(A) Purpose And Intent: The purpose of this section is to establish regulations to allow limited dining areas to encroach into the public right of way as an ancillary component of an adjacent primary business that is located on private property. It is intended that such sidewalk dining areas will not unduly restrict public access or utilize a design that detracts from the image and appearance of the surrounding area.
(B) Definitions: The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation of this section:
CHAIR: Further defined as either a distinct piece of furniture designed to allow one person to sit upon the same, or when seating is provided on a bench or other similar structure, then every twenty inches (20") of seating space shall be considered as the equivalent of one chair for determining seating capacity.
DIRECTOR: The director of development services department.
FURNITURE: Collectively includes tables, chairs, benches, umbrellas, waiter stands, barriers, tray stands, planters, trash receptacles, or other furniture normally associated with dining.
SIDEWALK DINING AREA: Use of an adjacent, outside area by a food or beverage establishment for the same eating and drinking activities that occur within the establishment. The outdoor dining area may be located in a public right of way pursuant to this section.
(C) Sidewalk Dining Areas Permitted: Sidewalk dining areas shall be permitted to encroach into the public sidewalks abutting eating establishments for sidewalk dining purposes within all commercial zone districts.
(D) Location:
1. Sidewalk dining areas in the public right of way shall not extend beyond the boundaries of the primary business property to which such activity is subordinate.
2. Sidewalk dining areas may extend into the public right of way; however, a clear pedestrian pathway shall be maintained the full width of the property. The pathway shall maintain a minimum unobstructed passageway of five feet (5') as measured from the dining area to edge of curb or to any obstruction including, but not limited to, light standards, benches, street trees, trash containers, and newsracks.
(E) Insurance: The permittee shall maintain general liability insurance for the benefit of the city of a type and amount as determined appropriate by the city manager.
(F) Standards: General standards for sidewalk dining areas:
1. Development Standards:
(a) Facilities and equipment shall be of a quality and style that is consistent with the design guidelines adopted by the city and any other applicable design standards and policies. The design, quality, materials and colors used for chairs, tables, lighting and other fixtures shall complement the architectural style and colors used on the adjacent buildings. Sidewalk dining furniture, equipment, and other amenities shall be constructed of metal, unless an alternative material is approved by the director or the planning commission.
(b) Sidewalk dining areas that have more than four (4) tables or more than eight (8) chairs shall separate the dining area from the walkway with fencing, swag roping, decorative plants, landscape planters, or other architectural barriers that prevent encroachment of tables and chairs into the five foot (5') pathway being maintained for pedestrian access. The planning commission may relax this standard when it is clear that there is no reasonable possibility of tables or chairs being moved to encroach on the required pedestrian pathway.
(c) Lighting will be required for sidewalk dining areas where food will be eaten during the evening hours. The lighting fixtures must be decorative and complement the architectural character of the building and area. Lights mounted on the building shall not cause direct glare or other visual obstruction to pedestrians or vehicle drivers along the street and public walkway, and should illuminate only the sidewalk area.
(d) Portable umbrellas may be permitted provided they do not obstruct the public right of way or walkway, and do not contain advertising. The minimum vertical clearance from the pedestrian surface for any overhead obstruction including umbrellas shall be eight feet (8').
(e) Furniture shall not be attached, drilled into, adhered to, chained to, or otherwise affixed to the sidewalk tree, pole, or other furniture, or to any permanent structure or building.
(f) Sidewalk dining furniture shall be placed immediately adjacent to and abutting the eating establishment and shall not be placed adjacent to the curb. Exceptions to this requirement may be made by the director or planning commission for self-serve seating (i.e., no table service).
(g) Dining areas serving alcohol shall delineate and separate the sidewalk dining area with a nonaffixed, removable barrier/fence (e.g., a planter box, rope, fence, or other material) approved by the approving authority. Each such barrier shall be easy to remove and store. No barrier shall exceed thirty six inches (36") in height. Dining areas that do not serve alcohol are not permitted to delineate the sidewalk dining area with a barrier in order to keep the appearance of an open sidewalk.
(h) Use of sound amplification on the exterior of a sidewalk dining area is prohibited.
(i) Sidewalk dining area permits are interruptible and terminable licenses for use granted by the city. No property interest shall be conveyed to the eating establishment or to any other person. The city shall have the right and power, acting through the director or planning commission, to revoke, prohibit, or limit operation and use of a sidewalk dining area permit at any time by reason of anticipated, threatened, or actual problems or conflicts in the use for the sidewalk area. Such circumstances may arise from, but are not limited to, changing patterns of sidewalk use, scheduled festivals or similar event, parades or marches, repairs to the street or sidewalk, or for any other reason.
(j) Any sidewalk dining area shall be temporary in nature and designed so that the entire dining area can be easily removed. Sidewalk dining area furniture, equipment, and other amenities must be removed from the public sidewalk dining area for extended periods of eating establishment closure (2 weeks or more). The city may require removal during special events, etc. The city shall have the right to unilaterally remove unapproved exterior furniture and/or equipment from the sidewalk dining area, and costs of removal shall be borne by the eating establishment.
2. Operational Standards:
(a) The owner of the primary business is responsible for proper operation of the sidewalk dining area. Sidewalk dining shall be continuously supervised by management or employees. Food establishments serving alcoholic beverages shall have a supervisor, at least twenty one (21) years of age, on site at all times of operation. Any behavior that disturbs customers or passersby on the sidewalk will constitute grounds for revocation of any permit(s) to operate an outdoor dining area.
(b) Establishments are required to maintain all areas in and around the sidewalk dining area in a manner which is clean and free of litter and debris.
(c) The sidewalk dining hours of operation shall be limited to the hours of operation of the associated food or beverage establishment.
(d) All plans and permits for the sidewalk dining area approved by the city must be kept on the premises for public inspection at all times during which the associated establishment is open for business.
(e) Sidewalk dining areas shall be operated in a manner that meets all requirements of the El Dorado County environmental management division and all other applicable regulations, laws, ordinances, and standards. Food establishments serving alcoholic beverages shall also obtain all necessary permits required by the state alcoholic beverage control department.
(f) Smoking and/or vaping of any substance shall not be permitted within any sidewalk dining or seating area authorized pursuant to this section.
(G) Application For Special Temporary Permit Required: Applications for each sidewalk dining area permit must include:
1. Description: A brief written description to include the name and address of the eating establishment, a description of the propertied sidewalk dining area, the number of tables and seats, and whether the establishment intends to serve alcohol.
2. Site Plan: A plan, drawn to scale, showing the proposed sidewalk dining area including all tables, seats, associated furniture, and barrier; the plan shall show all sidewalk clearance dimensions and elevation. Specifications shall be provided for all barriers, and for any sidewalk heaters. A seating and pedestrian routing plan with dimensions and the anticipated periods of use during the year.
3. Photos Or Drawings: Color photos, renderings, and/or graphics shall show the setup, type of furniture, and materials to be used for all surfaces, including tablecloths, barriers, and umbrellas.
(H) Review Process: A special temporary use permit shall be required as provided in section 10-4-7 of this chapter.
1. Review Authority:
(a) The director shall have administrative authority to review and approve sidewalk dining areas that have not more than two (2) tables or four (4) chairs. For purposes of this chapter, each twenty inches (20") of space on a bench shall be considered as one chair. The development services director may impose reasonable conditions to assure that the dining area is not detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare and is consistent with applicable redevelopment plans and design guidelines.
(b) The planning commission shall have authority to review and approve sidewalk dining areas with more than two (2) tables or more than four (4) chairs and/or dining areas serving alcohol.
2. Conditions Of Approval: The director or planning commission, as applicable, may impose reasonable conditions of approval to ensure that sidewalk dining and display areas operate in a manner that is not detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, is consistent with all applicable codes, policies and guidelines, and enhances the image, appearance and vitality of the area in which the use is located. This includes, but is not limited to, authority to regulate the design, layout, materials, colors, quality and appearance of outside dining and display areas; to require security deposits, insurance and other reasonable financial guarantees and to prescribe operating terms that the permittee must follow.
3. Appeal:
(a) The decision of the director may be appealed to the planning commission.
(b) The decision of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council.
(c) The above decisions must be appealed in writing to the city clerk's office within ten (10) days after the decision is made.
4. Fees: Each sidewalk dining area permit shall require payment of two (2) fees: a) the encroachment permit fee; and b) special temporary use permit application fee associated with the continued use of the public sidewalk. The fees shall be determined by the city council and adopted by resolution which may be amended from time to time.
(I) Encroachment Permit: An encroachment permit must be obtained from the city engineer before any sidewalk dining is permitted.
(J) Terms And Renewal: A special temporary use permit for a sidewalk dining area may be approved for a maximum of one year. Renewal permits may be granted for one year periods. Special temporary use permits approved by the planning commission may be extended by the director. The city reserves the right to temporarily suspend the permit upon seven (7) days' notice because of anticipated or actual conflicts in the use of sidewalk areas due to street repairs, parades, festivals and other similar events.
(K) Enforcement:
1. Penalties: Any person violating any provisions of this section is subject to section 1-4-5, "Penalty", of this code. In addition, the city may seek civil remedies for any violation, including, but not limited to, the recovery of reasonable costs for the enforcement and correction of the violation.
2. Revocation: Violation of any of the standards in this code or any of the conditions imposed under subsection (H) of this section shall be grounds for revocation of the permit to operate a sidewalk dining area. Such revocation shall require a majority vote of the planning commission at a regular meeting to which the permittee has been given at least ten (10) calendar days' notice. The decision of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council. (Ord. 1689, 2-28-2017)
(A) Purpose: The purpose of this section is to provide for the establishment of short-term rental facilities in certain commercial zones and to set forth criteria and regulations of those short-term rentals units.
(B) Applicability of Regulations: The provisions of this Section shall apply to all parcels that are zoned CBD, C, and HWC.
(C) Permitted Use: Short-term rentals as defined in Section 10-4-1 are a permitted use in the specified commercial zone districts as commercial lodging facilities that is consistent with the City's General Plan, the specific zone district on which the short-term rental facility is to be located, and this Section, subject to issuance of a short-term rental (STR) permit.
The conversion of residential (long-term) units constructed pursuant to the mixed-use provisions within the CBD, C, and HWC Zone Districts shall not be permitted as short-term rental units.
(D) Permit Required:
1. An application for a short-term rental (STR) shall be filed with the Development Services Department and shall be processed in accordance with Section 10-4-7 and shall be renewed annually.
2. The application for the STR permit shall be submitted on forms provided by the Development Services Department and shall, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) A site location map.
(b) A site plan drawn to scale showing the property boundaries, all structures labeled as to their use and dimensions, and parking areas showing the number of spaces provided with dimensions.
(c) A floor plan of all buildings to serve as a short-term rental with all rooms labeled as to their use.
3. Short-term rental permits shall only be issued to the owner(s) of the property and shall not be transferable.
4. Short-term rental permits shall be subject to renewal annually and be subject to site inspection by the City and El Dorado County Fire Marshal.
5. The number of short-term rental permits issued by the City shall not exceed a total of 10 units per calendar year.
(E) Development and Operational Standards:
1. A City business license is required in accordance with City Code Section 5-1-4.
2. The name and phone number of a responsible person shall be posted. Said responsible person shall be available 24/7 and can be on site within one hour.
3. Payment of Transient Occupancy Tax shall be paid in accordance with Code Title 5, Chapter 16.
4. Maximum Occupancy and Parking. Occupancy of the short-term rental shall be limited by (1) the number of paved parking spaces on the short-term rental property as shown in Table One of this Subsection, and (2) the number of bedrooms in the property as shown in Table Two of this subsection, whichever is the lesser. For purposes of this Subsection, occupancy shall be calculated by the number of persons present at the vacation home rental property at any given time. Properties with multiple units shall be calculated in the aggregate.
Table One (1). Number of Paved Parking Spaces Establishing Maximum Occupancy | |
Number of parking Spaces | Maximum Occupancy |
1 | 4 |
2 | 8 |
3 | 12 |
4 | 16 |
5 | 20 |
Table Two (2). Number of Bedrooms Establishing Maximum Occupancy | |
Number of bedrooms | Maximum Occupancy |
Table Two (2). Number of Bedrooms Establishing Maximum Occupancy | |
Number of bedrooms | Maximum Occupancy |
Studio | 4 |
1 | 6 |
2 | 8 |
3 | 10 |
4 | 12 |
5 | 14 |
Where the maximum occupancy for a short-term rental is based upon the number of bedrooms, occupancy of a short-term rental with more than one bedroom shall be calculated by multiplying the number of bedrooms by two and adding four.
5. New Construction: New construction shall be subject to all applicable development standards of the zone district and approval of a site plan review application by the Planning Commission in accordance with City Code Section 10-4-9, and this Section.
6. The maximum occupancy of each short-term rental shall be clearly posted within the unit, and the host shall provide information to guests on how to sign up for CodeRED emergency notification system.
7. All marketing and advertising of the short-term rental shall include the short-term rental permit number issued by the City.
8. Noise. Excessive noise shall be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
9. Record Keeping. Records of every night for which the short-term rental is rented, including the name and contact information of the occupant who has arranged to rent the unit(s), the rental rate, the number of occupants per night, and the number of vehicles, shall be maintained for a minimum period of three years before such records mare discarded or otherwise destroyed. Such records shall be made available to the City within fifteen (15) business days upon written request from the City.
(F) Enforcement. Any use or condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any provision of the City Code or the STR permit shall be and hereby is declared a public nuisance and may be summarily abated by the City pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 731, City Code Sections 10-10-3-8, 10-3-9, and 10-3-10, or any other remedy available to the City.
(G) Revocation. A short-term rental permit issued under the terms of this Section shall be revoked by the Development Services Director at any time if he or she concludes that the permit has expired, not current on TOT taxes, found to be in violation of permit conditions, or found to be a nuisance to the community.
(H) No Property Rights Conferred. Short-term rental permits shall not be construed as providing property rights or vested interests and entitlements in continued operation of a short-term rental. Short-term rental permits are revocable licenses which expire annually. Short-term rental permits shall not run with the land. (Ord. 1710, 7-12-2022)