The City of San Rafael is pleased to continue its street parklet dining program, known as the Streetary Program. Initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has ensured the continued success and vitality of our restaurants and businesses hit hard by the pandemic.
At its October 3rd, 2022 meeting, the City Council approved the design and development standards as well as fees for the Streetary Program, which took effect December 1st, 2022 and are applicable to all dining establishments in the City of San Rafael. Read the full staff report with the Council’s approved design and development standards and fees at the link below.
San Rafael regulates three types of outdoor dining. City Staff are happy to help you find the right information for your restaurant.
Streetaries are parklets built in parking spaces in the public road in front of a restaurant.
Sidewalk dining is outdoor dining on the public sidewalk in front of a restaurant.
Outdoor dining is outdoor seating on the premises of a restaurant, not in the public right of way.
How to Apply for Annual Streetary Encroachment Permit
Any person desiring to erect, construct, place or maintain an encroachment upon any existing parking spaces within the public right-of-way for a streetary must first obtain an annual streetary encroachment permit.
To apply for an annual Streetary Encroachment Permit:
If new user, follow instructions to create new user account. (link to instructions).
If existing account holder, or after create new account, apply for new encroachment permit. See instructions for guidance on how to apply for encroachment permit. (link to instructions)
Permit Type = Encroachment Online ; Permit Subtype = Streetary
Three fees are required under the SRMC Section 11.70.040: 1) application fee, 2) annual encroachment lease fee, and 3) one-time refundable deposit.
Based on input from existing Streetary owners, several expressed hardships for the amount of fees due as early as December 1, 2022. There have been requests that the city provide waivers, discounts, or payment plans to assist with the fees.
The table below presents the fees and timeline for when they will go into effect:
Fee
Amount
Timeline
Application fee
$2,000 (one time)
Fee waived until December 31, 2023
Annual Encroachment Lease fee
$3,600 per parking space
Fee waived until June 1, 2023.
Between June 1, 2023 and May 30, 2024: Fee discount of 50% applies.
Between June 1, 2024 and May 30, 2025: Fee discount of 25% applies.
Beginning June 1, 2025: 100% of fee applies (no discounts or waivers)
Deposit
$2,000 (one time)
Fee due prior to the start of construction for new streetaries or before application is accepted for existing streetaries.
Other: Building permit fee
Dependent on value of improvements – in City Master Fee Schedule
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