How to Apply for a Sidewalk Dining License

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Santa Monica Outdoors program. We are pleased to offer the opportunity to our local businesses to apply for a Sidewalk Dining Permit and License Agreement. The permit and license are required to operate any sidewalk dining in the public right‐of‐way. Both aspects are completed through the same Online application - only one submittal is required.

This page will guide you through the Online application process.

The Fee Table below outlines current application fees as collected by Public Works for all permit applications as well as monthly license fees collected by Economic Development. Some sidewalk dining designs may require additional review by Mobility, Building and Safety, Planning, or Fire Departments. Individual Department or Division review fees range from $250 - $550. 

In addition to Sidewalk Dining, the City also offers a Parklet program. Parklets serve as an extension to the sidewalk by occupying the parking lane to create unique community spaces. For more information on the Parklet program, click here.

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Online

Review
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Before submitting your application, review the general and design standards. The site plan of your proposed sidewalk dining area must include the total number of tables and chairs. The license has insurance requirements, and there are permit application fees. Read the Sidewalk Dining Guidelines for more information.
Submit an application
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Now that you are prepared, go to the Application for Sidewalk Dining Permit at CityGrows to apply for a Minor Outdoor Dining (MOD) & Use Permit. Follow the steps to complete your application. Please take note that City staff will contact you through the CityGrows website under Discussion. You can start a discussion and reply there too!
A Minor Outdoor Dining (MOD) & Sidewalk Use Permit may be issued to allow the placement of tables, chairs, and/or benches to be utilized for dining and/or restaurant waiting purposes. The permit approval process is based on providing and maintaining adequate pedestrian access.
Any change in setup from the approved site plan, such as expansion in size and/or placement of additional chairs and tables requires the submittal of a new permit application and revised seating location diagram for review and approval.
License
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When your permit has been approved through CityGrows, you will be required to submit a security deposit prior to the issuance of your Outdoor Dining Area License Agreement (ODA). Upon receipt of your ODA, you are welcome to operate your new outdoor dining area. ODA's are issued for a 5-year term and require payment of a monthly license fee (see table below).

Contact Us:

(310) 458-8906
econdev@santamonica.gov

FAQ

What is the cost to apply for a Sidewalk Dining Permit and License Agreement?

All operators of outdoor dining are required to pay all applicable permit, inspection fees, and applicable security deposits.

Review fees are charged by each City Department or Division that must review your sidewalk dining application. All applications are reviewed by Public Works, as outlined in the fee table above, but some sidewalk dining designs may require additional review by Mobility, Building and Safety, Planning, or Fire Departments. Individual Department or Division review fees range from $250 - $550. 

The Economic Development Division collects the monthly license fees, as posted in the fee table above.

What is the Wastewater Fee?

Wastewater fees apply if new seats are added to a restaurant. For businesses that simply moved indoor seats located in their establishments to the authorized outdoor dining area, there would be no additional seats and this fee will not apply. If adding new seats, the fees are $1,132.08 per seat for fast food establishments and $1,358.49 per seat for full-service restaurants. This fee is a onetime fee for net NEW seats. The one-time wastewater fee is collected for conveyance and treatment capacity improvements due to the increase in wastewater generated as a result of the net new seats. To claim any previous credits for existing seating, you will need to submit a site plan with the number of seats in your establishment previously approved/permitted along with an updated site plan to show the distribution of these seats for both indoor and outdoor dining area.

I have Sidewalk Dining and a Parklet and would like to keep both. Do I need to apply to both programs, separately?

Yes, you need to apply to both programs, separately.

For the Parklet Program, visit www.santamonica.gov/programs/parklets.

Am I required to locate my sidewalk dining area immediately adjacent to my business?

Yes, sidewalk dining must be located adjacent to the property. It is no longer permitted along the curb or grass median areas (between the sidewalk and curb) and cannot spill out onto the sidewalk from your parklet.

How can I ensure my sidewalk dining permit application is approved quickly?

Please review the Sidewalk Dining requirements before you submit your permit application(s) to ensure that you submit the required site plan and information. You MUST submit a detailed site plan with your application to include dimensions of the outdoor dining area, # tables/chairs and site conditions. Otherwise, your application will be deemed incomplete.

Here's the Site Plan Sample Diagram from the Parklet Manual to give an idea of the information required on your site plan submittals.

How long will I be able to operate my parklet and/or sidewalk dining area under the new Santa Monica Outdoors Programs?

Once your permit has been approved by Public Works and you have entered into a license agreement with the City, you will be granted a term of two years to operate your parklet and five years to operate your sidewalk dining license areas. These agreements may then be renewed thereafter, subject to Public Works inspections and neighbor approval (where applicable). The only exception is the Santa Monica Pier deck extended dining, where the license agreement will be granted on a month-to-month basis. When you renew your license agreements, you will 6 not be required to apply for a permit or pay new permit fees to continue to operate your outdoor operations unless there have been modifications to the outdoor operations/configurations that the City approved under your license agreement, in which case, the City will review such modifications to determine whether such modifications are authorized under the City’s new Santa Monica Outdoors Programs.

I had an existing Santa Monica Outdoor Dining License Agreement (prior to COVID) for sidewalk dining. Do I need to do anything more to continue operating?

If your license agreement is still valid, you may continue operating your sidewalk dining patio. If it has expired, you must renew the license agreement before you can continue to operate. If you have modified your sidewalk dining area (e.g., expanded), you will need to reapply and the City will then modify your license agreement. Please also check to confirm your insurance certificates are valid. You must have valid insurance to continue operating.

Does the City offer any relief or support for permit fees?

Businesses who are unable to afford the fees in its entirety up front may submit a Hardship Form for the City to determine whether the applicant qualifies for alternative payment options.

How do I know if I am eligible for a payment plan under the Santa Monica Outdoors Program?

A three-year Payment Plan for wastewater capital facility fees is available to eligible businesses that: (1) expand their dining operations by adding new restaurant seats thereby triggering the assessment of wastewater capital facility fees; and (2) submit an application for a parklet or sidewalk dining under the new Parklet and/or Sidewalk Dining Programs no later than February 28, 2023. The Payment Plan is an economic recovery measure that was approved to help ease the cost of the transition from the Santa Monica Outdoor Dining Pilot Program to the new Parklet and Sidewalk Dining Programs. At the time of submittal of an application for a permit for a parklet or sidewalk dining, or prior to receiving a permit from Public Works, eligible 2 businesses must request to pay the assessed wastewater capital facility fees under a Payment Plan and must agree to execute a Payment Plan Agreement with the City.

How do I participate in the Wastewater Capital Facility Fee Payment Plan?

Restaurant operators/applicants that wish to pay their required wastewater capital facility fees under a monthly installment payment plan, must pay approximately 20% of the total fee prior to permit issuance and must pay the remaining balance (which is the City of Santa Monica wastewater fee portion) over a three-year period. The initial 20% payment covers the City of Los Angeles fee who operates the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant which treats Santa Monica’s wastewater. Businesses who apply for an outdoor dining permit (parklet or sidewalk) before February 28, 2023, may enroll in the monthly installment payment plan by requesting this option with their applicable Public Works plan checker during design review or by selecting the option thru the CityGrows application under Step 2. Note that the feature under Step 2 will only appear for new/incoming applicants. Once wastewater fees are calculated and determined by Public Works staff during design review, Public Works staff will submit the applicants contact information along with the wastewater fee to the Finance Department. The Finance department will proceed to contact the applicant for processing details and execution of the Payment Plan Agreement.

Public Works - Plan Check Fee:	$263.79
Public Works - Outdoor Dining Inspection Fee:	$262.77
Planning Review Fee (applies if Alcohol is being served):	$107.52
Wastewater Capital Facility Fee for Restaurant (full service) per seat:	$1,395.12
-OR- Wastewater Capital Facility Fee for Restaurant (fast food) per seat:	$1,162.65

Citywide:	$1.00
Security Deposit (no barrier):	$500.00
Security Deposit (barrier):	$1,000.00

How to Apply for a Sidewalk Dining License

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Review

Submit an application

License

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One Time Fees

Monthly Fees per square foot

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Review

Submit an application

License

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One Time Fees

Monthly Fees per square foot