Sidewalk Café Permit

Sidewalk Café Information

1. Application Process

   To apply for a Sidewalk Café Obstruction permit the applicant needs to complete Sidewalk Cafe Application in PAULIE consisting of the following:

   1. A signed and dated application

   2. A current ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance form

   3. Copy of the site plan (ONLY if the application is NEW or the seating plan has changed)

   4. Payment ($60 – Credit card, check, or cash (exact amount))

   *Existing sidewalk café permittees will be sent an obstruction permit renewal form annually.

2. Application

   Submit Your Sidewalk Cafe Application in PAULIE

3. Insurance

   Obtain a Certificate of Insurance (COI/ACORD) from your insurance provider, verifying general liability coverage at least $1,500,000 that specifies coverage of the entire proposed sidewalk café area and names “The City of Saint Paul” as an additional (See example below):

   CERTIFICATE HOLDER 
   City of St. Paul

   899 North Dale Street 
   Saint Paul, MN 55103

   The Insurance Endorsement to be included on ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance form 25 under: “Description of Operations/Locations/Vehicles/Exclusions Added by Endorsement/Special Provisions.” The City of Saint Paul is included as Additional Insured with regard to General Liability as required by written contract. Excess/Umbrella Liability extends over General Liability to conform to the minimum insurance requirements of $1,500,000.

4. Site Plan

   Complete a Site Plan of the proposed sidewalk café area drawn in accordance with the Sidewalk Café Site Plan Standards handout if you are applying for a NEW sidewalk café permit. Site plans for outdoor seating will be reviewed and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer prior to the issuance of a Sidewalk Café Permit.  Once approved and if no changes are proposed the permit can be renewed annually using the approved site plan.

5. Fees & Payment

   Annual permit fee of $76.00 (typical permit fees)

   The following payment methods for the $76 permit fee are accepted:

   • Credit card. Our permit desk will call you when processing the permit request to obtain a credit card number.

   • Check. A check can be mailed in, along with all other application documents or be hand delivered at our service counter (899 N Dale St).

   • Cash. We can accept cash if the payment is provided in the exact amount.

6. Inspections

   Sidewalk Café permits require an on-site inspection.

   To schedule an inspection appointment, contact the ROW Inspector at 651-266-9804.  

7. Expiration & Renewal

   Sidewalk Café permits are valid from April 1 through October 31 each year. Your general liability insurance must be inclusive of these dates.

   • A copy of your insurance certificate (ACORD form) shall be provided to the ROW Division prior to or at the same time you apply for a Sidewalk Café permit.

   You must obtain a new permit annually prior to placing furnishings related to a Sidewalk Café on the public sidewalk.

   For EXISTING Sidewalk Cafés, a renewal form will be sent annually to the permittee. The completed, signed, and dated form shall be returned to the ROW Permit Division with the annual permit fee. 

8. Liquor Outdoor Service (DSI)

   Alcohol service on a public sidewalk requires both a Sidewalk Café permit and a Liquor Outdoor Service Area license issued by the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). This license allows on-sale alcohol establishments to serve alcohol in the approved permit areas and requires a separate application process.

   For more information on the Liquor Outdoor Service Area license:

   • Liquor Outdoor Service Area license handout
   • Chapter 409 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code
   • Questions may be directed to the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI at 651-266-8989 or dsicomplaints@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

9. Additional Information

   Food cannot be prepared outdoors without authorization from the Minnesota Department of Health, 651-201-4500.

   For more information on the Sidewalk Café Obstruction Permit, see Chapter 106 of the Saint Paul Legislative.