Parklets Are Going Permanent - Nov. 1 Is Your Last Chance to Be Heard

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As we have all noticed, the in-street bar and restaurant expansions--often called "parklets," though they are controlled by private businesses--have become ubiquitous in California cities. They were originally one of a number of emergency, COVID-deregulatory measures meant to keep small businesses afloat. The legislature, however, keeps extending them, and now the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is being asked to create final rules for how parklets can be operated in perpetuity.

The public hearing regarding these final rules will be held TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.

Any California resident is welcome to attend, in person at the ABC offices at 3927 Lennane Dr., Ste. 100, Sacramento (CLICK HERE FOR MAP) or via Zoom online conferencing. CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THE ZOOM HEARING.

If you cannot attend, you are also welcome to submit a written comment on or before November 1. EMAIL YOUR COMMENT DIRECTLY TO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We know the industry will be there--we need to count on people to drown them out.

We encourage anyone who has been affected negatively by the expansion to share those stories. In addition, Alcohol Justice will be addressing a few health and safety concerns in the bill, including:

* Does the operation of these "non-contiguous areas" affect public access to the sidewalk?

* Do they create noise and disruption for residents that was not present before they were approved?

* Is pedestrian, customer, bicyclist, disabled, and/or driver safety negatively affected by proximity to traffic or other fixed hazards?

* Do the expanded footprints still align with any conditions originally placed on that license, either by ABC or local approval processes?

* Are nearby residents and nearby business owners aware that they have a right to protest changed conditions, and that ABC has the power to modify conditions in response to changes to the physical space?

>>> READ MORE about possible concerns around expanded footprints in our FIELD GUIDE TO REGULATORY RELIEF.

We encourage attendees to respond in their own words and from their own experiences. Feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions about constructing your response.

Alcohol harm is on the rise in California. We were told parklets were a temporary, emergency action--when will helping those harmed or killed by alcohol use warrant its own emergency measures?