Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Outdoor Dining Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
La Verne Council approves flat monthly outdoor-dining permits; implementation set for Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
The council approved a change to the Old Town sidewalk/parklet policy replacing square-foot lease charges with flat monthly permits — $100/month for businesses with food and alcohol sales and $50/month for food-only businesses — and extended implementation to Jan. 1, 2026.
La Verne’s City Council on Nov. 17 approved revisions to the city’s sidewalk and incidental outdoor-dining policy, moving from square-foot lease fees to flat monthly permit charges intended to reduce administrative burden for small businesses.
Assistant planner Valerie Chin told the council the prior policy (adopted Jan. 21, 2025) had required lease agreements and charged a square-foot rate; staff recommended switching to a month-to-month flat permit for small-scale uses. Under the council-approved revision, businesses that want more than two tables and four chairs or a small display area will pay a monthly permit of $100 for establishments that sell food and alcohol and $50 for food-only businesses; fees will be billed annually and may be prorated for seasonal use. The council extended the implementation date from July 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2026 and staff said no permit fees will be charged during the interim period, provided businesses maintain proper insurance and ADA access is preserved.
Councilmembers praised the change as more equitable and easier to administer for small downtown businesses. Councilmember Lao said the month-to-month approach allows restaurants not to pay during winter months if they do not use outdoor seating. The council voted 5-0 to amend the comprehensive fee schedule and adopt the updated sidewalk policy.
What happens next: staff will notify affected businesses, incorporate the revisions into administrative regulations, and prepare permit procedures ahead of the Jan. 1 effective date.
Why it matters: the change lowers the administrative and cost barrier for small retailers and eateries to use public-right-of-way space, and aims to make outdoor dining and displays more accessible for local businesses recovering from pandemic-era disruptions.
