I think we can all agree that the Covid-19 shutdown wasn’t the best time, but it did have one silver lining – a resurgence of al fresco dining in Los Angeles. With our amazing weather year-round, it’s not surprising that diners still want to enjoy their food and drinks outdoors.
As a restaurateur or property owner, how do you make it happen? How do you install a parklet for outdoor dining in Los Angeles?
It all begins with an A-Permit.
What is an A-Permit and what does it cover in Los Angeles?
Outdoor dining areas are allowed on most commercial properties in Los Angeles. However, both uncovered and covered outdoor dining areas within private property require a building permit.
Think of an A-Permit as the city’s rubber stamp of approval on construction projects in the public right-of-way. An A-Permit ensures that the installation of the parklet complies with state and local regulations.
What is a public right-of-way, you may ask? Those are street easements that contain:
- City streets and lanes
- Alleys
- Parkways
- Sidewalks
- Public easements and unimproved streets
An A-Permit covers a wide array of construction projects including:
- Installation of streetscape fixtures (bicycles racks, speed humps, parklets, parkways landscaping/, etc.)
- Sidewalk installation
- Sidewalk repair
- Curb and gutter repair
- Street tree wells
- Curb drains
- New driveway installations
- Driveway repair
- Street resurfacing/repairs for minor excavations
Let’s say you want to build that outdoor seating in a parking area on a city street. You need an A-Permit. Install outdoor seating on your patio or on the sidewalk? You’ll need an A-Permit for that construction.
Why do I need an A-Permit for my outdoor seating/parklet in Los Angeles?
If you are installing outdoor seating in areas that pedestrians or cars regularly use, you need an A-Permit.
What other permits do I need to install a parklet or outdoor seating in Los Angeles?
If you are doing any construction in the public right-of-way, you’ll need an A-Permit. However, to get the city’s approval on your outdoor seating, you will have to submit plans to the LA Department of Transportation, Fire Department, and Bureau of Sanitation.
Planning on serving alcohol outdoors? You will need to submit your plan and your alcohol sales approvals to the City Planning Department. If your restaurant is downtown, you will want to contact the Department of City Planning’s Beverage, Entertainment and Streamlined (BESt) to find out how to qualify for an easier application to serve alcohol outdoors.
How much will my permits cost to install a parklet/outdoor seating?
The fees are the same if you are installing on-street dining or sidewalk dining.
If you are installing on-street dining, you will have to pay at least $1,200 fee to the LA Department of Transportation for an application review.
The LA Bureau of Sanitation (LASAN) charges $138 per seat for limited service and $165 per seat for full service. The LA Fire Department also charges $504 for the initial inspection and plot pan review.
If applicable, you will need to apply for an A-Permit and pay the following to the city’s Bureau of Engineering:
- There is a $314 base fee
- $215 hourly review fee
- $95 hourly inspection fee
A city inspector will have to check to see that your site follows all city, county, state and federal regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Planning on serving alcohol outdoors? That is a whole other set of regulations you’ll have to decipher.
Sound like a work? It is and it isn’t. For the experienced permit expeditor, this is not a problem. Any professional expert expeditor already has years of experience with the ins and outs of the city permitting process. If you were to do it by yourself, it will take a lot of time and energy and cause countless headaches. Best to hire a professional to work through the process for you.
Ready to get started on that al fresco dining? Give us a call today for a free estimate.
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