawn plans will not be accepted.
5. Permit Application Fee. See the San Francisco Public Works Fee Schedule.   
   NOTE: There will be an Assessment Fee, calculated from the approved Site Plan.
6. Copy of Valid Certificate of Insurance (COI). The COI is evidence of general commercial liability coverage with language that must comply with Public Works BSM’s requirements as identified in the Sample COI. 

PERMIT REVIEW PROCESS

The permit approval process may take approximately 2 months to 6 months depending on site conditions and other considerations

1. The permit application will be assigned to a staff member to review for completeness.
2. The Site Plan will be reviewed to determine conformance with design requirements.
3. After the Site Plan is approved and when the business is either open or nearly ready to open, a Public Notice will be provided for posting at the business in a conspicuous location fronting the public sidewalk.
4. The Public Notice will remain in a readily visible place on the front of the business for ten calendar days.
5. If there are no objections from the public during the notification period, the application will be approved and a revocable Café Tables & Chairs Permit will be issued; OR
6. If there are unresolved objections from the public during the notification period, a Public Hearing will be scheduled. Following the Public Hearing, the Public Works Director will issue a decision to approve, conditionally approve or deny the permit application.
7. In the event of a denial, the applicant may appeal the decision to the San Francisco Board of Appeals within 15 calendar days of the decision.
8. A copy of the approved permit must be displayed at the place of business in a location visible to the public and readily available upon request.

WHERE TO APPLY

Starting in September 2021, the Café Table and Chair Program is accepting applications through the San Francisco Shared Spaces online application portal. To submit an application, you may visit the online application portal here.

HOW TO RENEW AN EXISTING PERMIT

For Café Table and Chair permits applied for under the Shared Spaces Program, you will be provided with renewal instructions via email before your renewal date. To renew a past Table and Chair permit already on file issued before the Shared Spaces program, you may email us at commercialpermitrenewals@sfdpw.org for assistance.

HOW TO MODIFY AN EXISTING PERMIT

Modifications to an existing permit will require a new permit application as described in the section on How to Apply for a New Permit Application.

FEES

Permit Application Fees are described in the San Francisco Public Works Fee Schedule and listed below for reference:

• New Application: The fees for processing a new permit application or modification to an existing permit.
• Renewal: The fee for processing the renewal of the permit.
• Renewal with Department Action: The renewal and assessment fee when the permit conditions have been violated during the past year.
• Assessment: The fee based on the area of the public right-of-way being occupied. Paid on an annual basis.
   

Permit Fee Schedule Brochure

SITE PLAN DESIGN GUIDELINES

Café Tables and Chairs Guidelines have been established in Public Works Order 183,188 and the Public Works Code to maintain a balance of safety and accessibility with commercial prosperity.

General Guidelines:

When feasible, the sidewalk in front of the business must be wide enough to allow for a minimum of 8 feet wide unobstructed pedestrian through path of travel around the proposed outside seating area. In cases where an eight-foot path of travel is not feasible due to the sidewalk width or obstructions on the sidewalk, a narrower pedestrian path of travel as low as six feet may be considered on a case by case basis.

Placement of tables and chairs on the sidewalk must not in any way interfere with curb ramps, access to the building, driveways or access to any fire escape or Fire Department connection.

All elements of the proposed seating area such as tables, chairs, benches and umbrellas must be designed to fit and remain within the proposed permitted area at all times including while being used. a) Umbrellas or canopies that are greater than 84 inches above the surface may extend beyond the permitted area, if necessary.

Receptacles for Trash, Recycling and Compost (3 receptacles) must be provided within the permit area.

Placement of tables and chairs on the sidewalk must conform to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Placement of tables and chairs on the sidewalk must include the installation of diverters at each end to guide pedestrians away from the occupied area of the sidewalk. Diverters must conform to the following design guidelines:

Diverters must be flush with building at approximately 90 degrees.

Diverters must be sturdy, stable and have sufficient weight so that they cannot tip over or be blown away by the wind.

Diverters must be at least 30 inches high and must be solid within 24 inches of the ground.

Diverters must have contrasting colors so that they are distinctly visible to the visually impaired.

Diverters must be removable at the end of business hours.

PERMIT HOLDER RESPONSIBILITIES

The permit holder is responsible for ensuring the outside seating complies with all applicable rules and regulations, including the following:

1. All activities and furnishings related to the permitted outside seating must remain within the approved area.
2. Only approved diverters, which may not have protruding legs or supports, shall be used at all times.
3. Diverters, tables and chairs in the sidewalk area must be kept free of advertising, litter and other debris at all times.
4. Receptacles for Trash, Recycling and Compost (3 receptacles) must be provided within the permit area at all times.
5. Food trays or carts, receptacles for dirty dishes etc. shall not be placed or stored on any portion of the sidewalk or roadway area of a public street.
6. All tables, chairs, diverters etc. must be promptly removed daily from the sidewalk area in accordance with the permitted hours of operation.
7. General liability insurance must be maintained in full force and effect in compliance San Francisco Public Works requirements.
8. A copy of the valid permit must be displayed in a location visible to the public during business hours.
9. All permit holders must request a renewal no later than 30 days prior to the expiration date of the Revocable Street-Use Permit.

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

• Public Works Codes
• Public Works Order 183,188
• Refuse Receptacles and Service Requirements
• San Francisco Better Streets
• California Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC)

PERMIT DOCUMENT LINKS

• Sample Drawing
• San Francisco Public Works Fee Schedule
• Sample COI
• Guidelines for Café Tables and Chairs Permit

VIOLATIONS

Businesses that are found to be non-compliant with the provisions and conditions of this permit will be issued
a citation. Multiple citations will result in increased renewal fees and / or revocation of the permit.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information or clarification on any of the permit requirements, please contact us at:
San Francisco Public Works • Bureau of Street-Use & Mapping 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 300 • San Francisco, CA 94103 
Phone : (628) 271-2000

San Francisco Public Works • Permit Center 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 200 • San Francisco, CA 94103 • Map

Processing Hours:
• Please visit https://sf.gov/location/permit-center for operating hours of the Permit Center. 
• Closed on official holidays