Sidewalk Cafe Permit

Step 1.Eligibility

All the following items are required:

• The café must be located on street-level public sidewalks within Downtown San Antonio (excludes Market Square, La Villita, and the River Walk).
• A clear path of travel at least 6 feet wide must remain for pedestrians.
• The applicant must be either the property owner or tenant/lessee of the adjacent food establishment.
• The establishment must comply with all City, state, and federal rules, including the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) requirements.

Step 2.Required Documents

These documents must be included with your application:

• General Application(PDF, 208KB)
• Letter of Authorization(PDF, 127KB)
• Policies and Procedures(PDF, 238KB)
• Photograph of the area intended for the sidewalk café.
• Site Plan (minimum size 8 1/2 by 11 inches) with:
  • Clearly identified measurements
  • North arrow and property lines
  • Name of adjoining streets
  • Outdoor seating plan
  • Width of the adjacent sidewalk(s)
  • Location of building entrances and existing improvements (e.g., utility poles, fire hydrants, traffic signs)
  • Dimensions of the proposed café area and remaining sidewalk width for public pedestrian access (minimum of 6 feet)
• Letter of Insurance from an insurance agent agreeing to provide coverage as per the City’s policies.
• Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) approval (if applicable).
• Copy of your Alcohol License/Permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) (if applicable).
• Letter of Authorization signed by the property owner (if the applicant is not the owner).

Additionally, approval from the Office of Historic Preservation and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility is also required. These approvals must occur before issuing the permit and using the sidewalk.

Step 3.Apply

Email CCDO with your applications and required documents.

You may also choose to drop them off in person at the CCDO Office at 400 N. St. Mary’s St., Suite 100. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on City holidays.

• After reviewing your submission, City staff will conduct a site visit and contact you with next steps.
• If approved, the City will issue an invoice for the permit fee based on the size of the café area:
  

  Size	Annual Fee
  Less than 250 square feet	$250
  250 - 500 square feet	$500
  Greater than 500 square feet	$750

Step 4.Submit Payment and Insurance

When you receive the invoice:

• Pay the permit fee.
• Submit the original Certificate of Insurance and letter of endorsement from your insurance provider to the City.

City staff will verify the documents, and if everything is complete, issue the sidewalk café permit.