DRAFT – Outdoor Dining Guidelines | September 2026 Page 1 Outdoor Dining Guidelines
Purpose: The purpose of these guidelines is to provide criteria for the establishment of new permanent outdoor dining areas and to facilitate the transition of temporary patios to permanent outdoor dining that supports Laguna Beach’s public realm, businesses, pedestrians, and coastal character. These Outdoor Dining Guidelines provide a framework for businesses to obtain approvals for permanent outdoor dining areas at food service establishments, on private property or within the public right-of-way. This effort is focused not only on increasing opportunities to expand dining operations outdoors but also on creating enhanced active transportation consistent with Laguna Beach Municipal Code Section 25.52.006(G).
• Elevate design quality by replacing improvised temporary installations with durable, coordinated design intended for long-term use.
• Maintain accessibility by keeping sidewalks, the Promenade, access routes, drainage, and emergency access clear.
• Create outdoor spaces that feel distinctly Laguna Beach without imitating a single architectural style.
• Support local restaurants with flexible, attractive outdoor environments that encourage activity and community in commercial districts.
Types of Outdoor Dining
• Outdoor Seating Area
“Outdoor Seating Area” means a separately identifiable outdoor area on private property and located directly adjacent to or near a restaurant, used for the outdoor seating, service, and/or consumption of meals and beverages in conjunction with the restaurant. Typical improvements include a defined perimeter with landscape planters, decorative barriers, or fencing; concrete or pavers that separate the dining area floor from the ground or asphalt paving of a parking lot area; and outdoor furnishings such as shade structures, tables, and chairs. Outdoor seating areas may be proposed in areas formerly used for parking.
Required approvals may include:
- Conditional Use Permit
- Coastal Development Permit
- Building Permit
• Promenade
“Promenade” means dedicated outdoor dining areas associated with restaurants located within the new Promenade at Forest Avenue. A Coastal Development Permit for the construction of the Promenade limited the location of tables and chairs and the areas that could be licensed to food service operators.
Attachment 6
DRAFT – Outdoor Dining Guidelines | September 2026 Page 2 Required approvals may include:
- Conditional Use Permit
- License Agreement
• Sidewalk Café
“Sidewalk Café” means outdoor seating available to restaurant customers, when the outdoor seating is located on public property or right-of-way, and to the general public as well. A sidewalk café requires approval of a license agreement with the City.
Required approvals may include:
- Conditional Use Permit
- Encroachment Permit
- License Agreement
A. General Guidelines
1. Permanent Approval and Required Upgrades. Approval for permanent or ongoing outdoor dining or seating is not an authorization to perpetuate temporary conditions. As a condition of approval, temporary, makeshift, deteriorated, or visually incompatible features shall be removed or replaced with improvements that comply with these guidelines and an approved design plan. Required upgrades shall be completed before the outdoor area begins permanent operation, unless the applicable approval expressly authorizes a phased improvement schedule with enforceable completion dates.
2. Design Plan. Applications shall include a coordinated design plan identifying the proposed layout; paving or decking; colors and materials; tables, chairs, umbrellas, barriers, planters, lighting, heaters, signs, service equipment, and storage; accessibility features; and the routing or concealment of utilities. The plan shall also identify temporary improvements to be removed or replaced. Photographs of existing conditions and representative product or material information shall be provided as needed to demonstrate compliance.
3. Ongoing Design Compliance. The approved design plan shall be incorporated into the conditions of approval. Furniture, fixtures, finishes, barriers, and other visible elements shall be maintained consistent with the approved plan. Material changes or substitutions require City approval. Worn, damaged, faded, or incompatible elements shall be promptly repaired or replaced.
4. Accessible by Design. Outdoor dining areas shall be accessible by design and provide continuous accessible routes that are level, firm, and slip-resistant surfaces. Accessible seating shall be integrated into the layout.
5. Clear & Safe. Maintain required pedestrian, emergency, fire, utility, and building egress clearances, and do not block ramps, doors, hydrants, or sightlines. Furnishings may not obstruct entrances, exits, fire lanes, hydrants, drive aisles, or pedestrian or handicap access, nor conflict with other requirements of the Building and Fire codes.
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6. Durable & Repairable. Use commercial-grade outdoor furniture, paving, and decking that is suitable for sustained outdoor use. Materials shall be durable, fade-resistant, and repairable with corrosion-resistant hardware and replaceable components.
7. Coastal-Ready. Select materials and finishes appropriate for exposure to sun, salt air, wind, rain, and long-term maintenance.
8. Low Visual Clutter. Coordinate furniture, planters, barriers, lighting, umbrellas, signs, and service equipment as one cohesive composition and design that complements the building architecture, storefront, and site.
9. Green & Comfortable. Use shade, planting, and trees where feasible, and comfortable seating to support year-round outdoor use. Plant selection shall be appropriate for the location and maintained in healthy condition.
10. Signage. Signage is limited to freestanding menu boards or A-frame signs not to exceed a maximum sign area of 3 square feet and a maximum quantity of two, except where a more specific standard below applies. Avoid excessive branding, which shall remain secondary to the quality and character of the outdoor space.
11. Shade Structures. Shade structures and umbrellas shall complement the adjoining building and the other elements of the outdoor area. No logos are permitted on shade structures or umbrellas unless otherwise permitted by the City’s Municipal Code (i.e. canopy awnings).
12. Furniture. Furnishings should complement the overall aesthetics and façade treatments of the primary business. Coordinate chair and table heights, profiles, and finishes across the entire area. Residential-grade plastic furniture is prohibited.
13. Barriers & Planters. Permanent barriers should be of durable, weather-resistant, high-quality material and complement the outdoor dining experience. Barriers should match the same or complementary color as the other elements of the business front design, such as awnings or window frames, or selecting complementary materials and finish materials. Barrier design should preserve visibility and avoid creating a tunnel effect. Temporary plastic fencing, traffic barricades, and similar makeshift barriers are prohibited. Planters should be substantial to resist wind and remain stable. Integrate irrigation and maintenance access into the landscape design.
14. Lighting. Lighting fixtures may not create excessive glare or spill onto neighboring tenant spaces. Electrical equipment and cabling shall be concealed to the greatest extent feasible and integrated into the site design. On private property, electrical service shall comply with applicable codes and shall be routed through permanent, protected, and visually unobtrusive installations; extension cords may not serve as permanent wiring. Additional restrictions for installations within the public right-of-way are provided below.
15. Heating. No portable heaters shall be permitted, and permanent heating must be built-in fixtures mounted and installed directly to gas lines or hardwired electrical systems.
16. Maintenance. Outdoor dining areas must be always kept in clean conditions free from litter and debris by the business owner. Owner is responsible for prompt repair of damaged furniture, fixtures, planters, barriers, surfaces, and lighting.
17. Responsibility. The owner of the primary business is responsible for proper operation of the outdoor dining area. Outdoor dining shall be continuously supervised by management or employees. Food establishments serving alcoholic beverages shall have a supervisor, at least 21 years of age, on-site at all times of operation. Any behavior that disturbs customers DRAFT – Outdoor Dining Guidelines | September 2026 Page 4 or passersby on the sidewalk will constitute grounds for revocation of any permit(s) to operate an outdoor dining area.
18. Hours of Operation. The outdoor dining hours of operation shall be limited to the hours of operation of the associated food or drink establishment, and may be reduced as necessary to ensure activities remain compatible with surrounding land uses. The business hours shall be limited to X:XX to X:XX, Monday through Sunday.
19. Alcohol Service. Any service of alcoholic beverages in outdoor dining areas will be subject to approval by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and shall adhere to all requirements and standards implemented by said state agency.
20. Noise. The operations and use shall comply with the City’s Noise Ordinance, which establishes the maximum allowable exterior noise levels (e.g., 70 dBA in most downtown zones, and 65 dBA for commercial uses located in other zoning districts). Noise complaints may lead to unannounced inspections and noise readings by City staff. Noise concerns shall be addressed in a timely manner pursuant to Chapter 7.25 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code. A contact phone number shall be posted at the establishment’s entrance and outdoor dining area so any noise concerns can be reported to the business operator. Outdoor dining areas shall be subject to review by authorized City officials to ensure that noise complaints and/or potential noise ordinance violations are addressed. If necessary, modifications of the operating characteristics of outdoor dining areas may be required. If any noise complaints and/or noise ordinance violations are not adequately addressed, approvals for outdoor dining areas may be revoked at the discretion of the appropriate review authority.
21. No Solicitation. Employees shall not engage in sidewalk solicitation. Sidewalk solicitation may include any of the following: (1) the distribution of product samples outside of an enclosed building; (2) interactions that may occur between employees and pedestrians outside of an enclosed building with the intent to solicit business; or (3) any employee positioned with the intent to attract the patronage of a pedestrian located beyond the physical boundary of the establishment.
B. Outdoor Seating
1. Permanent outdoor dining areas must be an architecturally integrated extension of the primary structure with complementary finishes, colors, and materials.
2. Furnishings may not obstruct onsite entrances, exits, fire lanes, hydrants, drive aisles, or pedestrian handicap access, nor conflict with other requirements of the Building and Fire codes.
3. Permanent physical barriers, including landscape, railings, and boundary elements, must be located on private property and adjacent to the primary business. Use planting, low walls, railings or a combination to create a clear dining edge without creating visual mass.
4. Dining areas converted from parking spaces or other asphalt-paved areas shall replace the asphalt within the approved dining footprint with standard concrete, decorative concrete, unit pavers, tile, or another durable decorative paving material approved by the City. Paving shall distinguish the dining area from vehicular areas and shall be compatible with the building.
5. Patio flooring surfaces should integrate with the building, landscape, and grade, while maintaining separation from parking lots and sidewalks. Use durable, slip-resistant surfaces.
DRAFT – Outdoor Dining Guidelines | September 2026 Page 5 Resolve grade changes with compliant accessible routes and remove temporary, makeshift ramps.
6. Provide comfortable shade through trees, built-in umbrellas, retractable systems, or architecturally compatible shade structures.
7. Remove excessive signage, exposed equipment, electrical cords, plastic tarps, temporary or plastic fencing, or visually dominant branding.
8. Design drainage, lighting, wind protection, materials, and maintenance into the permanent, all-weather installation.
9. Locate seating to complement storefronts, plazas, courtyards, or landscaped areas.
10. Use moveable furniture such as tables, chairs, benches, and shade elements suited for outdoor exposure. When not in use, furniture must be stored indoors and out of public view.
11. Landscaped edges and barriers are encouraged to soften the space and reinforce the City’s coastal setting.
12. Trash and recycling receptacles should be conveniently located and visually integrated, and regularly maintained.
C. Promenade
1. License Agreement Required. Restaurants along the Forest Avenue Promenade may enter into a license agreement with the City for use of the designated patio area and city-owned fixtures only, including shade structure, tables, chairs, and heaters.
2. No Reservations. Licensee shall not reserve, hold, mark as reserved, or otherwise represent as unavailable any Public Furnishings, whether for specific customers, parties, or events.
Licensee acknowledges that Public Furnishings may be relocated, reconfigured, or removed by City at any time, including for community events such as large-scale community meals, and may therefore be unavailable without notice.
3. Community Events. City reserves the right to temporarily suspend the License, in whole or in part, during City-sponsored or City-permitted events on the Promenade. No abatement of the License Fee shall apply to routine or short-term event closures; extended closures may be addressed by mutual written agreement.
4. No Fixed Improvements. No barriers, additional furniture, restaurant service station, food preparation, amplified sound, or other improvements are permitted within the Promenade area unless otherwise approved by the City.
5. No Alterations. Licensee shall not affix signage to, modify, remove, or relocate any Public Furnishings without prior written approval of City, except for the incidental repositioning of chairs in the ordinary course of service.
6. No storage. Licensee shall not store or otherwise leave items (service carts, service equipment, and any restaurant-related product) in the Promenade for any duration over 15 minutes, or as long as is needed to provide service, busing, and cleaning to the Public Furnishings.
7. Pedestrian Traffic. All servers and restaurant patrons shall yield to the flow of pedestrian traffic on Promenade walkways between the business frontage and the designated patio areas.
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8. Cooperation. Licensee shall cooperate in good faith with City staff, other licensed restaurants, and members of the public in the shared use of the Promenade, and shall direct its employees to conduct themselves courteously and professionally at all times.
9. Maintenance and Cleaning. Licensee shall be responsible for maintenance and cleaning of the outdoor dining area and Promenade walkways between the business frontage and the designated patio. Where Licensee has provided food or beverage service at any Public Furnishing, Licensee shall promptly bus the table, remove all serviceware, trash, and debris associated with that service, and wipe down the table surface, leaving it in a clean condition for the next user.
10. Trash and Disposal. Utilize designated trash enclosures and provide separate containers for solid waste, recycling, and organics in coordination with the City’s franchised solid waste hauler. All trash and recyclables shall be disposed in appropriate containers and stored in an orderly manner. The Licensee shall be responsible to monitor the Promenade area directly fronting the business location to collect and dispose of all litter.
11. Hours of Operation. City-owned tables and chairs shall be open to the public when the restaurant is closed for business.
12. Alcoholic Beverage Service.
a. If Licensee serves alcoholic beverages within the Promenade Service Area, Licensee shall comply at all times with all rules, regulations, license conditions, and requirements of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) and City, including obtaining and maintaining any required license expansion, catering authorization, or premises modification applicable to the Service Area.
b. As required under ABC law, each beverage container served by Licensee shall be branded or otherwise marked with an identifier showing the establishment from which the beverage was sold. This is a mandatory requirement of this Agreement, not a recommendation.
c. Licensee is solely responsible for monitoring its customers’ consumption of alcoholic beverages, preventing service to minors and obviously intoxicated persons, and ensuring alcoholic beverages remain within any area authorized by Licensee’s ABC license. Any suspension or revocation of Licensee’s ABC license shall automatically suspend Licensee’s right to serve alcoholic beverages under this Agreement.
13. Signage. Signage is limited to no more than two (2) portable menu boards and a total allowable sign area of three (3) square feet. Signs shall not be affixed to any hydrant, light pole, fixture, or other permanent structure within the Promenade. No signage or barriers shall be installed to restrict seating areas reserved for customers only.
14. Customer Identification. Licensee is encouraged to use custom stanchion cards or similar table markers so that its food service staff can locate its customers, who may be interspersed among non-customers at the Public Furnishings.
15. Number of License Agreements Issued. The City Council may limit the number of license agreements to be issued within the Promenade.
DRAFT – Outdoor Dining Guidelines | September 2026 Page 7 D. Sidewalk Café
1. Pedestrian & Vertical Clearances. Any outdoor dining areas in the public right-of-way shall maintain a minimum 4-foot wide unobstructed ADA clearance on the sidewalk and a minimum 7-foot height clearance measured from the walking surface to any vertical obstruction, such as signage, umbrellas, or awnings, to ensure pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Where feasible, use a baseless shade element, such as awnings attached to a façade or umbrellas mounted on barriers, to minimize encroachments into the public sidewalk.
2. Water Quality & Maintenance. Require strict measures to address water quality concerns, prohibiting any wash water, debris, or pollutants from entering the municipal storm drain system. Mandate daily removal and clean-up during non-business hours, requiring all portable furnishings and equipment be securely stored off the public right-of-way.
3. Indemnification & Risk Management. Require businesses operating the public right-of-way to indemnify the City for any risk, liability, or claims arising from their private use of public property.
4. Encroachment Permits & Compliance Checks: Require an annual right-of-way encroachment permit combined with periodic compliance inspections by City staff.
5. City Reservation & 48-Hour Removal Notice: The City reserves the right to require immediate removal or relocation of any encroachments for special events, utility work, or municipal functions, and business owners agree to completely clear the right-of-way within a 48-hour notice upon request by the City.
6. Seating Layout. Seating is limited to a maximum of one row of tables and chairs located within 10 feet of the building façade. The interior of the sidewalk café shall consist solely of moveable furnishings. A minimum distance of 8 feet shall be maintained from entrances to adjacent ground floor commercial spaces, unless the property owners and first floor tenants of the affected lease provide a notarized letter of permission.
7. Corner Visibility. All improvements must be located at least 15 feet from any adjacent intersection or street corners.
8. Barriers. If alcohol service is proposed, a physical barrier shall be required to delineate service area. Landscaping may be placed in moveable planters or planted in the ground inside a delineated sidewalk café area adjacent to the barrier. If located adjacent to on-street parking, provide a barrier that is at least 3 feet tall and does not obstruct access to any existing parking meters.
9. Lighting. Lighting shall be portable, self-contained, and powered by batteries or solar energy.
Electrical cords or cables may not cross any portion of the sidewalk or pedestrian path, whether placed on or beneath a temporary surface, covered by a cord protector, or suspended overhead. Extension cords from the adjoining business to a Sidewalk Café are prohibited. Lighting fixtures shall not encroach into the required pedestrian passageway or create glare.
10. Sidewalk Surface. The existing sidewalk should remain the finished walking surface wherever feasible. No raised platform may be permitted unless specifically approved and accessible.
11. Encroachment Permit Required. Any proposed improvements within the public right-of-way, including new sidewalks, curbs, landscaping or barriers, shall require approval of an Encroachment Permit. Note that properties fronting Coast Highway or Laguna Canyon Road are fronting Caltrans right-of-way.