Todas las sedes de la Biblioteca Pública de Santa Bárbara estarán cerradas el jueves 10 de octubre debido a capacitación del personal.
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)
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
Parklets in the Public Right-of-Way
Parklets are dining facilities located within a parking space on a public street. The Economic Recovery Extension and Transition Ordinance (ERETO), which authorized restaurants to operate parklets in the public right-of-way, expires on December 31, 2023. On December 12, 2023, City Council adopted an ordinance to regulate parklets in the public right-of-way beginning January 1, 2024.
Important Dates:
March 14, 2024 - Businesses with parklets must install approved traffic safety barriers or must remove parklet. (List of Crash-Tested/Approved Traffic Safety Barriers)
May 3, 2024 - Deadline for businesses with parklets to submit the full license application.
May 9, 2024 - Businesses that have not submitted the Parklet License Application must remove
Businesses with existing parklets must install approved traffic safety barriers by March 14, 2024. Staff will begin enforcement of the traffic safety barrier requirement after Preliminary Application Reports have been issued to applicants. Reports are expected to be completed by the end of March, with traffic barrier enforcement starting in early April.
- Parklets may not extend further than 80" from the curb and not more than 96" from the curb INCLUDING installed traffic safety barriers. Parklets may need to be altered to allow for the installation of traffic barriers.
- Approved traffic safety barriers include MASH crash-test rated concrete barriers or water-filled plastic barriers. The City Engineer has developed a list of approved barriers available here: Approved Traffic Safety Barriers
- Traffic safety barriers must be linked together and MAY NOT be anchored to the ground.
To reduce the cost of barriers, consider the following:
- Delivery is typically the most expensive part of the barriers.
- Consider partnering with other businesses to coordinate barrier delivery to potentially save on delivery costs.
Water barriers typically cost less to deliver than concrete barriers as they are much lighter. Another benefit to water barriers is that they can be more easily repositioned in the future as they are fairly light once the water has been drained. Concrete barriers will likely require a forklift or small crane to reposition.
City Council approved staff's parklet fee recommendation at the March 12, 2024 meeting. The following fee schedule will apply to all parklets that are not within the State Street Promenade:
- Preliminary Application Fee - $514.00
- Parklet License Application Fee - Total of $2,500 split into two payments.
- $150 is due along with the application submission.
- $2,350 is due after the applicant has completed the design review and Coastal Development Permit (if applicable) processes.
- Annual Parklet License Fee - $24/square foot paid annually
- Coastal Development Permit - Reduced Permit Fee of $5,535
Please note that standard planning and design review fees will apply. The Preliminary Application Report will include a list of all fees that apply based on parklet location.
Parklets are prohibited on:
- All one-way streets having two or more travel lanes.
- All two-way streets having two or more travel lanes in any one
direction. - Parklets are prohibited on Coast Village Road.
If your business is located on a street where parklets are allowed, please keep in mind the following location requirements:
- Parklets must be placed in a parking space that is entirely within your business street frontage. This means that the parklet cannot extend beyond your business.
Additionally, parklets may not be located:
- In a “No Parking” zone designated by a posted sign or red curb.
- In an accessible parking space designated by a posted sign or blue curb.
- In a loading zone, unless approved by the City Engineer.
- A parking space directly adjacent to an intersection, crosswalk, or alley.
- Within 15’ of a fire hydrant.
- In a way that interferes with a designated safe path of travel for an accessible parking space.
- In a location which interferes with access to essential utility facilities. (SCE Location Guideline Document)
- In a manner which would disrupt, or block storm drains or storm drain facilities.
- In a location which does not have a curb, gutter, or sidewalk.
- Where the speed, volume, or proximity to traffic to a driveway is not compatible with a parklet.
City staff will assess the proposed parklet location for compliance with the location requirements during the pre-application process.
For additional information, please refer to Ordinance 6134
The following requirements apply to all parklets:
- Parklets must be built and maintained in full compliance with all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Chapter B of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.
- The Public Works Director may require an owner to submit a report by a Certified Access Specialist demonstrating compliance with accessibility requirements before issuance of a Parklet License and at any time during the term of the license.
- A parklet is considered use of public space and not part of the occupancy of the licensed eating and drinking establishment.
- A parklet must be protected by traffic safety barriers approved by the City Engineer.
- A parklet may be used solely for the purpose of serving or consuming food or beverage of the licensed eating and drinking establishment. Adjoining eating and drinking establishments may establish joint or attached parklets.
- Outdoor cooking facilities are prohibited.
- Portable heaters and lighting are permitted as approved by the Fire Marshal. Portable gas heaters must have tanks and may not be directly connected to building plumbing systems.
- Lighting and other electrical equipment must be either solar powered or connected to the building electrical system and not connected to the City street electrical systems.
- Gas generators are prohibited.
- Service of alcoholic beverages is permitted as authorized by and subject to the requirements of the license issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to the licensed eating and drinking establishment or as otherwise authorized by state law.
Structure Requirements:
- A parklet may not exceed 80 inches in width or have sides exceeding 42 inches or posts exceeding 82 inches in height measured from the surface of the right of way.
- Roofs, overhead structures, and shade canopies are prohibited.
- Umbrellas are permitted but may not extend beyond the edge of the parklet and must maintain a height clearance of not less than 6 feet 8 inches along pedestrian paths of travel and not exceed a height of 10 feet.
- The City Engineer may further limit the height and width of a parklet based on site specific safety reasons.
Additional Review:
- Parklets located in the Coastal Zone are subject to Coastal Zone permitting requirements.
- Parklets are subject to design review prior to license approval.
For full requirements, please review Ordinance 6134
General Parklet Program Information
- Ordinance 6134: Parklets in the Public Right of Way - Establishes the program and provides detailed information on parklet requirements, the application process, and license issuance.
- Parklet Application and License Fee Resolution - Adopted by City Council on March 12, 2024. Link to resolution will be updated as soon as it is available.
Engineering, and Traffic Safety Resources
- Southern California Edison - Outdoor Business Operations Guide: Provides information on clearance requirements for SCE equipment.
- List of crash tested, approved, traffic safety barriers.
Planning Process Resources
(805) 564-5578
What if my parklet is in the Coastal Zone?
If your project is in the Coastal Zone (S-D-3 Overlay Zone), any expansion of indoor or outdoor dining is considered a “change in the density or intensity of use”. The California Coastal Commission requires a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) to allow this change; however, the City has adopted a streamlined review process with a lower fee. See Fee Information for fees.
Will Design Review be required?
Yes, all exterior alterations to commercial properties are subject to design review. Based on the site, your application may qualify for staff-level administrative approval. Contact the Planning Counter to discuss the criteria for approval: (805) 564-5578 or PlanningCounter@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Parklet Preliminary Application Process
Businesses interested in obtaining a Parklet License must submit a Preliminary (PRE) Application and complete the permitting process before beginning construction on a new parklet. The Pre-Application process will determine if a parklet is feasible in the location before investing the time and expense of drafting complete plans and submitting a full application. City staff will review and advise the applicant on location specific requirements, determine the allowable size and location, and advise on the required permitting and design review path.
All you will need to submit with your Preliminary Application is a photograph of the proposed parklet location, clearly showing where the parklet will be located in relation to your business. Please make sure the photograph is in focus and that the proposed location is designated on the image.
The Preliminary Application fee is $514.00. You may either pay online with credit card along with the application submission, or, you may mail a check to City of Santa Barbara / Downtown Parking / 1221 Anacapa Street / Santa Barbara, CA 93101. An application will not be considered complete until the fee has been received.
You'll need your basic business and contact information, the location photo(s), and a quick description of your proposed parklet and the location. The application process should take about 20 minutes.
Please allow up to 30 days for staff to review your Preliminary Parklet Application. First, city staff will review your application to ensure the location is not on a prohibited street. Next, the location will be reviewed by engineering, traffic-safety, planning, and emergency staff to determine if there are any site-specific constraints such as utility access, fire lane access, special permitting requirements, or any traffic requirements to be addressed. If needed, staff may schedule an on-site visit to review the proposed location. We will follow-up with a report listing location specific considerations including required planning, permitting and design review processes. The Preliminary Application Report will help you to determine feasibility and cost before starting the planning process.
Parklet License Application Process
Before you can apply for your Parklet License, you must first submit a Preliminary Application (see process above). Once you have received approval through the Preliminary Application process, you may move on to the Parklet License Application.
Use this Planning Guide and the Planning Application to gather your required submission items including site photographs and project plans. If you have questions on this step, contact the Planning Counter at (805) 564-5578 or PlanningCounter@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. Refer to your Preliminary Parklet Report for information on your specific design review process and guidance on whether you are required to apply for a Coastal Development Permit.
- Please contact a planner if you have any questions about the submittal requirements. Your submittal must include at a minimum the following:
- Good quality photographs of the proposed parklet site.
- A site plan of the parklet area with the dimensions labeled and drawn to scale (i.e., 1/8” = 1’).
- Manufacturer specification sheets of the proposed furniture, and the number of tables and chairs requested.
- A Title Report is not required.
Before you submit your Planning (PLN) application, pay your initial parklet license application fee ($150.00) at the following link: Downtown Parking Fee Payment . Please input the numeric portion of your business address in the “Account # or Reference #” section, and your business name as the Customer Name. Please select “Parklet License Application Fee” from the drop-down selection box.
Submit your Planning (PLN) Application on the City’s online permit portal: Submit your Application . All applications must be submitted electronically. You’ll first be asked to create an account. Once you have created an account, you will then login to your account and select the “Planning General” category under “Apply for a Planning Application.” You will need to upload a digital version of your submission documents to complete the application. Once you have submitted, City staff will follow up electronically with an invoice for the total Planning Application fee amount. Fees may be paid online, mailed, faxed, or dropped off at 630 Garden Street for processing. After fees are paid, you will receive a confirmation with your PLN number which you will be able to use to track your application status.
If your Preliminary Parklet Report noted that your location is within the Coastal Zone, you will need to apply for a Coastal Development Permit as well. You should do this concurrently with your Planning Application.
Planning will see you through the planning process, including design review. Once you have completed the planning and design review process, contact Downtown Parking at OutdoorDining@SantaBarbaraCA.gov, or, (805) 564-5656, to move to the next step in the Parklet License Application process. At this point, the second portion of the license fee ($2,350) will be due if you plan to continue to pursue a license. Public Works will review your plans for compliance with the requirements noted in your Preliminary Parklet Report and the Parklet Ordinance. Once approved, you will be issued your Parklet License and pay the annual license fees for the first year.