Uptown Normal Sidewalk and On-Street Cafes

This program enhances the vibrancy of Uptown Normal by permitting a small number of cafes to operate within sidewalks and/or parking spaces. By Town ordinance, these cafes must meet certain design guidelines and operate at least five days per week, weather permitting.  The full ordinance is in Section 8 of the Municipal Code.  Key details address hours of operation, signage, amplified sound, materials and more.  

The Engineering & Public Works Director (or designee) approves sidewalk and on-street cafes based on application completeness and adherence to code requirements. If there are applications for more than one on-street café on one side of the street (which would exceed the code maximum), the selection will be based on the completeness of the application, adherence to code requirements, overall aesthetics and the operations plan.

Sidewalk Cafes

Definition:  

Use of a public sidewalk or plaza area by a food service establishment, for serving food and beverages to seated customers.

Application fee:  

$100 

Submit a sidewalk cafe application online 

On-street Cafe

Definition:

Use of a public parking space by a food service establishment, for the serving of food and beverages to seated customers.

Application fee:  

  • $100 (if using own electricity)
  • $150 (if using Town electricity)

Submit an On-Street Cafe (Parklet) Application Online

NOTE: Applications are not complete until payment is received.

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