All restaurants that don’t have a Conditional Use Permit, Administrative Use Permit, or Deemed Approved status for their outdoor dining are now required to obtain an Operator Permit. This Permit streamlines the process, while managing all outdoor operations.

The Operator Permit includes provisions for: 

• Hours of operation 
• Alcohol service 
• Music 
• Security 

If a business is operating on city property, they are required to complete a License Agreement for use of the city space. The Agreement also serves as a permit for use of city property and the public space. 

Some of the conditions outlined in the License Agreement include: 

• License term (five years)
• Lease rate for use of city property
• Provisions for emergency access 

Fees have been established as a flat rate for the application fee (where applicable), a space use rate for use of city property, and a flat rate for the Operator Permit. See table below for fees. 

Additional permit fees will be applied. The Outdoor Dining Fee Structure provides an overview of all fees and permits required. Additional fees for required permits (such as building and construction permits) may be applied. Information about permit fees and custom design fees is available in the Master Fee Schedule.  

Central Contra Costa County Sanitation

Additional fees may apply from Central Costa County Sanitation based on additional square footage of PODS or outdoor dining space. See Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District Ordinance 324 for more info. 

This is a new option, borne out of the Rebound Program “pop-ups”. These are on-street structures, built and operating in public parking spaces. 

PODS can be built with a roof or without for an open-air feel. To enhance visibility throughout the downtown, a PODS can have a roof only if an existing outdoor dining space does not have a roof (only one roof per outdoor dining space allowed). Also, to ensure equitable use of the public space, all PODS must be constructed only within the frontage of their business, not impeding onto a neighboring business.   

Two options are available for the design of PODS: Mix & Match and Custom. 

Mix & Match 

Under this design option, elements of PODS are pre-approved. The restaurant or bar choosing this option just selects from the pre-approved elements, mixing-and-matching to suit their business’ brand.  

Certain elements must be included, including a concrete perimeter for safety and planters for the overall downtown aesthetic. The design options are laid out in the PODS Mix & Match Design Guidelines.  Engineering plan sets to accompany the PODS Mix & Match will also be provided, to give direction to your architect or engineer. See the PODS Mix & Match Submittals Packet for details.

Custom 

If a business chooses to go the Custom route, they can certainly do so. However, with the customized design a review by City staff and the Design Review Commission will be required. 

The elements of a concrete perimeter and planters are also required in the Custom design option. 

Outdoor dining patios located on city property, typically on a sidewalk, with a fenced barrier (allowing for alcohol service with ABC License). Not to be confused with Sidewalk Dining (below), which does not have a fenced barrier. 

As with any built structure, engineering plan sets and building permits will be required. City-owned Dining Patios will require city staff review, and depending on the complexity of the design, may require review by the Design Review Commission. See the City Patio Submittals Packet for details.

Outdoor dining patios with a fenced barrier (allowing for alcohol service with ABC License) and located on private property. They are typically located on a sidewalk. Not to be confused with Sidewalk Dining (below), which does not have a fenced barrier.   

As with any built structure, engineering plan sets and building permits will be required. Private Dining Patios will require city staff review, and depending on the complexity of the design, may require review by the Design Review Commission.

Another new option borne from Rebound is the opportunity to provide dining within private parking lots. The parking lot must be adjacent to the restaurant or bar to use this option.

As a built structure in a parking lot, safety regulations to protect diners from surrounding vehicles will be imposed. Additionally, engineering plan sets and building permits will be required. 

PODS Mix & Match

Under this design option, elements of PODS are pre-approved. The restaurant or bar choosing this option just selects from the pre-approved elements, mixing-and-matching to suit their business’ brand. 

Certain elements must be included, including a concrete perimeter for safety and planters for the overall downtown aesthetic. The design options are laid out in the PODS Mix & Match Design Guidelines. Engineering plan sets to accompany the PODS Mix & Match will also be provided, to give direction to your architect or engineer.

PODS Custom

If a business chooses to go the Custom route, they can certainly do so. However, with the customized design a review by City staff and the Design Review Commission will be required.

The elements of a concrete perimeter and planters are also required in the Custom design option.

Sidewalk Dining is one of the “tried and true” options, previously known as “Tables and Chairs”. This is also on a sidewalk, but with no fenced barrier, and therefore, no alcohol service. See the Sidewalk Dining Submittals Packet for details.