November 2, 2020
Dear Playhouse Village Businesses,
The City of Pasadena staff recently met with some of you and other Pasadena restaurants to discuss outdoor dining. They understand the challenges presented by the pandemic and will continue to keep an open line of communication to listen to you concerns, comments and suggestions. As such, they have provided the information below to follow-up on the primary issues raised during the call and provide responses and additional information to assist you.
Raised Platforms in Outdoor Dining Areas
Platforms that are flush with the sidewalk may be installed following submittal of design
plans for the platform and City review/approval. The platforms shall comply with the
guidelines found in the latest update to the Temporary On-Street Dining Design Guidelines
(Section B – Platforms), which was released on 10/23/20. You can find the updated guidelines here.
Platforms located on private property are required to be flush with the ground asphalt or
concrete parking area, as well as have no trip hazards, sharp or pointed edges. In addition,
platforms on private property must be secured and have an accessible route to and from the
area.
Tents & Heating Elements in Outdoor Dining Areas
The Pasadena Fire Department has developed a simplified set of guidelines for businesses
interested in setting up tents (with or without walls), canopies, umbrellas, and heaters in
outdoor dining spaces. Please find a copy of the Fire Department Guidelines here.
Note that while the document provides general requirements for propane heaters, portable
electrical heaters are a preferred alternative for outdoor heating.
Where tent walls are installed for on-street dining locations, a clear wall is recommended to
allow visibility between the on-street dining areas and the roadway. If the tent is located
within 50’ of a driveway or alley, the tent walls shall be clear to allow visibility for motorists
and pedestrians. In addition, the California Department of Public Health does not allow for
tents to have more than one sidewall while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. A fully enclosed
tent is equivalent to indoor dining, which is precluded under the State’s framework and
Pasadena Public Health Order.
Short Term Parking for Take-Out and Delivery Drivers
The City currently provides short-term parking upon request from restaurants or other businesses. Restaurants or businesses can request short term on-street parking for customer pick-up from the Department of Transportation using the Citizen Service Center 626.744.7311, www.cityofpasadena.net/citizen-service-center/. If approved, these zones are typically posted with 20-minute parking signs.
The Department of Transportation reviews requests on a case-by-case basis and typically allows existing parking spaces to be converted to 20-minute parking along the frontage of a business. Should the request include parking spaces that are not along the requesting business’ frontage, that business will need to demonstrate support for the change from 2/3 of the businesses along the frontage where the short-term parking is being requested.
Short-term parking is considered public parking and is not business specific. It shall not be branded with logos or business names. In addition, it can only be enforced for the posted time restriction, regardless of whether the space is used by a third-party delivery service, customer pick-up, etc.
Expand Business Operations Outside Thru Expedited Permit Portal
The City of Pasadena's 'Expedited Plan Check & Permitting Portal' is available to assist business sectors impacted by the Governor's Stay-at-Home Orders move their operations outside. Eligible Pasadena businesses can pursue a no-fee expedited permit for outdoor operations. Depending on the type of business, locations can include city sidewalks, alleyways, streets, and municipal parking lots, as well as private property parking lots. The Expedited Plan Check & Permitting Application Portal also allows for a rapid review of outdoor permits for dining and non-dining uses. To access the Expedited Plan Check & Permitting Portal, click here.
The PVA is committed to supporting our business community in every possible way. Please don’t hesitate to contact the PVA at info@playhousevillage.org with any questions or concerns you may have.
