COVID-19 Outdoor Seating, Live Music Permit Application & Expanded Amplified Music Hours

Urbana is open for business!  

Allowance for Outdoor Dining and/or Drinking Spaces: 

For those businesses wishing to start-up with a Phase 3 reopening with the Restore Illinois plan, the City of Urbana Community Development Services has an COVID-19 Outdoor Seating Permit Application that needs to be completed by creating a CitizenServe Portal Account. Go here for the instructions on how to create that account.

Allowance for Live Music at Restaurants & Bars: 

For those businesses wishing to start-up with a Phase 4 reopening with live music to accompany open air seating with the Restore Illinois plan, the City of Urbana Community Development Services has an COVID-19 Outdoor Seating Permit Application that needs to be completed by creating a CitizenServe Portal Account. Go here for the instructions on how to create that account. Be assured that the City of Urbana staff is committed to working with you to accommodate your individual needs and timing for your outdoor dining opening. 

In advance of sending the permit application, the following is a list of the information that will be requested with your permit application, including a narrative, site plan and Certificate of Insurance (CIO):

Narrative - you will be asked to provide a brief description of your plans for: 

• Storage and removal of exterior trash and litter
• Restrooms for patrons including ADA compliance
• Hand sanitation for patrons
• Accommodating waiting patrons
• Contact tracing

Site Plan - you will be asked to provide the following detail on your plan:

• Proposed outdoor seating area, labeled with the location, size and number of tables and chairs, or any items to be part of the outdoor seating.
• Location and number of feet of unobstructed space permitting free passage of pedestrian traffic around and through the outdoor seating area.
• Labels indicating vehicular access; entrances, exits, and vehicular flow, along with handicap accessible parking, curbside pick-up area, and delivery vehicle locations. Depending on your location you may also need to provide parking for patrons.
• Location of trees, fire hydrants, utility poles, street light poles, parking meters, bus shelters, trash receptacles and any other obstructions or other permanent street fixtures, either existing or proposed, within the outdoor seating area.
• Location of doors leading from the establishment or abutting buildings.
• Barricade type and placement, if applicable.
• Location of tent, if applicable
• Signage placement –  Phase 3 Business Tool Kit Restaurant and Bars 

Certificate of Insurance (COI) - must also be provided that includes the property area for your outdoor seating, including any public space if applicable. 
 
There will be no City of Urbana street closures for outdoor dining purposes. Also, live or amplified music will not be accommodated at this juncture. We appreciate your patience as we navigate through this difficult time and we look forward to working with you on your Phase 3 reopening!

Completed applications, along with your narrative, plan, and certificate of insurance (COI) should be submitted in the same email to: buildingsafety@urbanaillinois.us.

Live Music Guidelines

As of June 5, 2020, restaurants and bars with an approved City of Urbana COVID-19 Outdoor Seating Permit will be allowed to host live music for the enjoyment of their outdoor seating customers, according to the following guidelines.

• Foremost, Outdoor Seating Permit holders are to create a quality dining environment with background music for seated diners only and be mindful of adjoining property owners.
• A separate area must be designated for performers, keeping a distance of a least 10 feet from customer areas.
• The use of barriers between singers and customers & employees during the performance is strongly encouraged.
• Performers should wear face coverings when possible and follow social distancing guidelines, keeping a minimum of 6’ from each other.
• Customers must remain at their tables and performers may not interact with customers.
• It is the responsibility of the Outdoor Seating Permit holder to prevent non-outdoor seating spectators from congregating around the permitted property.
• Electrical service must originate from the Outdoor Seating Permit holder’s property and not create a tripping hazard in walkways and public areas.

• Monday through Thursday - non-amplified, acoustic live music will be permitted from 5PM until 9PM.
• Friday - acoustic and amplified live music will be permitted from 5PM until 9PM.
• Saturday - acoustic and amplified music will be permitted from Noon until 9PM.
• Sunday - acoustic and amplified music will be permitted from Noon until 9PM.
• Music played through a blue tooth speaker for background music will be allowed during regular business hours as long as the sound remains within the permitted area.

Urbana, thank you all for your compliance with the outdoor seating music guidelines established on June 5, 2020.