You can set up a sidewalk café without getting a permit, but you must keep the area clean and maintain walkways and buffers. (SRC 78.220 and SRC 78.240) 

Keep the Area Clean

You must keep the sidewalk safe by keeping it clear of:

• Ice
• Snow
• Dirt
• Vegetation
• Debris
• Obstructions

Maintain Walkways and Buffers

You must maintain a five foot walkway past the sidewalk café and a minimum three foot buffer from the curb. Street furniture includes, but is not limited to permanent features such as:

• Street signs
• Street lights
• Pedestrian lights
• Street trees
• Benches
• Trash receptacles
• Utility boxes
• Bicycle racks
• Art pedestals

The diagrams below show three options for meeting the requirement.