Title 17 ZONING
Chapter 17.27 COMMERCIAL USE OF SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
17.27.010 Definitions.
17.27.020 Exclusions.
17.27.030 General provisions.
17.27.040 Application procedures.
17.27.050 Term.
17.27.060 Development standards.
17.27.070 Design standards.
17.27.080 Violation--Remedy.
17.27.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
“Sidewalk cafe” means an outdoor
dining area on a public sidewalk where patrons may consume food and/or beverages
provided by an abutting food service establishment. Such establishments may
either provide table service in the outdoor dining areas or sell take-out items
to be consumed in the outdoor dining area. (Ord. 1036 § 2 (part),
2000).
17.27.020 Exclusions.
A. This chapter does not apply to private property.
B. This chapter
does not apply to a service group, school or church-related fundraising event
which may have an incidental effect on city property, but where the persons in
attendance will be less than fifty people. This exclusion includes, but is not
limited to bake sales, the sale of Girl Scout cookies and car
washes.
C. This chapter does not apply to a use covered by the special
events permit requirements of Chapter 5.18 of this code. (Ord. 1036 § 2
(part), 2000).
17.27.030 General provisions.
A. Permit Required. Any obstruction of the public right-of-way or sidewalk
may occur only after the city has issued a right-of-way use
permit.
B. Zoning Requirements. Any use of a public right-of-way or sidewalk
shall be subject to the requirements and limitations set forth in this
chapter.
C. Noise Regulations. Any use of the public right-of-way or
sidewalk shall be subject to the requirements of Section 7.04.020 (M), Public
nuisance defined (noise) of this code.
D. Indemnification. The permit holder
shall defend, indemnify and hold the city and its employees harmless from and
against any loss or damage arising from the use or existence of the improvements
or encroachment authorized under a right-of-way use permit.
E. Insurance.
The permit holder shall obtain and maintain in force comprehensive general
liability, broad form property damage and blanket contractual liability
insurance in a combined single limit amount, per claim and aggregate, of at
least one million dollars covering the permit holder’s operations on the
sidewalk. Such insurance shall name on a special endorsement form, the city, its
elected and appointed boards, officers, agents and employees as additional
insured. A certificate of insurance shall contain provisions that prohibit
cancellation, modification, or lapse without thirty days’ prior written
notice to the city.
F. Compliance with Laws. The permit holder shall comply
with all local, state and federal laws, and all liquor control board and county
health department rules and regulations. (Ord. 1036 § 2 (part),
2000).
17.27.040 Application procedures.
A. A right-of-way use permit shall be required for all encroaching
furniture and improvements. A right-of-way use permit shall be obtained as
follows:
1. The application shall be filed with the city hall on a form
provided by the city hall staff;
2. The application shall be signed by the
owner of the property or his authorized agent;
3. The application shall be
accompanied by a site plan, drawn to scale and fully dimensioned, which
accurately depicts the location, height, nature and extent of all proposed
improvements and objects within the encroachment zone. All fixed features such
as tree wells, sign posts, fire hydrants, news racks, light poles, etc. within
twenty feet of the encroachment zone shall be depicted on the site
plan;
4. An annual permit fee as established by resolution of the city
council is due at the time of the issuance of a new right-of-way use permit.
Once issued, a right-of-way use permit must be renewed annually by January 31st
to remain valid.
B. Prior to issuance of the right-of-way use permit, the
applicant shall provide both the certificate of insurance and the completed
standard special endorsement in a form meeting the approval of the city
attorney.
C. A right-of-way use permit may be issued by the mayor after
consultation with the director of public works, police chief, building official,
fire marshal and city attorney. The mayor may impose any reasonable conditions
on the right-of-way use permit necessary for the protection of the public. (Ord.
1143 § 11, 2004; Ord. 1058 § 2, 2000; Ord. 1036 § 2 (part),
2000).
17.27.050 Term.
Valid right-of-way use permits shall remain in effect from the time they
are issued until the end of that year and renewed by January 31st of each year
thereafter. If not renewed by February 28th, the right-of-way use permit will be
revoked and the application process must be completed again. (Ord. 1036 § 2
(part), 2000).
17.27.060 Development standards.
A. Horizontal Clearance. A clear, continuous pedestrian path of not less
than six feet in width shall be required for pedestrian circulation outside of
the outdoor use area, except that a pedestrian path of not less than five feet
will be allowed where a barrier is required. As used herein, pedestrian path
means a continuous obstruction-free sidewalk or right-of-way, paved to city
standards, between the outside boundary of the use area and any obstruction,
including but not limited to street trees, landscaping, street lights, benches
and curb lines.
B. Allowable Uses. Any outdoor use of the public sidewalk or
public right-of-way may incorporate street trees or street furniture, provided
that the required pedestrian path is maintained outside of the outdoor use
area.
C. Setback from Corners, Streets and Alleys. When an outdoor use area
is located at a street corner, a ten-foot setback from the corner of the
building shall be maintained along both frontages. When an outdoor use area is
located adjacent to a driveway or an alley, a five-foot setback shall be
maintained from the driveway or alley. (Ord. 1036 § 2 (part),
2000).
17.27.070 Design standards.
A. Barriers.
1. No barrier shall be required if the proposed use does
not include the serving of alcohol;
2. Establishments that serve alcoholic
beverages in the outdoor area shall provide a physical barrier that meets the
requirements of this policy and of the alcoholic beverage control
board;
3. Barriers should compliment the building facade as well as any
street furniture and be somewhat transparent (such as wrought iron) and shall be
able to withstand inclement weather;
4. Barriers shall be capable of being
removed through the use of recessed sleeves and posts, by wheels that can be
locked into place, or weighted bases. Barriers can be erected after April 1st of
each year and shall be removed by October 31st each year. Barriers shall be
removed if not in use of thirty days.
5. The height of any barrier shall not
exceed three feet six inches.
B. Awnings and Umbrellas. The use of awnings
over the outdoor use area and removable table umbrellas shall be permitted,
provided they do not interfere with street trees. Awnings shall have no support
posts located within the public right-of-way. A building permit must be obtained
prior to installation of any awning.
C. Lighting. Outdoor lighting fixtures
should compliment the style of the building. Lighting fixtures shall not be
glaring to motorists or pedestrians on the adjacent right-of-way, and shall
illuminate only the outdoor use area. Outdoor lighting may be installed on the
facade of the building. Electrical fixtures shall not be permitted in the public
right-of-way. Lighting shall be installed by a licensed electrician under an
electrical permit issued by the Department of Labor and Industries.
Battery-operated lamps will be permitted.
D. Design. The design, material,
and colors used for chairs, tables, umbrellas, awnings and other fixtures should
compliment the architectural style and colors of the building facade and street
furniture.
E. Signs. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, signs
and logos shall be permitted on umbrellas in outdoor dining areas and affixed to
carts.
F. Heaters. Portable propane heaters shall be allowed within the
outdoor use areas.
G. Disabled Access. All requirements of the Americans
with Disabilities Acts shall be met. (Ord. 1085 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1036 §
2 (part), 2000).
17.27.080 Violation--Remedy.
In the event that a permit holder fails to abide by the provisions of this
policy or the terms and conditions of a right-of-way use permit, the permit may
be revoked as follows:
A. The city shall give five business days’
written notice to the permit holder of the violation requiring revocation of the
permit, providing that if the violation is corrected within five business days,
the permit will not be revoked.
B. If, at the expiration of five business
days the violation is not corrected, the city shall issue a notice of revocation
of the right-of-way use permit, and the permit holder will be required to
immediately cease all activity in the city right-of-way.
C. The permit
holder or property owner shall pay all costs incurred by the city in abating the
encroachment or improvement.
D. The permit holder or property owner may
appeal the permit revocation to the city council at its next regularly scheduled
meeting by filing a notice of appeal with the city hall staff. The permit holder
may continue the use of the city right-of-way pending appeal.
E. The city
may immediately suspend the permit holder’s permit for up to five business
days for a public safety violation. If the violation is not corrected within
five business days, the city will issue a notice of revocation as set forth in
subsection b of this section. The permit holder may not continue the use of the
city right-of-way pending an appeal of a revocation of the permit due to a
safety violation.
F. The city attorney is authorized to bring an action in
the Cowlitz County Superior Court to enjoin any use of the city right of way
carried out in violation of this chapter. (Ord. 1036 § 2 (part),
2000).
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