Businesses in the Park and Webster Street Business Improvement Areas (BIAs):
Are allowed to set up outdoor dining, retail and services following the conditions outlined in the Outdoor Commercial Usage Conditions(PDF, 275KB). No plans, permits or insurance documents are required in these areas, since all businesses are covered by the BIAs' encroachment permits. A minimum of eight feet of clear space for walking must be maintained along Park and Webster Streets, and six feet on the side streets. See the Quick Rules in the right sidebar for a diagram and summary of requirements.
For Businesses within all other commercial areas of Alameda:
The sidewalk may be used for outdoor dining, retail and services with an approved Sidewalk Usage Encroachment Permit. A minimum of six feet of clear space for walking must always be maintained. All of the Outdoor Commercial Usage Conditions(PDF, 275KB) must be followed. See the Quick Rules in the right sidebar for a diagram and summary of requirements.
To use the sidewalk space, SUBMIT the following items to PWPermits@alamedaca.gov:
- Application: Completed Sidewalk Usage Encroachment Permit Application(PDF, 103KB)
- Insurance documents:
- Certificate of Insurance (“COI”) naming the City of Alameda as the certificate holder. Make sure all of the policy coverage dates are current.
- A separate page for the Additional Insured Endorsement (“AIE”) naming the City. See this sample(PDF, 334KB) for what it will look like. This exact language must be added for the additional insureds: "City of Alameda, its Council, Officers, Employees, Volunteers, Board and Commissions." In addition to the AIE naming the City, if the business is along Central or Encinal Avenues, between Webster Street and Park Avenue (i.e. on Route 61), then please also name as additional insureds: “The State, the Department of Transportation, and the Directors, officers, employees, agents and/or contractors of the State and/or of the Department of Transportation, including but not limited to the Director of Transportation and the Deputy Directors.
- Proof of current Workers’ Compensation (WC) insurance. Often, but not always, the WC insurance is included on the Certificate of Insurance, at the bottom. Please make sure it is either included on the COI or that a separate proof of WC insurance is provided.
Permits will be issued as quickly as possible, and having the correct insurance paperwork will expedite the process.
Questions:
Send an email to PWPermits@alamedaca.gov.