Sidewalk Café Permits
Last Friday, the City of Pittsburgh Public Works Department cited several businesses for not having appropriate permits for sidewalk cafés.
In order to put out tables on the sidewalk, you must go down to Department of Public Works, 611 Second Avenue. Please see below for the requirements to meet the city code.
There were also violations for merchandise being sold on the sidewalk. In order to be in compliance with the city, you must get an “Extension of Premises Permit”. There is a $25.00 fee and you also go to 611 Second Avenue to obtain this permit.
While this may seem like a lot of regulation, there are reasons for it. The city needs to make sure there is proper insurance so that if someone does trip over a table or chair, they cannot sue the City or the business owner. The City also has to maintain all Americans with Disabilities Act requirements in public right of ways. Because they do, they need to have a level of control as to what private businesses do in the public right of way (the entire sidewalk is the public right of way).
Please see the directions below:
e) A resolution of Council is not required for cafes that meet the specifications described below, and a permit may be obtained from the Department of Public Works without a Council Resolution:
(1) All sidewalk cafes must have removable barriers that encompass the entire cafe. (Rope & Stanchion)
(2) A minimum of five (5) feet of open sidewalk must be maintained for pedestrian traffic.
(3) Insurance must be obtained naming City of Pittsburgh as Co-Insured.
Limits:
$100,000.00–$300,000.00–Public Liability
$50,000.00–Property.
(4) Applicant must obtain an occupancy permit from zoning.
(5) Applicant must obtain approval from the Department of Public Works and the City Council Member of the District and Ward the cafe is in.
(6) The City Council Member representing the District where the cafe is proposed shall acknowledge, in writing, having reviewed the application, prior to issuance of the permit.
(7) A one hundred twenty-five dollar ($125.00) application fee on all new sidewalk cafe applications. A fifty dollar ($50.00) renewal fee each year after.
(Ord. 20-1991, effective 6-18-91; Ord. 11-1992, effective 4-21-92; Am. Ord. 19-1998, effective 7-30-98; Ord. 25-1998, effective 11-6-98; Ord. 19-2001, § 1, eff. 8-9-01; Ord. 24-2002, § 1, eff. 7-23-02)
CODE OF ORDINANCES
City of PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
Codified through
Ord. No. 18-2008, enacted Oct. 13, 2008.
(Supplement No. 16)