Outdoor Dining Permit

Step 1.Understand all steps and requirements

Step 2.Complete application form

Step 3.Complete exhibits A - D

Step 4.Submit application form and exhibits A - D

Step 5.Pay application fee

Step 6.Wait for Public Works staff to contact you and guide you through the process

Step 7.Complete additional steps

Step 8.Pay remaining fees

Step 9.Permit approved and issued

Step 1.Complete Application Form

On the application form, include both the legal entity name of the business and the name of the contact person and their email and phone number

Download Application Form(PDF, 45KB)

Step 2.Prepare Exhibit A - Site Plan

Create a Site Plan of your proposed outdoor dining installation

View a Site Plan example(PDF, 114KB)

Requirements

• All plan pages should be labeled "Exhibit A"
• Plan document should be sized 11” x 17”
• Completed plan document must be converted to pdf
• Plan requirements

• Plan document must include a north arrow, street names, business address, and business name
• Plan must include a signature block
• Plan should be an accurate, dimensioned, using legibly-sized font
• Plan should list the total square footage (not including the entry way area)
• Plan drawing must show:
  • Applicant business storefront with property lines
  • Storefronts adjacent to the business
  • Adjacent streets
  • Full sidewalk
  • Trees, fire hydrants, electrical boxes, sign poles, and other permanent installations
  • Current street parking spots
  • All proposed furniture and equipment, clearly labeled

Step 3.Prepare Exhibit B - Barrier Detail and/or Front View

Provide a map/sketch of any physical barriers that will be installed, or if no barrier, then show a front view of the venue showing table locations

View a barrier map/sketch example(PDF, 99KB)

Requirements

• All pages should be labeled "Exhibit B"
• Copies and images must be converted to pdf and should be combined when possible
• Pdfs should be sized 11” x 17” or 8.5” x 11”

Step 4.Prepare Exhibit C - Manufacturers’ Cut Sheets and/or Photographs 

Provide copies of manufacturers’ cut sheets and/or color photographs of all furniture and equipment to be used in area

View a manufacturers’ cut sheet example(PDF, 125KB)

Requirements

• All pages should be labeled "Exhibit C"
• Copies and images must be converted to pdf and should be combined when possible
• Pdfs should be sized 11” x 17” or 8.5” x 11”

Step 5.Prepare Exhibit D - Furniture and Equipment Inventory 

Provide an inventory list of all furniture and equipment to be installed in exterior space

Requirements

• All pages should be labeled "Exhibit C"
• Copies and images must be converted to pdf and should be combined when possible
• Pdfs should be sized 11” x 17” or 8.5” x 11”

Step 6.Submit Application Form with Exhibits A-D

Submit all materials to Engineering Division of the Public Works Department

Email to: (preferred): outdoordining@culvercity.org

In Person: Submit at the Engineering Counter at City Hall, 2nd floor

Permits for approved applications will only be issued after completion of additional steps and payment of all fees

After submission a staff member will contact you by email to:

• Confirm receipt of your application and exhibits
• Guide you through the application review and completion of additional steps or requirements
• Request additional information or materials and answer any questions

During the review process, staff will:

• Send invoices for your application fee and other fees
• Let you know once the application has been approved, or if denied, provide guidance about how to proceed

Step 1.Application Fee

$750 one-time fee

• Charged immediately following the submission of the permit application (with exhibits)
• Must be paid before application will be reviewed
• Application fee will not be refunded if permit application is denied

Step 2.Public Right-of-Way Restoration Fee and Maintenance Deposit

$500 minimum, varies

• Calculated by number of dining seats and square footage
• Deposit partially covers costs to City for set up, removal and restoration

Step 3.One-time Sewer Facility Charge (SFC)

$ varies

• Combined fees for Culver City and City of Los Angeles sewage usage
• Calculated by number of dining seats and square footage ($600 per chair)
• Additional $50 Issuance Fee and $32 Tech Surcharge Fee

Step 4.Annual Outdoor Dining Fee

$13.00 /sq ft (currently waived through 12/31/2021)

• Initial annual fees paid mid-year will be prorated
• Renewal fees invoiced annually
• Renewals can be paid annually, bi-annually, or monthly (processing fees apply to monthly billing)

Step 1.Certificate of Insurance

Provide a Certificate of Insurance for the applicant business 

Provide evidence of:

• Workers compensation coverage as required by State law
• Comprehensive general liability coverage with minimum $2,000,000 per occurrence and minimum $2,000,000 aggregate
• Named additional insured as follows: "The City of Culver City, members if its City Council, boards and commissions, officers, agents, and its employees" 

View a full list of insurance requirements for outdoor dining permit(DOCX, 15KB)

View an example of an acceptable Certificate of Insurance(PDF, 306KB)

Step 2.Culver City Business License

Provide or obtain an active Culver City Business License

Learn more about obtaining a Culver City Business License

Step 3.Outdoor Dining License Agreement

Execute an Outdoor Dining License Agreement with the City

An Outdoor Dining License Agreement will be provided by City after your Application is approved

Step 4.Other Requirements

Additional measures may be required of applicant businesses depending on case-by-case circumstances.

Culver City must balance the needs of competing uses of the public right-of-way and consider the safety of everyone in the vicinity. For example, businesses must comply with American Disability Act (ADA) requirements, including a minimum 48” unobstructed path of travel on public sidewalks and into and out of dining areas for wheelchair access, however, more space may be required depending on pedestrian traffic.

Examples of other issues considered by Public Works:

• Existing sloped sidewalk surface available
• Sidewalk drainage
• Available lighting
• Necessity, cost, impact, and feasibility of installing k-rail or water-filled barriers
• Impacts of added proposed enhancements, such as planters and shade protection
• Adequate fire clearance
• Trash and utility services access
• Applicants conformance with the prior permits and ongoing entitlements
• Contiguous allocations of street areas
• Area traffic patterns, turn lanes, bike access, pedestrian flow, and other mobility issues
• Impacts on local parking supply

Businesses requesting outdoor expansion must also adhere to all laws and regulations, as well as all health and safety guidelines adopted by Culver City and the County of Los Angeles. Learn more about current Covid-19 guidelines.