Skip to Main Content View Text-Only

The City of Portland, Oregon

Click here to give us feedback!

Portland Bureau of Transportation

We keep Portland moving

Phone: 503-823-5185

Fax: 503-823-7576

1120 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 800, Portland, OR 97204

More Contact Info

Sidewalk Café Permits

A sidewalk café is defined as a permitted area within the public right-of-way consisting of tables and chairs where patrons may be served food and/or beverages from an adjacent café or restaurant. Sidewalk cafes typically consist of tables and chairs arranged in a single row on the sidewalk.  City Code states that it is unlawful for any person to operate a sidewalk café on any public street or sidewalk within the City of Portland without first obtaining a valid permit from the City Engineer.

For detailed information please see the Sidewalk Cafe Permit Information and Application Packet.

Sidewalk Cafés are covered in section 17.25 of City Code.

An information/application packet is available online or at 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Rm 800.

(Portland Building) Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Contact Us

Phone: 503-823-7002  Option 5
Fax: 503-279-3968
Email: sidewalkcafe@portlandoregon.gov

 

FEE INCREASE NOTICE - EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013

On July 1, 2013, Portland’s Bureau of Transportation will implement a revised rate schedule for various right-of-way use and construction permits issued by the Bureau of Transportation Development & Capital Program.

Among the permits slated for rate adjustments are those for the Sidewalk Café Program.  The following are the fees for the fiscal year 2013-2014:

Application Fee Base

per café

$175.00

Application Fee Area Usage

per linear foot

$5.50

Annual Permit Fee Base

per café

$85.00

Annual Permit Fee Area Usage

per linear foot

$2.75

Permit Reinstatement

per incident

$525.00

These rates will apply to all new applications and renewals received on July 1, 2013 or after.  All new applications and renewals received prior to July 1, 2013 will be at the current rate for the 2013 permit year.