Outdoor dining

With our warm Mediterranean climate and access to high-quality local produce and wine, Adelaide is perfectly suited to outdoor dining. Combine this with our attractive streets, public art and passionate restaurateurs and we have a recipe for success.

Outdoor dining is essential to Adelaide’s streetscape as it provides an enjoyable and comfortable space for patrons to socialise and unwind across the city and North Adelaide. This, in turn, adds to the cultural life and vibrancy of the city and improves the wellbeing of residents and visitors.

The City of Adelaide has a focus on maintaining the safety, accessibility and appearance of its footpaths, while helping businesses create unique and ambient outdoor dining experiences. Outdoor dining permits allow Council to balance the needs of businesses and all city users.

Who can apply?

Food and drink businesses with a ground floor establishment with street frontage can apply for an Outdoor Dining Permit. They must meet the following basic guidelines:

  • footpaths must be a minimum of 3.2m wide 
  • are not located within a taxi or bus zone
  • maintain adequate pedestrian access at all times (some restrictions may apply)
  • meet the required setbacks from boundaries, kerbs and street infrastructure as detailed in the outdoor dining guidelines.
  • meet the outdoor dining permit conditions.

Please note: energy absorbing bollards may be required in some areas to ensure patron safety, and fully removable infrastructure may be required in new or redesigned outdoor dining areas.

Other conditions

All applications for outdoor dining permits are assessed on a case by case basis.

Standard conditions will be included with the permit and special conditions may be attached to individual permits if needed, or where conditional approval is available.

Development approval is required for semi-fixed umbrellas.

Only removable furniture is permitted. Businesses can only used fixed furniture if approved by the City of Adelaide prior to 2014. Refer to the Outdoor Dining Transition Plan.

Remember! South Australian law prohibits smoking in outdoor dining areas. This includes e-cigarettes, shisha, and hookah. Refer to SA Health for full details. 

Costs

Use our permit fee calculator to estimate your fees before applying.

Outdoor Dining

Fee calculator

How to apply

If you are an existing food retailer without outdoor dining, or you have already selected and signed contracts for your business premises, please complete the online form below.

Submit an expression of interest

Need more information?

If you have any questions regarding outdoor dining permits or the approval process, please contact us:

8203 7203