Annual sidewalk patio

Sidewalk patio locations 

• Sidewalk patios can be located on public sidewalks in front of and/or to the side of your ground-floor business, directly against the building. In some cases, a sidewalk patio may be allowed in a plaza.
• Make sure to check where the property line is as patios on private property have a different permitting process. If your patio spans across both public and private property, you must submit separate permit applications for each.
• Sidewalk patios can only be installed on hardscape surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt. Alterations to public property is prohibited. 
• Sidewalk patios must: 
  • Be in the front or side of your business
  • Maintain sufficient sidewalk clearances for pedestrians
  • Maintain clearances from in-ground utilities and fire department connections
  • Not obstruct building entrances and exits
• Businesses must have a valid City permit before installing the patio. 

Find out if your location is allowed for a patio

Contact us to find out if the space in front of your business will work for a patio.

Liquor on your sidewalk patio

Liquor service is allowed on sidewalk patios if you obtain approval from the Liquor and cannabis regulation (LCRB) External website, opens in new tab.

Permits are valid from April 1 to March 31 and must be renewed each year.  

Occupant load indicates the maximum number of persons that can safely gather in a space. 

You may be eligible to increase your overall occupant load if you:

• Have 1 existing washroom, you may be eligible to add up to 10 seats to your outdoor patio, in addition to your overall occupant load
• Have 2 or more existing washrooms, the number of seats you may add to your outdoor patio will be determined by your patio footprint and accessibility requirements
• Have 0 existing washrooms, you are not eligible to increase your occupant load but may transfer indoor seating outside
• Are a Limited Service Food Establishment (LTF), you may transfer indoor seating outside, but at no point can you have more than 16 seats in total between your interior and exterior

Learn more about these requirements in Step 3

Businesses are permitted to serve liquor on sidewalk patios if they have: 

• A liquor licence from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) External website, opens in new tab
• Approval from the LCRB to serve liquor on the patio

Find more information about serving liquor

Design conditions

• The patio must be directly against the building and cannot extend beyond the business’ own storefront.
• All elements of the patio must be within the approved patio footprint.
• The patio area must be clearly defined by railings:
  • The railing height must be between 0.75 metre and 1.0 metre in height.
  • Planters can be used as a railing. Planters and plants must follow the same height guidelines as railings. 
  • Bollards and chain fencing are not permitted as they may present a hazard to pedestrians with visual impairments.
• Patios located on wide sidewalks must ensure the patio does not occupy more than 50% of the sidewalk.
• Patios must be constructed so that they can be completely removed within 24 hours.
• Patios may need to be temporarily or permanently removed, at the permit holder’s expense, to accommodate construction, maintenance, or other activities in and around the permit area.
• Advertising and signage is not permitted on/or attached to the railings of your patio.
• Any alterations to the boulevard, sidewalk, or curb are prohibited.

Public realm clearances

• A minimum 2.4 metre sidewalk clearance is required, measured from the patio railing to the utility strip or nearest sidewalk obstruction (examples: trees, bike racks, parking metres).
  • We may require additional clearance in areas with high volumes of pedestrians. 
  • Patios located on wide sidewalks should not occupy more than 50% of the sidewalk.
  • A clear, unobstructed and direct pedestrian route must be maintained on the sidewalk. Pedestrians should not have to walk around the patio or other obstructions such as sandwich boards. 
• A minimum 0.5 metre clearance is required from the patio railing to a fire department connection (FDC). FDCs must be visible at all times from the street. Contact us to make sure it is compliant with fire regulations if there is an FDC in or around your proposed patio.
• A minimum 0.5 metre clearance is required from the patio railing to in-ground utilities, such as maintenance holes, catch basins, water valves, and more.  

Accessibility

• The patio must be accessible. 
• Businesses must provide 1 accessible seating area on the patio.

Umbrellas and awnings

• Umbrellas: 
  • Can only have a single post
  • Cannot be attached to the patio railing
  • Cannot extend beyond the patio footprint into the sidewalk
• An awning requires a separate permit: 
  • Additional weather protection can be added during the winter (November 1 to March 31). Materials must be flame-resistant, transparent, and can be hung over the short ends of the patio, leaving the long side open.
• Tents are prohibited. 

Heaters

• Portable heaters are allowed on sidewalk patios, including propane heaters: 
  • Portable heaters must be brought inside daily at the end of each business day. 
  • Propane tanks must be caged and locked in a vented structure outside on private property in compliance with the BC Gas Safety Regulation.
• Heaters under or near umbrellas are NOT permitted.
• Heaters must be at least 160 centimetres (63 inches) tall and installed following manufacturer’s requirements. 

If you intend to connect utilities from your building to your patio, you are responsible for obtaining the required City permits before undertaking this work. Phone 3-1-1 to inquire. 

Decking

• Decking may be approved for sidewalk patios with an annual permit if the proposed patio location meets at least one of 2 conditions:
  1. Level a steep incline that has a slope of more than 5%
  2. Harmonize indoor and outdoor seating levels
• Decking requires design drawings and Schedule B External website, opens in new tab sealed by a Structural Engineer per the  Vancouver Building By-law.

Fees are calculated based on the area of the patio footprint. Fees are subject to changes annually. 

A. Check where the property line is

If your proposed patio is on both public property and private property, you may be required to obtain additional permits:

• Engineering coordinates the permitting on public property.
• Developing and Building Services coordinates the permitting on private property. You must contact them for permits on private property.

B. Gather and complete the required documents

• Copy of your current year’s business license
• Scaled drawings in 11 inches x 17 inches format including the following: 
  • Clearly identifiable property line
  • The proposed patio with seating layout:
    • Dimensions of all aisle widths (email the Enquiry Centre at [email protected] for all minimum requirements)
    • Dimensions of proposed furniture to be placed on the proposed patio
    • Dimensions of any egress points
    • Identify all accessible seating
  • Front elevations with dimensions
  • Side elevations with dimensions
  • Complete interior drawings with any existing patios (both on city property and private property)
    • Washrooms must be clearly defined as male, female, unisex, universal
  • The proposed railing design
    • Must include details of how the railings will be installed 
  • Clearances from the proposed patio railing to the utility strip (please refer to R2.1 of the City of Vancouver’s Design Guidelines and Construction Standards PDF file (6.7 MB)
  • The clearance for the pedestrian path must be straight and free of obstructions
  • Any fire department connection in or near (show clearance to proposed railing) the proposed patio 
  • Any utility access points in or near (show clearance to proposed railing) the proposed patio
  • You are only eligible to propose a deck if:
    • There is a need to level a steep incline of more than 5% or 
    • To harmonize indoor and outdoor seating levels 
    • If you meet one of the criteria above, the following requirements apply to your proposed deck:
      • Design drawings signed and sealed by a Structural Engineer; and
      • Schedule B External website, opens in new tab sealed by a Structural Engineer per the Vancouver Building By-law. 

C. Create online account, apply for your annual sidewalk patio, and pay the application fee 

Create your online account and upload the required documents. Once you pay your application fee, your application will be submitted. Ways you can pay:

• Online
• By appointment in person (email [email protected] to make an appointment)
• By cheque mailed to:

City of Vancouver, Engineering Services 
320 – 507 W Broadway 
Vancouver, BC, V5Z 0B4 

We will review your submitted documents for completeness and accuracy. We will contact you if your application is not complete.

A. Engineering coordinates the reviews of your application 

We will review your application to ensure the proposed patio meets all requirements. As multiple departments will need to review the application, anticipate that approvals will take several weeks to complete.  

There may be additional reviews if your business is located in a historical district, such as Chinatown, Gastown, or Yaletown. 

B. Provide insurance documents

When it is determined that the sidewalk patio can be supported, we will request a completed Liability Insurance Certificate (LIC) PDF file (179 KB). 

Forward the required LIC to your insurance agent/broker to complete. This is the only form we will accept as proof of insurance. 

Submitting the LIC with incorrect information causes delays. To avoid this, make sure that:

• Your insurance agent/broker completes the form
• The business name and trade name on the LIC match the name on your City of Vancouver business license
• The minimum limit of liability per occurrence must be $5,000,000
• If you have a valid liquor license, "Host Liquor Liability" must be checked off

Upload your completed LIC onto the online account and you will be prompted to pay the permit fee.   

C. Pay the permit fee 

Ways to pay:

• Online
• By appointment in person (email [email protected] to make an appointment)
• By cheque mailed to: 

City of Vancouver, Engineering Services 
320 – 507 W Broadway 
Vancouver, BC, V5Z 0B4 

D. Preliminary approval to build your sidewalk patio 

Once the LIC is accepted and payment is received, you will obtain preliminary approval to build your sidewalk patio, which must be completed within 6 months. Once your patios is constructed, you must email [email protected] and arrange for us to inspect it.  

E. Receive the sidewalk patio permit when you pass inspection

It is your responsibility to understand and comply to the Terms and Conditions (available January 2026) of the permit, including but not limited to: 

• Sidewalk patios must have a railing to outline the patio area. This helps to maintain sidewalk clearances and is also required if you want to serve alcohol on the patio. 
• All patio service must end and all customers must be relocated inside the establishment by 11pm.
• The patio must remain closed between 11pm and 7am the following day, unless indicated on your business licence, patio permit, and liquor licence.
• It is prohibited to enclose the patio with walls, roofs, windows, or barriers other than the required railing.
• It is important to respect your neighbours. Ensure that noise arising from the service of food and beverages on your outdoor patio, including the conduct of your patrons, does not disturb local residents. 
• Patios must be constructed so that they can be completely removed within 24 hours.
• Patios may need to be temporarily or permanently removed, at the permit holder’s expense, to accommodate construction, maintenance or other activities in and around the permit area.

Maintenance 

• The patio must be visited on a daily basis to remove litter, debris, leaves, and snow that may accumulate in and around the patio.
• Any food packaging, waste, debris, or leaves collected must be discarded in appropriate commercial waste bins. 

Apply to Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) External website, opens in new tab to obtain approval to serve liquor on your patio. 

If you have a food primary liquor licence

As part of your application to the LCRB, you will need to apply to Fire Prevention for an occupant load permit. Review all the requirements for this permit.

The drawing you submit to Fire Prevention must match the approved patio footprint from your patio permit (see “documents” tab in your online account). 

When your occupant load permit is approved, Fire Prevention will stamp your submitted floor plan.

If you have a liquor primary liquor licence or a manufacturing liquor licence 

Businesses with a liquor primary liquor licence and/or manufacturing liquor license must first apply for any proposed changes to their service area. As part of this process, you will be required to apply to Fire Prevention for an occupant load permit. Once you have completed these steps, you may apply to the LCRB.  

If you have any questions, email [email protected] or phone 604-871-6988.

A. Log in to your online account

B. Provide us with an updated LIC and pay your permit fee

When it is determined that the sidewalk patio can be supported, we will request a completed Liability Insurance Certificate (LIC) PDF file (179 KB).

Forward the required LIC to your insurance agent/broker to complete. This is the only form we will accept as proof of insurance.

Submitting the LIC with incorrect information causes delays. To avoid this, make sure that: 

• Your insurance agent/broker completes the form
• The business name and trade name on the LIC match the name on your City of Vancouver business license
• The minimum limit of liability per occurrence must be $5,000,000
• If you have a valid liquor license, "Host Liquor Liability" must be checked off

Upload your completed LIC onto the online account and you will be prompted to pay the permit fee.

C. Pay permit fees

Ways to pay:

• Online
• By appointment in person (email [email protected] to make an appointment)
• By cheque mailed to:

City of Vancouver, Engineering Services
320 – 507 W Broadway 
Vancouver, BC, V5Z 0B4 

Information icon Payment is due before April 1 each year.