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Chapter 9.120 — Outdoor Seating Permits

Tehachapi Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Tehachapi

Sections:

9.120.010 Purpose

9.120.020 Applicability

9.120.030 Findings and Decision

9.120.040 Permit Issued

9.120.050 Time Limits

9.120.060 Interruptible or Terminable

9.120.070 Additional Administrative Regulations

9.120.010 Purpose

This Chapter provides regulations for the approval of an Outdoor Seating Permit for outdoor restaurant seating that will encroach on City right-of-way or property.

9.120.020 Applicability

Approval by the Commission of an Outdoor Seating Permit shall be conditioned upon the applicant submitting application for an encroachment permit and abiding only after first making the findings specified in Section 9.120.030 (Findings and Decision).

9.120.030 Findings and Decision

The Commission may approve or conditionally approve an application for a Outdoor Seating Permit if it finds all of the following. The proposed development will:

A. Comply with all building and fire codes;

B. Comply with all rules, orders, and regulations of the City Building and Fire Departments (and Kern County Fire Department where applicable), including, but not limited to, entry, exit, and emergency requirements;

C. Immediately grant access to any public utility easement in, under, above, or associated with the encroachment to any public utility or government entity upon request;

D. Allow no less than six feet of clear space between the encroachment and the curb as measured from the closest point to the curb line;

E. Maintain the sidewalk within the encroachment in a safe condition free of cracks, holes or defects;

F. Remove any encroachment upon written notice by the City Manager or his designee;

G. Maintain as a minimum insurance as required by the City Manager and immediately report any change or interruption of insurance coverage.

H. Comply with the following additional findings if alcohol is intended to be served:

  1. Comply with all orders, rules and regulations of the Alcohol Beverage Control Board for the State of California.

Tehachapi Zoning Code | October 2014 Adopted |

9-55

Chapter 9.120 Outdoor Seating Permits

9.120.030 Findings and Decision

  1. Erect temporary City approved barriers meeting the following standards:
  • a) Sufficient to prevent intermingling of patrons and pedestrians;

  • b) Removable within 48 hours or less; and

  • c) At least four feet in height but no more than six feet in height.

  1. Provide the City with a certificate of insurance evidencing coverage as required in this Chapter for encroachments serving alcoholic beverages.

  2. Prevent any and all possession of alcohol in the encroachment area after 10:00 p.m..

  3. Prevent alcoholic beverages from being removed from the encroachment area into the street.

  4. Comply with the Tehachapi police department concerning public safety.

I. Conditions may be imposed as are necessary for public safety or to protect public improvements, such as the posting of appropriate security to guaranty the restoration of the right-of-way upon termination of the permit, and by some form of fair-market rental as compensation to the public for use of the sidewalk or right-of-way in an amount established by a resolution of the Council.

9.120.040 Permit Issued

A. The permit shall not be issued until the applicant has provided the Director with the certificate of insurance and such other evidence of insurance as City may reasonable require.

B. All policies shall have the City, its council members, commissioners, employees, and representatives as additionally insured and shall require the City be notified of cancellation or material change in coverage at least 30 days prior to same.

C. The policy shall be primary to City's policy with regard to the activities conducted within the permit.

9.120.050 Time Limits

A. The term of the permit shall not be longer than 12 months and may be renewed from time to time for 12 months by application for renewal prior to expiration of the permit.

B. A renewal term shall not be for longer than 12 months.

C. Renewal of a permit may be granted administratively by the Director.

9-56 | Adopted October 2014 | Tehachapi Zoning Code

Chapter 9.120 Outdoor Seating Permits

9.120.060 Interruptible or Terminable

A. The Outdoor Seating Permit is an interruptible or terminable permit granted by the City.

  1. City shall have the right and power, acting through the Director, to prohibit the operation of an outdoor dining area at any time because of anticipated or actual problems or conflicts in the use of the sidewalk area or right-of-way or because of violations of the terms of the permit.

  2. Problems and conflicts may arise from, but are not limited to, scheduled festivals and similar events, or parades or marches, or repairs to the street or sidewalk, or from demonstrations or emergencies occurring in the area.

9.120.070 Additional Administrative Regulations

The Council may adopt by resolution such additional administrative regulations consistent with this Chapter as it deems necessary for use of City sidewalks and public rights-of-way for consumption of food or beverages.

Tehachapi Zoning Code | October 2014 Adopted |

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9-58 | Adopted October 2014 | Tehachapi Zoning Code

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Contents — Tehachapi Zoning Code
Tehachapi Zoning Code
  1. Article 1 — Intent
  2. Article 2 — General to All
  3. Article 3 — S ecific to Zones p
  4. Article 5 — Building and Frontage Standards
  5. Article 6 — Specific to Uses
  6. Article 7 — Signs
  7. Article 9 — Procedures
  8. Article 10 — Administration
  9. Article 11 — Definitions
  10. Article 1 — Intent
  11. Article 2 — General to All
  12. Chapter 2.10 — Traditional Neighborhood Development Site Plann…
  13. Chapter 3.10 — Purpose and Application
  14. Chapter 3.20 — Transect Zones
  15. Chapter 3.30 — Non-Transect Zones
  16. Chapter 4.10 — Introduction
  17. Chapter 4.20 — Site and Structural Standards
  18. Chapter 4.30 — Density Bonus
  19. Chapter 4.40 — Landscape Standards
  20. Chapter 4.50 — Parking Standards
  21. Chapter 4.60 — Site Specific Standards
  22. Chapter 4.70 — Shopping Cart Containment and Retrieval
  23. Chapter 5.10 — Building Standards
  24. Chapter 6.20 — Site Planning, Development, and Operating Stand…
  25. Chapter 7.20 — Downtown Signs
  26. Chapter 7.30 — Signs Outside of Downtown
  27. Chapter 8.20 — Street Type Standards
  28. Chapter 9.10 — Application Processing Procedures
  29. Chapter 9.20 — Certificates of Appropriateness [new]
  30. Chapter 9.30 — Conditional Use Permits and Use Permits
  31. Chapter 9.40 — Home Occupation Permits
  32. Chapter 9.50 — Reasonable Accommodations [new]
  33. Chapter 9.60 — Architectural Design and Site Plan Review
  34. Chapter 9.70 — Temporary Use Permit
  35. Chapter 9.80 — Variances
  36. Chapter 9.90 — Permit Implementation, Time Limits, and Extensi…
  37. Chapter 9.100 — Permit Modifications and Revocations
  38. Chapter 9.110 — Mural Permits
  39. Chapter 9.120 — Outdoor Seating Permits
  40. Chapter 9.130 — Transient Outdoor Businesses
  41. Chapter 10.10 — Amendments (Zoning Code, General Plan, Regulat…
  42. Chapter 10.20 — Appeals
  43. Chapter 10.30 — Nonconforming Provisions
  44. Chapter 10.40 — Public Hearings
  45. Chapter 10.50 — Enforcement
  46. Chapter 10.60 — Penalties
  47. Chapter 11.10 — Definitions

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