Joliet, IL · Will County
Sidewalk Cafe Application
This application requests permission for a food service business to offer outdoor dining on a publicly owned sidewalk or right-of-way in Joliet.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
Joliet businesses with a food service establishment license use this application to request a sidewalk café license for outdoor dining on a public sidewalk or right-of-way. The application asks for business and seating details, and requires a separate release, indemnification and hold harmless agreement, proof of insurance, a fee, a scaled site plan, and furniture photographs or catalog cuts. Submit all required items together; the form asks applicants to allow at least 20 business days for review before opening.
Who needs it
A Joliet food service business seeking to provide outdoor dining on a publicly owned sidewalk or right-of-way must submit this application and its listed supporting materials.
Why it needs a notary
The attached agreement has a state jurat; the business manager or agent signing it must sign and swear to it before the notary.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download The Application
Get the sidewalk cafe application and attached release, indemnification and hold harmless agreement.
- 2
Complete The Forms
Enter the business and outdoor seating information, and gather the required insurance, fee, site plan, and furniture materials.
- 3
Book An Online Notary
Schedule a commissioned online notary for the agreement’s jurat.
- 4
Sign On Video
The manager or agent signs and swears to the agreement during the online notary session.
- 5
Submit To The City
Send the completed application, notarized agreement, and all listed supporting materials to the City Clerk’s Business Services Office.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Joliet. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I submit a sidewalk cafe application?
- Complete the application and agreement, then include the insurance certificate, fee, scaled site plan, and furniture photographs or catalog cuts. Submit the full package to the City Clerk’s Business Services Office.
- Do I need to sign the agreement before a notary?
- Yes. The attached release, indemnification and hold harmless agreement includes a jurat, where the signer swears to the document before a notary.
- Can I notarize the agreement online?
- Illinois law authorizes electronic and remote notarization by its commissioned notaries under 5 ILCS 312. Illinois recognizes notarial acts performed outside the state by an officer authorized where the act occurs under 765 ILCS 30.
- How long should I allow for city review?
- The application asks businesses to allow a minimum of 20 business days for processing and review before opening. Contact the City Clerk’s Business Services Office about submission details; confirm with the city or village if unsure.