Applications for sidewalk cafes must be made through the permitting web portal.

Through the BACP-issued sidewalk café permit, brick-and-mortar retail food establishments and tavern licenses can extend onto the sidewalk directly in front of or adjacent to their establishment. 

Requirements:

• Applicants must have a valid Retail Food Establishment license or tavern license.
• Applicants intending to serve liquor at a Sidewalk Cafe must have a valid Liquor license pursuant to Chapter 4-60 of the Municipal Code of the City of Chicago.
• Sidewalk cafes must be located on the sidewalk only- they cannot extend into the street or empty lots.
• Sidewalk cafes may extend in front of a neighboring property that is not a retail food or retail liquor establishment. If extending along the building side of the sidewalk, the café applicant must submit proof that they have notified in writing the owner and occupant of the neighboring property of their intention to submit an application for a sidewalk café that extends in front of their property.
• Sidewalk cafes must have a boundary that fully encloses the permitted area and separates the area from the remainder of the public way, with the exception of the entrance(s).
• Sidewalk cafes must be positioned to allow for a 6-foot clearance for pedestrians along the sidewalk.
• A full list of requirements can be found in the Online Sidewalk Café Application and in the Sidewalk Cafe Rules and Regulations. 

How to apply:

• All public way use applications must be made through the permitting web portal, including for the issuance and renewal of Sidewalk Cafe Permits.  
• Applicants will need to create an account in the portal system and submit the full application through the portal. Additional information, including required materials, can be found on the portal - APPLY TODAY
• The Certificate of Insurance must be uploaded to the portal before BACP can approve the application – the full list of required materials can be found on the portal
• After the application is approved, the applicants will be directed to pay via the portal.
• Upon payment, BACP will notify the applicant electronically that the permit has been approved. The permit itself and the approved plan must be printed and displayed on the exterior wall or window of the main entrance of the establishment during all hours of operation.
• Questions can be submitted to BACP at publicwayuse@cityofchicago.org.