Businesses Can Now Apply for the Curbside Cafe and Marketplace Program
To help Tacoma businesses meet Washington Safe Start Phase 2 physical distancing requirements for reopening, we have launched the Curbside Café and Market Pilot Program. This is an extension of the our Sidewalks Café program.
Curbside café/markets, also known as streateries or parklets, are similar to sidewalk cafés but located in a parking space in the right-of-way. They function as an extension to an existing restaurant’s seating area or retail store.
As part of the program the City is waiving application fees, street use fees, and the cost of on-street parking associated with this program. We can also partner with you to provide railings, as availability allows, to those businesses that would like to use these instead of providing their own as part of the program.
What you will need for Permitting
- Application
- Site plan
- Certificate of Liability Insurance from authorized representative of your insurance company
- Proof of ownership and proof signature authority
How do I get started?
- Review the street location.
- Complete a site plan of the proposed curbside café/market using the template provided and identify all items proposed to be in the sidewalk and parking area.
- Consider what type of barrier will separate the curbside café/market from the travel way.
- If you wish to extend your liquor license to include the curbside café/market, you must comply with all City and State laws and ordinances, including those established by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). They can be contacted at: WSLCB, 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98504 or (360) 664-1600.
- Contact Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to see if your permit requires any changes to add seating. Visit, tpchd.org/food or call (253) 649-1706.
- Consider contacting City staff prior to submitting an application to address any questions.
Review Process Steps
- Apply online at TacomaPermits.org and attach all necessary information (see above).
- Your application will be evaluated by City departments for approvals.
- When all of the above requirements are met and approvals are final, the permit document will be issued.
General Guidelines
The guidelines and design standards for curbside café/market are general in order to encourage variety by the individual restaurant owner. Each approved curbside café/market shall:
- Only operate during regular business hours of host establishment.
- Directly abut the restaurant and be adjacent to the property (frontage or side).
- No closer than 25 feet of an intersection, 5 feet of a driveway, 30 feet of a stop sign, and 60 feet of a bus stop sign.
A tip sheet for the program is available.