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OBF License Application Links

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Downtown Parking Office
1221 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 564-5656 Tel.

Mailing Address
City of Santa Barbara
P.O. Box 1990
Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990

Downtown Parking Counter Walk-in Hours
Monday through Thursday
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (PT)

Office Hours

Monday through Thursday
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (PT)

Alternate Fridays
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (PT)
Calendar of Closed Fridays

Title

Outdoor Business Facility Licensing

Body

On January 12, 2023, City Council approved a rate structure for businesses using the public right-of-way on the State Street Promenade, including the 400 and 1300 blocks of State Street. The approved rate structure is variable by design and provides each business the opportunity to develop an outdoor business facility based on their business needs. The rate structure will go into effect on May 1, 2023.

Important Dates:

  • April 15, 2023 – Application deadline for all operating facilities (existing or proposed).  Please submit your application package as soon as possible to give staff time to review and alert you to any missing documents or additional required information.  Application packages submitted after the deadline may not be reviewed in time to meet the License Agreement deadline and may cause your facility to be removed.
  • May 1, 2023 – All facilities must either have a signed License Agreement or have a scheduled License Agreement meeting.  Facilities without an agreement or scheduled meeting must be removed from the Promenade. 
  • May 15, 2023 – Due date for deposit and license fees for May. 
Application Process and FAQ
Sections
Application Documents
Apply Online
Extended Frontage Usage Agreement

Facilities which extend beyond the business frontage must submit an Extended Frontage Usage Agreement (EFUA) for each impacted property as a part of the application package.  A signed agreement must be submitted for each business and each property impacted.  Electronic signatures are not accepted for the EFUA, but a scan of the signed agreement may be uploaded through the online OBF License Application portal.

Requirements for Operating a Business on the Temporary State Street Promenade

How do I apply for an Outdoor Business Facility License?

1
Gather Required Submission Material

Before you begin the License Fee application, start by gathering the required supplemental items.  Applications will not be accepted without all required items.  If you will be submitting online, submittal must be in either PDF or JPEG formats.  

  • Site Plan - This may be either hand drawn or computer drawn and must include footprint measurements, height measurements, table layout, and ADA compliance information (accessible table/seating, path of travel, relevant landing space, and ramp measurements if you will be using a ramp).  
  • Design Plan - You will need to include photographs or drawings showing compliance with design requirements.  Please include paint colors, photographs of proposed furniture, umbrellas, heaters, and any other item you will use in your facility.   
  • Certificate of Insurance - Must show the city as additional insured.
  • Extended Frontage Usage Agreement - Required if your facility extends in front of neighboring properties.  Must submit two agreements for each neighboring impacted business; one signed by the neighboring business owner(s) and one signed by the neighboring property owner(s). 
2
License Fee Application

Once you have gathered all submittals, you are ready to complete the application.  Application deadline for all operating facilities (existing or proposed).  Please submit your application package as soon as possible to give staff time to review and alert you to any missing documents or additional required information.  Application packages submitted after the deadline may not be reviewed in time to meet the License Agreement deadline and may cause your facility to be removed.

You may submit the application in one of three ways:

  • Online:  You may complete the application and upload all required attachments here
  • In-Person:  Complete application packages may be dropped off at the Downtown Parking office at 1221 Anacapa Street, 93101, Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:00.  Please note that application packages will not be reviewed at the time of drop-off.  Printable Application
  • By Mail:  Complete application packages may be mailed to:  Downtown Parking / PO Box 1990 / Santa Barbara, CA 93101.  
3
Application Review Meeting

Staff will contact you to arrange a meeting at the proposed facility to review submittals and verify applicable rate structure and license fee.  Meetings will begin the first week of May, 2023.  

4
License Agreement

At the Application Review Meeting, staff and the business owner will finalize and sign the Outdoor Business Facility License Agreement.  At that time, payment for the first month and deposit equal to one-month will be collected.  Please come to the meeting prepared to submit payment with a check made payable to the City of Santa Barbara.  

FAQ

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