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Sidewalk Cafés (Sale of Goods within Business Districts)

Public Act (PA) 300 of 1949, as amended, authorizes the Michigan Department of Transportation  (MDOT)  to  permit  the  use  of  State  highway Right-of-Way  for  the purposes of establishing sidewalk cafes.

Applicants may be granted an individual permit, subject to the following requirements:

  • The   business   applying   for   a   permit   shall   occupy   private property   located adjacent  to  the  site  requested  for  the duration of the permit.
  • The  municipality,  having  jurisdiction  over  the  site,  shall  pass  a  resolution authorizing the use requested in the application. The municipality shall also agree to  enforce  compliance  with  each  MDOT  sidewalk  café  permit  within  their jurisdiction.
  • The issuance of a permit shall not confer any property right.
  • The permitted activity shall not block, obstruct, or impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
  • The permit may be limited or revoked if a permit holder conducts activities  that create an unsafe situation or interferes with transportation along the State highway Right- of-Way, or if the permit holder is in violation of the conditions of the permit.

Applicants  must  submit   an   individual   permit   application   package   through  the Construction Permit System (CPS) including the following:

  • A sketch identifying the layout and portion of the proposed sidewalk café that will be located within the State highway Right-of-Way.
  • Resolution from the local governmental agency
  • Electronic Certificate of Insurance