Design your sidewalk Shared Space

If you are applying to use the parking lane too, you must also follow the parking lane Shared Spaces rules.

With a sidewalk Shared Spaces permit, you may use the sidewalk in front of your business or organization, or in front of another nearby location with permission from the fronting entity.  

You need your neighbor’s permission to use space in front of their business.

You cannot build on the sidewalk. You cannot bolt or fix your furniture to the sidewalk. You must take everything inside when you close for business every day. 

You cannot put stickers or spray paint on the sidewalk, except for social distancing markings.

For safety, emergency responders always need access to emergency infrastructure, like fire hydrants. 

Your site plan must meet our required clearances: 

• Fire hydrants must have a 5-foot clearance in all directions 
• Fire escape ladders must a 4-foot clearance in all directions around the ladder 
• Fire Department connections (like standpipes) must have a 3-foot clearance in all directions 

You cannot put anything in a bus stop zone or within 10 feet of a bus shelter. 

Clear path of travel 

You must maintain a 6-foot (or 8 feet where physically feasible) clear path of travel path on your sidewalk. This path must be straight and free of obstructions at all times. 

Diverters 

You must put diverters on each end of your sidewalk Shared Space. 

Diverters help people who are blind or have low-vision to navigate the space around them.   

See details about diverters in the Shared Spaces manual. 

Nothing may extend beyond the diverters at any point. See more specifics in the Café Table and Chairs Order Section III. K.  

Space for wheelchair user at accessible table and counters 

You must have at least 1 accessible table available for wheelchair users. 

The table must: 

• Be between 28 to 34 inches high 
• Have at least 27 inches of space from the floor to the bottom of the table 
• Provide knee clearance that extends at least 19 inches under the table 
• Have a total clear floor space of 30 inches by 48 inches per seat 
• Be located at least 4 feet from the nearest obstruction 
• Have a label displaying the International Symbol of Accessibility 

You must make sure there is an accessible route to the table.

Propane heaters  

You must get approval from the Fire Department for any portable heater, portable generator, candles, open flame or any activity regulated by Fire Code.

Apply for an operational permit from the Fire Department. 

Overhead objects  

All hanging or overhead objects, like umbrellas or canopies, must be at least 7 feet from the ground. 

The base of an overhead object, like an umbrella, cannot extend beyond the diverters. 

Trays and carts 

Do not place or store food trays or carts, bins for dirty dishes, trays or carts for linen and utensils, and cooking appliances in the sidewalk area. 

Bins  

You must provide trash, recycling, and compost in the sidewalk area. They must be brought in at the close of business every day.