Curbside patio permit

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  Overview of curbside patio permits

  Permit types

  Requirements	Summer (simplified application)	Summer (regular application)	Year-round (2022/23 trial)
  Fees	Permit fees apply (7 months) Review current rates	Permit fees apply (7 months) Review current rates	Permit fees apply (12 months) Review current rates
  Application process	Fast review (Apply by mid-February)	Regular review (Apply by early January.)	Renewal of summer 2022 permit
  Permit term	April 1 – October 31 (Renewable every year)	April 1 – October 31 (Renewable every year.)	November 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023 and April 1 - October 31, 2023 permits (one-year trial)
  Occupant load	No increase or change	Permanent increase allowed	No increase or change (must keep same patio as summer 2022 permit)
  Maximum number of patio seats	Shift up to 50% of interior seats to patio	Add seats and new maximum occupant load calculated	Shift up to 50% of interior seats to patio  (must keep same patio as summer 2022 permit)
  Decking	Not allowed	Under review	N/A (must keep same patio as summer 2022 permit)
  Drawing requirements	Scaled, dimensioned drawing of patio (Review drawing requirements)	Scaled, dimensioned drawing of patio (Review drawing requirements, which includes interior drawings.) If decking is proposed: engineer sealed drawings required	Extension of summer 2022 permit; no drawing submission is required
  Additional documents	Current City of Vancouver business licence Occupant Load Form Consent from neighbouring business (if patio will extend in front of neighbour)	Current City of Vancouver business licence Updated consent from neighbouring business (if patio will extend in front of neighbour) Decking document (if applicable): Confirmation from engineer of correction installation required each year at renewal	SUBMIT: Updated consent from neighbouring business (if applicable) SUBMIT: Updated Liability Insurance Certificate (LIC), if expired before October 31, 2022

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  How to apply to the LCRB or change your liquor service area to include your patio

  Note The Province’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) temporary expanded service area (TESA) authorization will expire on March 31, 2023. To make sure your business has approval to serve alcohol for the 2023 patio season, you're strongly encouraged to apply now to the LCRB External website, opens in new tab. 

  If you have a: 

  • Food primary liquor licence: LCRB applications require you to first apply to Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (VFRS) for an occupant load permit. When applying for an occupant load permit, you may use a drawing with the same footprint as your 2022 summer patio if you plan to install the same patio in summer 2023. Once approved, VFRS will stamp your patio drawing. Learn more and apply for an occupant load permit and/or stamped drawing 
  • Liquor primary liquor licence and/or a manufacturing business licence: You must apply to both LCRB and us at the same time for any changes to your service areas. Review the requirements before submitting your City liquor licensing application form.  Apply for or make permanent changes to an existing liquor licence

  Note When a 2023 permit has been issued, use it for your temporary expanded service area (TESA) authorization.

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  Drawing requirements: summer (simplified application) permit 

  A simple to-scale, dimensioned drawing is required if you are applying for a summer (simplified review) patio permit for the first time or proposing to change your patio from summer 2022. These drawings:

  • Don’t need to be done by a professional architect
  • Don't need a professional stamp or seal
  • Don’t need interior drawings of the restaurant
  • Can be done on computer or by hand – as long as they are accurate, to scale, and have dimensions and labelling

  Important note If you held a 2022 summer patio permit and are not proposing to make changes to your patio for summer 2023, no drawing submission is required.

Permit requirements

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  Patio restrictions

  • Business can have various table and chair configurations within the patio, but the total width of the patio area cannot exceed 1.8 metres. 
  • Railings MUST outline the patio area.
    • Traffic safety signs and reflective materials must be mounted on railings to assist with visibility. 
  • Walls, tents, or other visual obstructions cannot enclose the patio.  
  • Businesses with a valid BC liquor licence and LCRB approval can serve alcohol to patrons 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/or liquor licence. 
  • Please 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.
  • Live entertainment, broadcasting, and amplified sound, including music and speech, are not permitted.
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  Eligibility

  • Proposed patio space must be on City property and not extend beyond the hard sidewalk surface.
  • Business must have a valid business licence as a restaurant, a limited service food establishment, or a manufacturer.
  • The total number of seats, including the patio, must not exceed maximum permitted occupant load. 
  • The curbside patio must be adjacent to the restaurant or limited service food establishment’s ground floor storefront (front or side). 
  • Businesses must receive permission from us before installing the patio.
  • Businesses with liquor licences are permitted to serve alcohol on curbside patios.
    • Businesses with a liquor primary licence and/or manufacturing business licence must email liquor.comments@vancouver.ca before applying to get  approval from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).
    • If you serve liquor, ensure that your insurance certificate has ‘host liquor liability’ checked off.

  Business licence holders eligible for curbside patio permits

  • Liquor establishment standard (LH)
  • Limited service food establishment (LT)
  • Liquor establishment extended (LJ)
  • Manufacturer - food (MF)
  • Manufacturer - food with anc. retail (MG)
  • Retail dealer – grocery (RT)
  • Restaurant (all classes)

  Important note Each application’s unique considerations, such as location, design, pedestrian volume etc., will be taken into consideration. 

  Patios in public plazas

  While patios in public plazas can help to animate the public space, special consideration must be given to their size and configuration to ensure the functionality of the public space is maintained.

  Patios located in plazas will require:

  • Additional review
  • Design revisions that may be required to accommodate the core public uses of the plaza, including public seating, pedestrian and bike circulation, and programming
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  Occupant load

  Occupant load indicates the maximum number of persons that can safely use a space; for example a restaurant or a place of gathering. 

  Summer patio (simplified application)

  • Allowance to transfer up to 50% of indoor seating capacity to a patio outside. Important note Total seating capacity for the restaurant must remain the same.
  • As part of this application, a summer patio occupant load form PDF file (283 KB) must be submitted. 

  Summer patio (regular application)

  • This permit allows businesses to add seats to a patio.
  • Restaurants can permanently increase their occupant load. A new maximum occupant load will be calculated.

  Year-round patio (2022/23 one-year trial)

  • Allowance to transfer up to 50% of existing indoor seating capacity to a patio outside. Important note Total seating capacity for the restaurant must remain the same.
  • Businesses must keep the same patio as their summer 2022 patio. Important note Total seating capacity for the restaurant must remain the same. 

  Important note If your business is a "limited service food establishment", at no time can you have more than 16 seats whether indoors or outdoors.

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  Insurance

  As a condition of being granted a curbside patio permit, you must show proof of liability insurance coverage that is inclusive limit of liability of $5,000,000 for public liability and property damage.

  1. Download our Liability Insurance Certificate PDF file (175 KB)
  2. Forward certificate to your insurance company to complete form.
  3. Upload the completed certificate during your application. Important note Only this form will be accepted. 

  Important note The insurance certificate is not required to be submitted at the time of application, but we strongly encourage you to have the insurance certificate ready at time of application. 

  Important note You must present the insurance certificate to us once the patio application receives a preliminary approval. 

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  Design conditions and clearance

  Important note The design conditions encourage a diversity of seating options for businesses. Once the patio permit is approved, any alterations to the patio area requires our approval.  

  • Curbside patios must be located in the curb lane of the street (on-street parking, road space or street plazas) in front or on the side of the ground floor business storefront.
    • Businesses are not permitted to have their patios extend beyond their own business storefronts.
    • If your patio proposal is located within a travel lane (for example, no stopping during peak hours) or a plaza, contact us prior to applying. 
  • To ensure safety adjacent to travel lanes, patio width must not exceed 1.8 metres. 
  • Railing or planters must outline the patio area (continuous with no gaps).
    • Traffic safety signs and reflective materials must be mounted on railings to assist with visibility.
  • The railing or planter height must be between 0.75 metres and 1 metre in height.
    • This helps to ensure the patio remains ‘OPEN’ in appearance and maintain a level of interaction between patio patrons and pedestrians.
    • The railing height supports this interaction without impacts to sightlines for pedestrians or motorists.
    • Bollards and chain fencing are not permitted as the railing must be rigid and secure to prevent the railing from shifting and not present a trip hazard for patrons. 
  • The use of well-maintained plants is encouraged within the defined area.
    • If planters are used to partition space within the patio, the combined height of planters, and plants needs to be within the required railing height limits.
    • Plants may not overhang excessively into the public right of way.
  • The perimeter of the patio must maintain at a minimum 5 metres clearance from fire hydrants and 0.5 metres from fire department connections.
  • Curbside patios near corners must maintain at minimum 6 metres clearance from the edge of the corner sidewalk or stop sign/ traffic control.
    • If adjacent to a laneway or driveway, a clearance of 1.5 metres must be maintained.
  • The perimeter of the patio must maintain at a minimum 5 metres clearance from utilities (such as maintenance holes and storm drains).
  • Curbside patios must have a minimum of 1 metre clearance every 12 metres (every two parking spaces). 
  • The beginning and end of the curbside patio must be 5 metres from the property line  to provide 1 metre total clear space between two patios. 
  • Solar or battery powered lights on tables or railings are allowed within curbside patios.
  • When designing your patio, it is important that the patio be able to be removed within 24 hours’ notice to accommodate public works such as construction, utility work, or sidewalk repair.
  • Once the patio permit is approved, any alterations to the patio area requires our approval.  

  Additional safety requirements

  • To maximize the visibility of the patio for oncoming traffic, an object marker must be installed and reflective tape or reflectors must be added to the patio railing.
  • Object marker signs warn road users that they are approaching objects within and/or immediately adjacent to the pavement that constitute a hazard to passing traffic.
    • Make sure that an object marker has stripes that slope at a 45-degree angle down toward the travel lanes of the roadway.

  Restrictions

  • The patio and patio furniture must be placed on the ground.
    • Drilling, anchoring into or removing the pavement are not authorized. 
  • No part of the curbside patio should overhang or extend beyond the approved patio area.
    • This includes umbrellas that can easily overhang into adjacent travel lanes or sidewalk space. 
  • Running power (cables) from the building to the patio is not permitted as they may pose a tripping hazard
  • Suspended lights are not permitted.
  • Advertising and signage is not permitted on or attached to the railings of your patio. 
  • Any alterations to the City’s boulevard, sidewalk or curb must be authorized by us and require additional permits.
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  Accessibility

  • Businesses must provide accessible seating at one of their patios.
    • If you intend to serve liquor on your patio, accessible seating must be provided on at least one of your liquor serving patios. 
    • The patio furniture must include at least one table for persons with reduced mobility. 
  • Access ramps must be available wherever there may be changes in grade (for example a step down from the curb). Ramps must be provided and maintained by the business.
  • The patio and patio amenities must not impede in any way the pedestrian clearances.
    • This includes queuing, sandwich boards, host stations, or umbrellas overhanging. 

  Important note We will be conducting a design and fee review in 2022. As part of the review, we will seek feedback from stakeholders on how to enhance the patio programs’ accessibility, safety, design, and balance of public and private uses. More information on this review will be reported to Council and shared on this page.

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  Weather protection and heating

  Umbrellas

  Umbrellas (single post) are permitted within curbside patios.

  Heaters 

  Portable heating devices, including propane heaters, are allowed within curbside patios.

  Heaters must be:

  • At least 160 centimetres (65 inches) tall and installed and used following manufacturers’ requirements
  • Brought inside daily at close of business and propane tanks must be caged and locked in a vented outside structure in compliance with the BC Gas Safety Regulation

  Restrictions

  • Tents or other structures are not permitted in curbside patios to ensure full visibility for persons walking, cycling, and driving. 
  • Heaters are NOT permitted under or near umbrellas or trees.
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  Serving alcohol

  Businesses are permitted to serve alcohol on curbside patios as long as you have:

  • A liquor permit
  • Approval from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB)
  • A Fire Services occupant load permit

  Important note Businesses with a liquor primary licence and/or manufacturing business licence must apply for any changes to their service area. Review requirements and submit application before applying to get approval from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).

  Important note If you serve liquor, ensure that your insurance certificate has ‘host liquor liability’ checked off.

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  Decking - Under review

  Important note Decking is not permitted for summer (simplified application) patio permits. To include decking on your patio, businesses must apply for a summer (regular application) patio permit.  

  Requirements

  • Decking must have at least a 41 centimetres x 10 centimetres drainage channel along the curb.
  • Decking requires design drawings and Schedule B sealed by a structural engineer.
  • No drilling or anchoring of decking into street or sidewalk.
  • All decks must be wheelchair accessible. 

  Important note All proposals for deck structures above the ground require design drawings and a Schedule B sealed by a structural engineer. Review Schedule B “ASSURANCE OF PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AND COMMITMENT FOR FIELD REVIEW” of the Vancouver Building By-law. 

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  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.

  Important note The cleaning area is the patio footprint plus 1.5 metres onto the sidewalk and additional 5 metres along the curb in both directions to facilitate City street cleaning.

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  Design drawings

  Summer (simplified application) patio permit 

  When a drawing is required

  If you are applying for a summer (simplified application) patio permit for the first time or proposing to change your patio from summer 2022, a simple to-scale dimensioned drawing is required.

  These drawings:

  • Don’t need to be done by a professional architect
  • Don't need a professional stamp or seal
  • Don’t need interior drawings of the restaurant
  • Can be done on computer or by hand – as long as they are accurate, to scale, and have dimensions and labeling

  When a drawing isn't required

  If you held a 2022 summer patio permit and are not proposing to make changes to your patio for summer 2023, a drawing isn't required

  Summer (regular application) patio permit 

  Drawings need to be submitted with metric dimensions on tabloid or P3 paper format (280 millimetres x 430 millimetres; 11 inches x 17 inches).

  The drawings must include: 

  • The proposed patio with seating layout:
    • Dimensions of all aisle widths (Contact the Development Building Services Centre) 
    • Dimensions of proposed furniture to be placed on the proposed patio
    • Dimensions of any egress points
    • Identifying all accessible seating
  • Front elevations with dimensions
  • Side elevations with dimensions
  • Decking details 
  • Complete interior drawings plus any additional approved patio spaces
    • Define washrooms as male, female, unisex, universal
  • Proposed railing design
    • Must include how the railings will be installed, if applicable
  • Clearances from the proposed patio railing to the utility strip [refer to R2.1 of our design guidelines and construction standards PDF file (7 MB)] 
    • The clearance for the pedestrian path must be straight and free of obstructions
  • Any fire department connection (FDC) in or near (show clearance to proposed railing) the proposed patio
  • Any utility access points in or near the proposed patio
    • Show clearance from edge of utility access to the proposed railing
  • Occupant load details and calculations

  Year-round patio (2022/23 one-year trial)

  Drawings for the one-year trial of a year-round patio will have already been approved through the summer patio permit application process. 

  Type of drawings

  The patio permit application drawings must be 2-D drafted line drawings to scale, with accurate dimensions and labelling. 

  Important note A professional seal (by architect or engineer) is not required, unless decking is proposed. Drawings may be supplemented by 3D and IFC files.

  A complete drawing set showing all the requirements will help to streamline the application and reduce questions and back and forth.

Apply for a curbside patio permit

Review the requirements and apply.

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  Review and pay fees

  Important note Summer patio applicants who apply for a year-round patio in the same calendar year will receive a credit towards their year-round patio fees.

  Important note Payment is due before April 1, each year.

  The patio area used to determine the fee is calculated based on the outer most portion of the patio's footprint.

  Location	Application fee	Summer rate per m² (April 1 – October 31)	Year-round (2022/23) rate per m² (November1 - October 31)
  Downtown - West of Main, North of False Creek	$238.02 (non-refundable)	$95.13/ m² + GST	$162.83/ m² + GST
  Outside of downtown	$238.02 (non-refundable)	$67.41/ m² + GST	$115.49/ m² + GST

  Important note Fees are subject to changes annually.

  How to pay fees

  Pay fees:

  • Online
  • By appointment in person (Email street.activities@vancouver.ca to make an appointment)
  • By post-dated cheque mailed to:
    • City of Vancouver, Engineering Services
      320 – 507 W Broadway
      Vancouver, BC  V5Z 0B4
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  Compile documents, create an account, and submit application

  Steps to applying for a permit

  1. Complete and gather:

  • A copy of your current business licence
  • Application fee (non-refundable)
  • Summer patio occupant load form PDF file (283 KB)
  • Liability Insurance Certificate PDF file (175 KB)
  • Summer patio tenant consent letter PDF file (164 KB) (when applicable)

  2. Create an online account
  3. Once activated, log in
  4. Select ‘apply’

  Create an account and apply

  Approvals

  Multiple departments will assess each application to make sure it meets our requirements (such as washroom facilities, accessibility, sidewalk clearance for pedestrians, etc.). Engineering Services will coordinate these approvals.

  Important note If your business is located in a historical district, such as Chinatown, Gastown, or Yaletown, our Planning Department will also review your patio permit application. 

  Important note Approvals can take several weeks to complete.