Rules for restaurants using city sidewalks and parks for outdoor dining

(a) For the purposes of this section: Department. The city department or agency designated by the mayor. Program. The outdoor dining services program established under this section. (b) The department may establish a program for outdoor dining services that allows restaurants to use certain city properties for dining and take-out operations. These city properties are limited to sidewalks, parklets, pedestrian malls, parks, and playgrounds. (c) The department is authorized to implement the program consistent with this section, commencing on July 22, 2025. (d) The department may issue permits to applicants to provide outdoor dining services pursuant to this section upon acceptance of an application, application fee, a completed liability form, the indemnification of the city, and proof of insurance; provided that such permits are revocable on notice of 30 days or less and are valid for a maximum one-year period. A permit application review fee of $50 must accompany a permit application. The department may establish a charge for the use of the property. (e) The program must incorporate terms and conditions to ensure public health and safety, including but not limited to consideration of the following as applicable: (1) The restaurant must be on the ground floor and abut paved city property. (2) Upon 24 hours’ notice, the restaurant must vacate city property for regular maintenance by the city, including, for example, steam cleaning. (3) The restaurant is responsible for its own equipment, furniture, and supplies, which must be stored elsewhere than on city property during hours when the restaurant is closed. (4) The utilized city property may only be used by the restaurant during its normal business hours but must not be used between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (5) The restaurant is responsible for compliance with any additional requirements relating to its applicable State department of health food establishment permit. (6) Liquor sales, if any, on the utilized city property must be authorized under the restaurant’s liquor license and allowed under applicable law. (7) No additional signage is permitted within the utilized city property. (8) Dining services must be consistent with any requirements imposed by law or emergency order, including social distancing requirements and the physical spacing of tables, seats, and customers. (9) Furniture must be located at least 6 feet from any vehicular ramp, driveway, or street intersection. (10) No live or amplified music is allowed on the utilized city property. (11) Furniture must not be placed over planter strips and tree wells. (12) Furniture must be outside an 8-foot radius around bus stops and a 5-foot radius around fire hydrants. (13) All fire lanes must be open and accessible at all times. (14) The restaurant is responsible for rubbish collection. (15) Upon expiration of the restaurant’s permit, the restaurant shall return the city property to the state it was in prior to the commencement of the restaurant’s use under the program. (16) The permit is transferable upon change in ownership due to the sale or transfer of the restaurant; provided that the new owner or operator of the restaurant notifies the department of the change in ownership and complies with all requirements under this section, including any requests by the department for information or documentation. (17) Violations of these requirements may result in revocation of the permit by the department; provided that the department shall notify the restaurant of the violation and provide an opportunity for the restaurant to respond before revocation. (18) Outdoor dining under this section may include parklets, subject to pedestrian clearance, traffic, and safety issues as determined by the city through the departments having authority over these issues. (19) Where sidewalks are present on all or part of the utilized city property, the restaurant must ensure a clear right-of-way at least 36 inches wide at all times. (20) For restaurants abutting pedestrian “malls,” as more specifically defined in § 13-1.1 , the following additional requirements apply: (A) A clear 20-foot wide right-of-way to accommodate delivery and emergency vehicles must be maintained at all times; (B) Business hours for outdoor dining operations must not exceed mall hours; (C) All rubbish must be removed nightly; and (D) If the ground of the city property utilized consists of pavers, the restaurant must take actions to prevent and address food, liquid, and grease spills. (21) For restaurants abutting a city park or playground, use of the city property is limited to a maximum of 7 feet from the property line and to no more than one row of tables. (f) The department shall submit to the council an annual report no later than September 1, 2026, and by September 1 of each year thereafter, that includes, at a minimum: (1) An assessment of the program, including identification of the assessment criteria used and the impact of the program on the local economy; (2) An analysis of the method of implementation of the program, the cost of the program, and the number of permits issued; (3) Recommendations for retention, termination, or modification of the program; and (4) For participants in the program seeking renewal of the permit by the department, a compilation of input requested by the department from participants in the program relating to the program’s positive or negative impact on their business. The council shall review the department’s reports and recommendations no later than five years after the submission of the department’s first annual report required under this subsection and every five years thereafter to determine whether retention, termination, or modification of the program is necessary. (g) The department may adopt rules in accordance with HRS Chapter 91 to implement this section. Editor’s note: In accordance with Ord. 25-14 , any outdoor dining permits granted and in effect prior to July 21, 2025 under the pilot program in § 13-20.3, as it read prior to July 21, 2025, will continue to be valid and in effect until the timely expiration or timely renewal of the permit. “July 22, 2025” is substituted for “the effective date of this ordinance.”