Ocean-Drive-Sidewalk-Cafe-Design-GuidelinesPARKLET DESIGN GUIDELINES
WASHINGTON AVENUE AND SUNSET HARBOUR JULY 2021
City of Miami Beach
Public Works Department
Parklet Design Guidelines
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Background........................................................................... 3
Program Overview................................................................. 4
Location Criteria................................................................... 5-6
The Platform........................................................................ 7-8
Page 2
Program Goals...................................................................... 4
Parklet Design Elements.........................................................9-13
Parklet Layout........................................................................14
Parklet Design Guidelines
BACKGROUND
In 2015, the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Panel for Washington Avenue recommended that the City Commission
encourage the establishment of parklets along Washington Avenue, in order to stimulate economic development
and further activate the Washington Avenue corridor. Before the year’s closing, the City Commission approved its first Resolution to create a Washington Avenue Pilot Parklet Program ("Pilot Program"), allowing businesses located
along Washington Avenue to install parklets for utilization by sidewalk cafes in on-street parking spaces on a
temporary basis, subject to certain requirements, fees and criteria.
In order to encourage restaurants to participate in the Pilot Program, the Mayor and City Commission amended its
City Code to abate sidewalk cafe permit application fees and per-square-foot permit fees for sidewalk cafe
operators that participated in the Pilot Program. The Washington Avenue Parklet Program and fee abatement were
approved through March 31, 2021.
Early last year, the word was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic, which required the issuance of Emergency
Orders by Miami Dade County, temporarily closing and/or imposing restrictions on public and private facilities,
including temporary closures, occupancy limits, and other restrictions applicable to restaurants. These restrictions
greatly limited economic activity in the City of Miami Beach, and adversely impacted City businesses.
On May 13, 2020, the City Commission adopted its first Resolution, creating the Restaurant Recovery Outdoor
Seating Program ("Outdoor Seating Program"), in an effort to encourage businesses to reopen and promote
economic recovery, while safeguarding the public's health and safety. This Restaurant Recovery Outdoor Seating
Program is due to sunset on September 20, 2021.
On January 20, 2021, the Land Use and Sustainability Committee held a discussion regarding sidewalk cafes
and parklets in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood. At their meeting, the LUSC members recommended that parklets
for sidewalk cafe seating continue to be permitted on Washington Avenue, include Sunset Harbor and bring it to
Commission for approval
The Ordinance as amended, creates a Parklet Program, establishes the scope of the Program, provides for Parklet
Design Guidelines, identifies permitted parklet areas, provides for an application, site plan, and fees, incorporates
provisions of the Sidewalk Cafe Ordinance, and provides for removal.
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Parklet Design Guidelines
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The City of Miami Beach’s Parklet Program aims to facilitate the conversion of on-street parking spaces into an
extension of restaurant seating areas on a temporary basis for all to enjoy in the areas of Washington Avenue
between 6 and Lincoln Road and the area of Sunset Harbour. The Parklet Program provides a path for merchants to
take individual actions in the development and beautification of the city’s public realm. The first formal public
parklets were initially conceived and installed in San Francisco in 2010. Since that time the program has become
very successful in several communities and is being emulated in cities around the world. Parklets are intended as
aesthetic enhancements to the street scape, providing an opportune response to the need for increased public open
space and extension to restaurant seating area. They may also provide amenities like planting, bike parking, and
art. They reflect the city’s commitment to encouraging walking and biking, creating pedestrian-friendly streets, and
strengthening our communities.
The materials consist of semi-permanent, pervious, high-quality decks that expand the pedestrian realm beyond the
sidewalk, allowing business owners to increase outdoor seating, without requiring permanent street redesign and
construction. They may include additional amenities and other associated improvements, generally located in front
of and developed and operated by the adjacent restaurant business.
Reimagine the potential of city streets
Public rights-of-ways make up approximately 25 percent of the city’s land area. Parklets promote a low-cost, easily
implementable approach to public space improvement through projects that energize and reinvent the public
realm. They help address the desire and need for increased public open space and wider sidewalks.
Encourage non-motorized transportation
Parklets encourage walking by providing pedestrian amenities like seating, landscaping and associated
enhancements. Parklets may provide bicycle parking and thus increase the visibility and availability of bicycling in
and around Miami Beach.
Encourage pedestrian activity
Parklets provide pocket spaces for pedestrians to sit and enjoy the outdoors, while also improving walkability.
Support local businesses
Parklets attract attention to businesses and provide additional seating that can be used by businesses' patrons. A
Parklets could also beautify the street and create a neighborhood destination.
PROGRAM GOALS
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Parklet Design Guidelines
LOCATION CRITERIA
Parklets for this program must comply with Miami Beach Code
of Ordinances Chapter 82, Article IV, Division 5
Subdivision II. Permit, Sec. 82-390 and the provisions in these
guidelines. Parklets will be permitted on both sides of
Washington Avenue from 6 Street to Lincoln Road and in
Sunset Harbour restaurant areas where feasible.
Parking Spaces
Parklets can be sited along the curb line on streets where on-
street parking spaces exist. They can be considered in any lo-
cation where there are space(s) for on-street parallel, *angled,
or perpendicular parking, including unmarked parking spaces.
*Parklets on angled parking spaces will be evaluated on a
case-by-case basis for feasibility.
Where an accessible parking space is proposed for a Parklet
location, the relocation of such accessible parking space must
be available within the vicinity, and must be reviewed and
approved by the Parking Department.
Parklet platforms must be placed at least one parking space
away from corners to maintain sight triangle visibility unless
curb configuration, such as large bump-out, allows for safe
placement of a Parklet closest to the corner (evaluated on a
case-by-case basis) and in compliance with any applicable
Miami Dade County or FDOT requirements for visibility as
applicable.
Street Slope
Parklet platforms must adjust to existing street slope to provide
a level surface, not exceeding 2 percent slope in any direction,
see platform information below.
Applicants must perform their own site assessment to ensure
the built platform will meet requirements.
At least one parking space away from corners
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Running Slope Sidewalk Cross Slope
Running Slope 2% max Cross Slope 6” Curb (typ)
*Running slope to match street/sidewalk grade
Parklet Design Guidelines
LOCATION CRITERIA
Page 6
Reflective Elements at Corners
Reflective elements are required at the outside corners
of all Parklets. Soft-hit posts are a standard solution
deployed at the outside edges; however the city will
consider additional reflective elements incorporated in
the Parklet design.
Wheel Stops
For Parklets in parallel parking spaces, a three-foot
wheel stop must be installed one foot from the curb at
the edge of the front and back parking spaces. When
Parklets are installed adjacent to parallel parking
spaces, wheel stops should be set back four feet from
the Parklet structure. For angled parking spaces and
adjacent to driveways, City staff will evaluate to
determine the appropriate location for wheel stops.
Wheel stops shall be made of recycled rubber/plastic.
Additional barriers may be required on perimeter
following Miami Dade County or FDOT requirement as
applicable.
Site Conditions
The initial site plan must accurately reflect the existing
site conditions and include streetscape features like
adjacent bike racks, utility covers, inlets, street poles,
existing signs, street trees, tree wells, etc.
Sight Triangle
Parklets must not interfere with sight triangles. A sight tri-
angle is a triangular shaped portion of land established
for unobstructed visibility of motorists entering or leaving
a street or driveway intersection. On this portion of land,
no stationary or movable element (i.e. vehicles, vehicular
maneuvering area, signs, landscaping or objects of any
kind, including solid buffers) is permitted to be located
between a height of two and one-half (2½) and eight (8)
feet above the elevation of the adjoining edge of
pavement. An exception to the prohibition is a tree with
clear trunk between two and one-half (2½) and eight (8)
feet.
Parking Space Identification
A maximum of two (2) on-street parking spaces will be
allowed per Parklet per city block where the restaurant
may be located; additional parklets per block will be
reviewed for approval. The plan needs to show the
location of the parking space(s) to be removed and the
zone number, if applicable.
My Neighbor (Business name and address)
Parklet Sponsor
(My business name and
Address)
My Other Neighbor (Business name and address)
9 ft
Entrance Location
Street signs
Existing Colored Curbs
6 ft Proposed Parklet Location
Street Name Here
4 ft 4 ft
Legend
Existing Street Signs
Existing Bike Rack
Existing Street Tree
Existing Utility (in sidewalk and in street)
Existing Parking Space Marking
4 ft Required Parklet buffer (to be included within parking space limits)
Existing Street Light North Arrow N
Parklet Design Guidelines
THE PLATFORM
The Platform
The platform provides the structural base for the Parklet. The
permit application must include plans signed and sealed by a
design or construction professional to ensure that the platform
will be sturdy and safe. Applicants must provide a Hurricane
Preparedness Plan to remove or secure the platform during
storm events or permit plans must specify the platform to sustain
hurricane force winds.
Bolting
Bolting into the street or penetrating the surface of the road is
not allowed and any alteration may not be allowed without a
restoration plan and an excavation bond posted by the
applicant and their contractor. Parklets may be bolted to the
existing curb, with specific restoration requirements.
Platform Surface
The top of the Parklet platform must be flush with the sidewalk
and a maximum slope no greater than 2% in any direction.
There shall be a maximum gap of one-half inch between the
platform and the sidewalk or otherwise there shall be an
accessible transition plate or other approved solution to
mitigate gap. In the case of a sloping street (crown of
road),platform structure must be designed and built to adjust to
such slope to provide a level surface not exceeding 2% slope.
Access for Maintenance
If the platform base is not solid, the space underneath the
platform surface must be accessible for maintenance through
access panels, removable pavers, etc.
Surface Materials
Platform surface must be pervious high-quality decking and
pavers. Finish materials must be wood, composite, masonry.
Tiles, rugs, artificial turf will not be permitted. Also loose
particles, such as sand or loose stone, are not permitted on the
Parklet; surfaces must be slip-resistant.
Parklet Curb
Parklet
1/2” max gap
Curb
Parklet
Example Connector plate
for < 1/2” gap
Plate 1/4" max thickness
SECTION VIEW
Curb
FINISH MATERIALS
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Parklet Design Guidelines
THE PLATFORM
Drainage
The Parklet platform cannot impede the flow of curbside
drainage. Plans must show covers on openings at either
end of the Parklet with screens that allow flow of water but
prevent blockage from debris.
Street Crown and Curb Height
Most Miami Beach streets are crowned (parabolic in cross-
section) and typically edged with a six-inch high curb. This
is to ensure that storm water flows toward the curb and
gutter during a rainstorm. The curb is intended to prevent
water from flooding the sidewalk and adjacent buildings.
This means that the elevation of the street rises further from
the curb, effectively reducing the amount of space
(thickness) to build the Parklet platform. Whereas along the
curb there may be 6 inches height for your platform
structure, such height may be reduced to as little as 2
inches further into the street. Furthermore, both curb
heights and street crown heights vary with each street
segment. Applicants and designers must take field
measurements before beginning the design to make sure
their proposed platform solution will fit within the allotted
space and satisfy all slope and accessibility requirements.
Running Slope
Running Slope
Sidewalk Cross Slope
2% max Cross Slope 6” Curb (typ.)
Reduced platform depth
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Parklet Design Guidelines
DESIGN ELEMENTS
Buffer the edges
Depending on the location, the Parklet shall have an
edge to buffer the street. This can take the form of
planters, railing, ca- bling, or other approved
equivalent buffer. The height shall not exceed 42",
and its finish shall be painted metal or clear anodized
aluminum, concrete or composite. Scale of the buffer
required will vary depending on local context. For
example, on some low-traffic streets/sections, a
continuous edge may not be required. (If cable railing
is used, spacing between cables cannot exceed six
inches).
Maintain a Visual Connection to the Street
The Parklet design should maintain a visual
connection to the street. Continuous opaque walls
above forty-two inches that block views into the
Parklet from the surrounding streetscape are
prohibited. You are allowed to include columns and
other vertical elements, for review and approval
during permit review.
Round tables shall be no larger than 36" in diameter.
Square tables shall be no larger than 36" wide and
rectangular tables shall seat no more than four people.
Tables shall be constructed of metal, high-quality
recycled plastic or natural or manufactured stone.
Total of outdoor seating must comply with plumbing
requirements and shall provide 5% minimum ADA
seating spaces and equivalent seating options as those
provided to other patrons.
Chairs
All chairs must be matching and be commercial grade,
manufactured for outdoor commercial use. The seat of
the chair shall not exceed 24" in height and the overall
dimension of the chair shall not exceed 24" wide by
24" deep by 42" tall. Chairs must be constructed of
metal, or high-quality recycled plastic. Upholstered
chairs, benches, booths, picnic tables or sofas shall not
be permitted.
Lighting
During evening and nighttime hours of operation,
supplemental lighting beyond what is provided by
street lights may be required by operator. Light levels
at Parklets may be supplemented with flameless LED
votives, or other similar battery-operated light on tables
only. Lighting is not permitted to be attached to any
element of the Parklet or any other element within the
right-of-way; it cannot face the street or otherwise affect
motorists. Supplemental outdoor lighting must also
meet environmental requirements as applicable.
Prohibited items: Speakers, fans, misters, heat lamps.
Furnishings
All furnishings permitted must be free-standing, must all
match, remain clean and free of fading, corrosion,
dents, tears and chipped paint. Furnishings must be
constructed of durable materials, manufactured for
commercial outdoor use.
Umbrellas
For a Parklet, if umbrellas are proposed, they shall be
center post and not exceed 6 feet by 6 feet with a
vertical clearance of 80 inches.
Tables
The use of small round or square tables seating two to
four people will maximize the number of available
tables and will provide flexibility in the seating layout.
42” max
buffer
36”min buffer
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Parklet Design Guidelines
DESIGN ELEMENTS continued
UMBRELLA CANOPY FABRIC
Umbrella canopies shall consist of a marine grade canvas that is fire-retardant, pressure-treated or manufac
tured of fire-resistant material . The umbrella canopy canvas fabric shall be one of the following Sunbrella brand
solid colors or its equivalent. Vinyl fabric shall not be permitted.
4604 -Natural 4630 -Cadet Grey 4635 -Buttercup 4642 -Oyster 4630 -Silver
4664 -Sea 4675 -Capri 4685 -Ginkgo 4688 -Basil 4693 -Pink
UMBRELLA STRUCTURE-materials and finishes
The frame and mast shall consist of marine grade aluminum components. The finish of the structure shall be a
polished or brushed natural aluminum, titanium or silver color.
UMBRELLA SIGNAGE REGULATIONS
Umbrella signage shall be limited to the name and/or logo of the parklet business in individual letters that
do not exceed 6" in height. The length of the sign shall not exceed 25% of the length of each side of the
umbrella, and may be placed on a maximum of 2 sides.
: : ✓ :::tf :MIAM[BEAC}f :l Height = 6" max' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' . .
Width = 25% of length of one
side of umbrella canopy
X �AC El_----=--
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Parklet Design Guidelines
DESIGN ELEMENTS continued
TABLE TYPES AND DIMENSIONS
The use of small round or square tables seating two to four people will maximize the number of available tables
and will provide flexibility in the cafe layout. Tables shall not be taller than 34".
Round Square Profile ADA Table
MATERIALS AND FINISHES (Sample Images)
Tables shall be constructed of metal, high quality recycled plastic or natural or manufactured Stone.
Metal Metal Metal & Stone
ADA Table
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Parklet Design Guidelines
DESIGN ELEME NTS continued
SEATING DIMENSIONS
Parklet chairs must match and shall be of a commercial grade, manufactured for outdoor commercial use.
The seat of the chair shall not exceed 24" in height and the overall dimension of the chair shall not exceed 24"
wide x 24" deep x 42" tall.
MATERIALS AND FINISHES (Sample Images)
Chairs shall be constructed of metal, or high quality recycled plastic . Upholstered chairs, benches, booths,
sofas, or fluorescent or other strikingly bright or vivid colored chairs shall not be permitted.
Page 12
LIGHTING (Sample Images)
Flameless LED votives, or other similar battery/solar powered
Parklet Design Guidelines
DESIGN ELEMENTS continued
MENU BOARD REQUIREMENTS
One menu board and one specials board shall be permitted, per parklet. A menu board allows for the posting
of a restaurant's complete menu and specials board allows for the posting of a restaurant's daily specials.
A menu board or specials board shall not exceed 6 square feet in area and the overall height of the
board shall not exceed 5'-6" from grade. The boards are not permitted to be internally illuminated and may
not be of a sandwich board type design. Menu boards must be placed within parklet area.
MATERIALS AND FINISHES
Menu board and specials boards shall be constructed substantially of metal material.
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Parklet Design Guidelines
PARKLET LAYOUT
PROFILE VIEW
PLAN VIEW
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