Get a patio permit for a restaurant or cafe

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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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  Summer permit renewal (2023) 

  Renew your summer patio permit if you:

  • Had a summer patio permit in 2022
  • Are installing the same patio for the 2023 season
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  Summer (simplified application)

  • Available for curbside and large sidewalk patios.
  • Term: April 1 – October 31

  Design limitations

  The summer (simplified application) patio permit offers a faster review but has some design limitations (for example, no increase to seating or occupant load and no decking). Apply for a new 2023 summer (simplified application) patio permit

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  Summer (regular application)

  • Available for curbside and large sidewalk patios.
  • Term: April 1 – October 31

  Requirements

  The summer (regular application) patio permit requires a full review but allows for an increase in seating and occupant load and offers more flexible design options, such as decking. 

  To increase seating and occupant load or change the design of your patio for the 2023 summer patio season, apply for a summer (regular application) patio permit. 

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  Year-round

  • Available for small sidewalk and large sidewalk patios. 
  • Large sidewalk patio term: April 1 – March 31
  • Small sidewalk patio term: May 1 – April 30

  Requirements

  The year-round patio permit requires a full review but allows for an increase in seating and occupant load and offers more flexible design options such as decking. 
   

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  Year-round curbside patio (1 year trial for curbside patios only)

  • Available for curbside patios only.
  • Term: November 1, 2022 - October 31, 2023 (one-year trial)

  Year-round trial

  Curbside patios that already have a 2022 summer patio permit may be eligible to remain in place for winter 2022/2023 as part of a year-round curbside trial permit.  

  • Permit fees apply for the trial permit.
  • No changes to existing footprint or occupant load of the patio.

  Important note To keep your existing summer curbside patio in place over the winter, email street.activities@vancouver.ca to discuss eligibility.  

History of the patio programs

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  Timeline of updates

  2021

  • September 22, 2021 – Council approved the addition of curbside patios to the patio program. Staff are directed to conduct a review of guidelines and fees for all annual patio permits in 2022. 
  • May 2021 – Council waives fees for all Annual Patio Program permit holders for 2021 ($1.2 million). 

  2020

  • October 20, 2020 – Council waives fees for temporary patios until October 31, 2021.
  • September 16, 2020 - Council directs staff to build on the innovation of the Temporary Expedited Patio Program and establish an annual summer patio program.
  • June 1, 2020 – The Temporary Expedited Patio Program launches and permits are available to businesses for free.
  • May 12, 2020 - Council directs staff to develop a faster online application process for temporary patios so that restaurants can provide service outdoors.  
  • March 20, 2020 – Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants are restricted from offering table service, only takeout or delivery are allowed. 
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  Consultation and engagement

  Staff plan to conduct a design and fee review in 2022. As part of the review, staff will seek feedback from stakeholders on how to enhance the patio programs’:

  • Accessibility
  • Safety
  • Design and balance of public and private uses

  Important note More information on this review will be reported to Council and shared on this page.