Santa Barbara's beautiful weather and thriving downtown area creates the perfect atmosphere for outdoor dining.

The Outdoor Dining Program allows restaurateurs the opportunity to enter into an agreement with the City to use a portion of the public right of way for outdoor dining purposes.

Since its inception, the Outdoor Dining Program has been a tremendous success with businesses, tourists and locals alike.

If you are wondering if your restaurant site is conducive to participating in the Outdoor Dining Program, you may request a pre-application site consultation with Mike Cloonan, Project Engineer I, mcloonan@santabarbaraca.gov.

Outdoor Dining Licenses

Following is a submittal checklist for your use in applying for an Outdoor Dining License for your restaurant:

Application Submittal 

• Master Application
• Outdoor Dining License Application and Guidelines
• Public Works Application Review Fee
• Community Development Design Review Fee
• A detailed site plan on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. All sidewalk obstruction shall be noted and detailed dimensions shall be clearly shown. (See sample site plan.)
• A copy of your Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Santa Barbara as an additional insured.
• A photograph of your proposed Outdoor Dining area.
• A photograph or vendor specification on proposed furniture.

The above items shall be returned to the City of Santa Barbara, Public Works Permit Counter, P.O. Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990.

Note: Submittal of an applicaiton is not an approval to set up outdoor dining.

If you have any questions regarding the Outdoor Dining Program, please contact Mike Cloonan, Project Engineer I, at (805) 564-5365.

Municipal Code Chapter 9.95 governs the use of sidewalks and rights of way for dining purposes.