How much does a sidewalk cafe permit cost in Seattle?

Under SDOT's current fee schedule, a year-round outdoor dining permit costs $1,317 to issue plus $216 for each additional space, then $635 a year to renew. A seasonal permit for April 1 to October 31 costs $540. Extra review and inspection time is billed at $358 an hour.

How long does it take to get an outdoor dining permit in Seattle?

SDOT says review can take 8 weeks or more. In city records, seasonal permits that were issued took a median of 38 days. Year-round permits took much longer, a median of 225 days, and many applications never show an issue date.

Can I serve alcohol at my Seattle sidewalk cafe?

Yes, with two extra steps. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board must approve an alteration to your license before you serve outdoors, and the area generally needs a 42-inch barrier. SDOT also requires $2 million in liability coverage per occurrence for cafes that serve alcohol.

How much sidewalk has to stay clear for pedestrians?

At least 6 feet in most Seattle neighborhoods and 8 feet on Downtown streets. SDOT may require more near busy transit stops or in pedestrian-designated zones.

Seattle outdoor dining permit: cost, timeline, and sidewalk cafe rules

Year-round or seasonal?

Long Term Use is a year-round permit that renews each year. SDOT invoices the renewal automatically while you stay in good standing.
Seasonal Use covers April 1 through October 31 only. Everything must be off the right-of-way by the end of October 31, and you reapply every year.

Your cafe can sit against the building (frontage zone), between the walking path and the curb (furniture zone), or in a parking space (curbspace, also called a streatery). If the business or property changes owners, the new owner has to apply for a new long-term permit.

What it costs

Fee	Amount
Year-round permit, issuance	$1,317
Each additional space	$216
Year-round renewal, per year	$635
Seasonal permit, issuance	$540
Extra review or inspection, per hour	$358

These come from SDOT's street use fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, the newest one we could find. A "space" is one frontage zone, furniture zone, or curbspace along a single building front. Budget separately for insurance, fencing, and any heaters or awning.

How long it takes

SDOT's applicant guide says review can take 8 weeks or more. SDOT's own review-time tracker showed 4 to 6 weeks for the first full review of cafe and other business permits between September 2025 and February 2026. The whole process runs longer, because of corrections and a public notice posted at your site.

Permit type	Applications	Issued	Typical range (days)	Median (days)
Seasonal	68	36	15 to 78	38
Year-round	336	139	86 to 436	225

Days run from application to issue, for permits applied for from 2021 on. Year-round permits are slow, and fewer than half of the applications in the record show an issue date. Some are still in review, and some were withdrawn. If you want tables out this summer, a seasonal permit is the faster path.

What SDOT checks on your site plan

You need a site plan, but it doesn't have to be drawn by a professional. It should show the cafe footprint and the sidewalk left over. The main rules:

Clear sidewalk. Leave at least 6 feet for people walking in most neighborhoods and 8 feet on Downtown streets. SDOT may ask for more near busy bus stops. If there isn't room, you may not be eligible.
Fencing. Fences and pedestrian diverters are 30 to 42 inches tall. If you serve alcohol, the state requires 42 inches.
Heat and light. Propane heat needs a Seattle Fire Department permit. Wiring a new outlet needs an SDCI electrical permit. Battery or solar low-voltage lights need no extra permit.
Insurance. A certificate of liability insurance plus a separate endorsement naming the City of Seattle as additional insured. Cafes that serve alcohol need $2 million per occurrence.

Serving alcohol outside

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board must approve an alteration to your license before you serve in the outdoor area. The area needs a barrier at least 42 inches tall, though a cafe on public property that touches your licensed space can use fence-free markers instead. If your license comes with food service requirements, you must offer the same food outside that you offer inside.

Awnings and canopies

An awning or canopy on your building is a separate SDCI sign, awning, and canopy permit, not part of the SDOT permit. In Seattle records since 2022, 412 non-residential permits of that type mention an awning or canopy, with a median declared value of $8,000. The most active contractors on those permits:

Contractor	Permits	Median declared
Western Neon	53	$13,950
Northwest Awning & Fabric	45	$9,750
National Sign Corporation	43	$7,820
Heath Northwest	18	$6,000
Insignia Sign and Re-Imaging	17	$15,000

Many of these permits are signs mounted on a canopy rather than new awnings, so sign companies rank high. Counts come from the contractor named on each permit and are not endorsements.

Common questions

How much does a sidewalk cafe permit cost? $1,317 to issue a year-round permit plus $216 per additional space, then $635 a year. A seasonal permit is $540.

How long does it take? SDOT says 8 weeks or more. Seasonal permits in the record took a median of 38 days; year-round permits took a median of 225.

Can I serve alcohol? Yes, once the state liquor board approves the outdoor area, with a 42-inch barrier and $2 million in liability coverage.

How much sidewalk must stay clear? 6 feet in most neighborhoods, 8 feet Downtown.

How we counted

Timelines come from SDOT's permit review time records on Seattle's open data portal: long-term, seasonal, and temporary street use permits whose descriptions mention a cafe, dining, streatery, or seating, applied for from January 2021 through September 2026. We counted each permit once and left out revisions. "Typical range" is the middle half of issued permits. Awning counts come from Seattle's Trade Permits dataset.