Sidewalk Cafés

The City of Richmond strongly supports sidewalk cafes. Sidewalk cafés enhance public spaces and motivate city and regional residents to patronize Richmond’s eating establishments, contributing to a vibrant city culture and making Richmond streets more dynamic places to walk, socialize, and dine.

To support restaurant owners, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing “Sidewalk Cafés” in the City Code. Sidewalk cafés are temporary dining areas that occupy part of the public right of way or the sidewalk, and only during the business hours of the operating restaurant.

Sidewalk cafés are temporary and must be removed at the end of the day. Permanent outdoor seating areas, that may be fixed into the ground, require an outdoor dining encroachment approval. Please contact the Department of Public Works here. 

The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) requires separate permitting if alcohol is to be served outdoors.  ABC also requires perimeter barriers to be provided around the seating area if alcohol is served. 

Application Materials

To submit an application and plans, please visit the Permits & Inspections page here to access the online application portal.
 
Please ensure to provide a site plan, example sheets of all fixtures and furniture, and insurance information with your application. 

The City has several documents available that detail requirements and assist with opening and operating a successful sidewalk café in Richmond. Please review each of them before moving forward with your plans to open a sidewalk café.

•  Sidewalk Café Brochure

•  Sidewalk Café Design Guidelines

•  Sidewalk Café Requirements in the City Code 

•  Insurance Requirements

•  Sidewalk Café Renewal Form