Fees approved for outdoor dining spaces in Encinitas

ENCINITAS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The City of Encinitas is working on how pandemic-era outdoor dining will look for years to come.

Local and state law allows temporary outdoor dining until July 2026 or until a permanent ordinance is adopted.

On Wednesday night, Encinitas City Council decided how much outdoor dining space will cost businesses and what it will look like.

“We’re still stuck with these ugly looking orange cones in the front,” said Raul Villamar, owner of Encinitas Barbers.

It was decided the current orange k-rails would be replaced by a neutral concrete style, with the option for murals or other designs in the future.

“We actually fought for the rights of the businesses, the restaurants when they were closing them down and putting either no customers or out on the street, but it’s come to the time where they are allowed back inside so they have doubled their floor space virtually for free,” said Vicki Bass, owner of Encinitas Coin and Jewelry.  

The city would incur the cost of about $500 per concrete barrier and maintain them, however businesses will begin paying for the parklets.

The council decided on a fee of $2.50 per square foot, per month which will begin Aug. 1. The fees will increase annually based on inflation. The $2.50 fee is the same as the City of San Diego for outdoor dining space.

Some locals have continued to criticize the dozens of parking spaces no longer available.

“We don’t have very many parking as you see the parking is terrible,” Villamar said.

Others see no issue and believe people will adapt.

“I really think people have mostly figured out the parking issue. Evidence of that is there’s more foot traffic, there’s more customer base,” said John Niedernhofer, co-founder of Culture Brewing.

The city is estimating about $240,000 in revenue from the outdoor spaces if they stayed as is, however some businesses may scale down in size or choose to no longer have the space. 

The ordinance will continue to be worked on and it’s expected parking spaces may be discussed by the end of summer.