Cafe Seating at Downtown and Hill Businesses

The City of Boulder now allows these establishments to provide temporary street furniture without a permit under the following conditions:

  • Property is located within the University Hill and General Improvement District or Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District and excluding the Pearl Street Mall.
  • The furniture shall consistent solely of tables or chairs intended for outdoor use. Furniture shall be constructed of metal or similarly stable and durable materials that are subject to approval by the city manager. Any other encroachments, including limitation umbrellas and railings are not allowed.
  • The placement or use of the furniture cannot impair or impede the utility of the right-of-way or easement for its designated purpose.
  • Establishment must provide the city with a certificate of general comprehensive liability (1M per occurrence; 2M aggregate) with description of operations reading: City of Boulder, its officials and employees are named as additional insured at (name and exact address of business).
  • The furniture is available for use by the general public. Temporary street furniture for the exclusive use of patrons, offering table service of food or beverages or associated with an establishment licensed to serve alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
  • The furniture must be temporary in nature and removed easily without tools or equipment.
  • The furniture must be removed and securely stored on private property between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. or outside of business hours, whichever is more restrictive.
  • No amplified music provided to the right of way area.
  • The placement or use of the furniture does not reduce the unobstructed width of the adjacent sidewalk to less than six feet. The unobstructed width may be reduced to five feet for a maximum distance of five feet in areas adjacent to fixed public infrastructure, including, but not limited to, utility poles, parking payment facilities, and fire hydrants.
  • The sidewalk area adjacent to the furniture is accessible to and usable to persons of all levels of mobility and the sidewalk area can be used in a manner that is consistent with the federal Americans for Disabilities Act.
  • Additional configurations of cafe seating may be considered and would need the approval of city staff.
  • There is no application fee for cafe seating.

Application Process

If interested in applying for a cafe seating permit, please email Brian Holihan, District Vitality Specialist, holihanb@bouldercolorado.gov.