Downtown Parklet Program

Background

The Los Altos City Council adopted the Downtown Vision on August 28, 2018.  The vision provides the city of Los Altos with many approaches, long-term improvements, and short-term programs that would increase vibrancy in the downtown triangle.

On November 19, 2019, the Los Altos City Council unanimously approved the city of Los Altos Pilot Parklet Program. This pilot program was intended to allow restaurant owners to build parklets that would expand outdoor seating opportunities through Fall 2021, which would allow restaurants to have two full years with their parklets before a Council review of the program.

In September 2020, the City created the COVID Parklet Program that was approved in alignment with the Pilot Parklet Program.

Through these parklet programs and continued outreach with the business community, staff have learned a great deal about what will allow restaurants to build and sustain great outdoor dining parklets in the Los Altos community.

Program

The City Council approved the Los Altos Parklet Program in May 2023.  This program will go into effect on January 1, 2024 to give restaurant owners adequate time to submit their new application submittal documents. Restaurant owners must show that they have started construction or are planning to shortly thereafter start construction on their parklet.

Here are the major components of the Los Altos Parklet Program:

• One parklet design standard for all restaurants to create a common aesthetic unique to Los Altos.
• Dining area protected with concrete planters and metal railing.
• Allow multiple parklets on the same block and adjacent from one another.
• Allow parklets to expand in front of neighboring businesses with prior approval.
• Require a one-time application fee and subsequent annual renewal fee.
• Increase the expectations for high-level aesthetics in the parklet through increased design guidelines.
• Program is approved indefinitely, but each individual parklet will require an annual administrative renewal with staff.
• Restaurants must provide insurance and sign indemnification waiver protecting the City.

A detailed breakdown of the program with materials, design, and submittal guidelines is provided in the City of Los Altos Parklet Program Guide.

A submittal must include a completed City of Los Altos Parklet Permit Application with all other required submittal requirements. All applications shall be submitted through the electronic application submittal process by using  eTRAKiT under Planning Permits..

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the parklet application process or design of your specific parklet, please feel free to contact the City of Los Altos Economic Development team at  econdev@losaltosca.gov or the Planning Division at planning@losaltosca.gov.