Large sidewalk patio permit

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  Overview of large sidewalk patio permits

  Permit types

  Requirements	Summer (simplified application)	Summer (regular application)	Year-round
  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)	Full review
  Permit term	April 1 – October 31 (Renewable every year)	April 1 – October 31 (Renewable every year)	April 1 - March 31
  Occupant load change	No increase or change	Permanent increase allowed	Permanent increase allowed
  Maximum number of patio seats	Shift up to 50% of interior seats to patio	Add seats and new maximum occupant load calculated	Add seats and new maximum occupant load calculated
  Decking	Not allowed	Under review Note Not currently accepting applications for decking	Allowed if criteria met
  Drawing requirements	Scaled, dimensioned drawing of patio	Scaled, dimensioned drawing of patio, including required interior drawings	Scaled, dimensioned drawing of patio, including required interior drawings If decking is proposed: engineer sealed drawings required.
  Additional documents	Current City business licence Summer Occupant Load Form Consent from neighbouring business (if patio will extend in front of neighbour)	Current City business licence	Current City business licence

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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 December 31, 2024. To make sure your business has approval to serve alcohol for the 2024 patio season, you're strongly encouraged to apply now to the LCRB External website, opens in new tab. 

  If you have 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 approved footprint as your 2023 summer patio if you plan to install the same patio in summer 2024.

  When approved, VFRS will stamp your patio drawing.

  Learn more and apply for an occupant load permit and/or stamped drawing 

  If you have a 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

Permit requirements

Important note If you are proposing a patio on both sides of the property line (City and private), you may also be required to have a building and/or development permit. Review the requirements for a patio on private property

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  Patio restrictions

  • Large sidewalk patios must include a railing to outline the patio area. This helps to maintain the sidewalk clearances and is a condition 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/or liquor licence.
  • Businesses must not enclose the patio with walls, roofs, windows, or barriers other than the required railing.
  • 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
    • Important note Altering softscape into hardscape is not permitted.
  • 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 patio must be adjacent to the applicant's storefront (front or side) and maintain adequate sidewalk clearances for pedestrians.  

  Business licence holders eligible for large sidewalk 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, such as a restaurant or a place of gathering. 

  Summer (simplified application) patio permit

  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. 

  Note As part of this application, a summer patio occupant load form must be submitted. 

  Summer (regular application) patio permit

  Restaurants can permanently increase their occupant load (for example add patio seats). A new maximum occupant load will be calculated.

  Apply to transfer occupant seating to patio

  Important note To transfer seating to your patio, you must submit a completed summer patio occupant load form.

  1. Download the summer patio occupant load form PDF file (208 KB)
  2. Complete the form
  3. Submit the form with your application

  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 large sidewalk 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.  

  • The patio must be directly against the building and not extend beyond the business’ own storefront. 
  • The patio area must be outlined by railing or planters.
    • 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 maintains a level of interaction between patio patrons and pedestrians without impacting sightlines or creating a trip hazard.
    • Bollards and chain fencing are not permitted as they may present a hazard to pedestrians with visual impairments.
  • The use of well-maintained plants is encouraged within the defined area.
    • If planters are used to partition spaces 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.
  • A minimum of 2.4 metres of clearance is required from the proposed patio area to the utility strip or to the nearest sidewalk obstruction (such as trees, bike racks, parking meter posts, sign posts, utility pole, benches, bus shelters, etc.).
  • In areas with high volumes of pedestrians, such as intersections on busy commercial streets or public plazas, we may require additional clearance.
    • Measurements are to be taken from the outside edge of the patio railing to the nearest obstruction, or to the curb if there is no obstruction. 
  • Patios located on wide sidewalks must ensure the patio does not occupy more than 50% of the sidewalk.
  • A minimum of 0.5 metres of clearance is required from the patio to a fire department connection and any utility access points. Contact us to make sure it is compliant with fire regulations if you have a fire department connection near your patio.
  • 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.
  • Hardwired, solar, or battery powered lighting is allowed within large sidewalk patios.
    • Hardwired lighting requires an additional permit. Apply for the permit.

  Restrictions

  • The patio must not block visibility or access to fire department connections, sewer connections, maintenance hole covers, or other utilities. 
  • Advertising and signage is not permitted on/attached to the railings of your patio. 
  • Any alterations to the City’s boulevard, sidewalk, or curb is prohibited.
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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 at least one of your liquor serving patios. 
    • The patio furniture must include at least one table for persons with reduced mobility. 
  • Patio must have an accessible serving aisle of 1.1 metres.
  • 2.4 metres of sidewalk clearance is required to support access for those with mobility impairments and wheelchair users.  
  • The pedestrian sidewalk clearance must be a clear and direct path.
    • Pedestrians should not have to walk around the patio or other obstructions such as sandwich boards or queuing stanchions.

  Important note We are currently conducting a design and fee review. As part of the review, we are seeking 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 and awnings

  • An awning requires an additional permit. 
  • Umbrellas:
    • Can only have a single post
    • Cannot be attached to the patio railing
    • Cannot extend beyond the patio footprint into the sidewalk

  Winter protection

  Weather protection walls/curtains must be:

  • Flame-resistant
  • Transparent
  • Hung over the short ends of the patio, leaving the long side open

  Important note Only permitted during the winter (November 1 - March 31).

  Heaters

  Heaters allowed on large sidewalk patios

  • Portable, including propane heaters
  • Hardwired electric (requires an additional permit). Apply for an electrical permit
  • Plumbed gas (requires an additional permit). Apply for a gas permit

  Additional requirements

  • Heaters under or near umbrellas are NOT permitted.
  • Heaters must be at least 160 centimetres (65 inches) tall and installed following manufacturer’s requirements.
  • Portable heaters must be brought inside daily at close of business, and propane tanks must be caged and locked in a vented structure outside on private property in compliance with the BC Gas Safety Regulation.

  Restrictions

  Tents are not permitted.

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  Serving alcohol

  Businesses are permitted to serve alcohol on large sidewalk 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

  Important note We are not accepting applications with decking for 2024 summer patios. Decking is currently under review as part of the patio program review.

  Decking may be approved for year-round patio permit if there is a need to:

  • Level a steep incline of more than 5%, AND/OR
  • Harmonize indoor and outdoor seating levels 

  Requirements

  • Decking requires design drawings and Schedule B sealed by a structural engineer.
  • No drilling or anchoring of decking into street or sidewalk.

  Important note 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 an additional 1.5 metres in all directions or to the extent of the curb.

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  Design drawings

  Summer 2024 patios

  When a drawing is required

  A simple to-scale dimensioned drawing is required if you are applying for a summer (simplified application) patio permit for a new patio or are proposing to make changes to a previously approved patio.

  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
  • Can be done on computer or by hand – as long as they are accurate, to scale, and have dimensions and labeling

  When a drawing is not required

  You don't need to submit drawing if you held a 2023 summer patio permit and are not proposing to make changes to your patio for summer 2024.

  Year-round and 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 inchesx17 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
  • Proposed decks are applicable only if: 
    • It’s for a year-round patio permit term
    • There is a need to level a steep incline of more than 5%, OR 
    • To harmonize indoor and outdoor seating levels
  • All deck structures above the ground require design drawings signed and sealed by a structural engineer
    • Review Schedule B sealed by a structural engineer. Schedule B “ASSURANCE OF PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AND COMMITMENT FOR FIELD REVIEW” of the Vancouver Building By-law 
  • Complete interior drawings plus any additional approved patio spaces
    • Washrooms must be clearly defined 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 

  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 in case of year round patio program applications.

  Important note 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 large sidewalk patio permit

Review the requirements and apply.

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  Review and pay fees

  Important note Summer patio applicants who apply for a permanent 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  (non-refundable)	Summer rate per m² (April 1 – October 31)	Year-round rate per m² (April 1 - March 31)
  Downtown - West of Main, North of False Creek	$252.30	$100.84/ m² + GST	$172.60/ m² + GST
  Outside of downtown	$252.30	$71.45/ m² + GST	$122.42 m² + GST

  Important note Fees are subject to changes annually.

  How to pay fees

  Pay fees:

  • Online
  • By appointment in person (Email patios@vancouver.ca to make an appointment)
  • By 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 (656 KB)
  • Liability Insurance Certificate PDF file (175 KB)
  • Summer patio tenant consent letter PDF file (652 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 The approvals can take several weeks to complete.

  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. 

  If the patio straddles both City and private property, you will be required to have a: 

  • Sidewalk patio (large) permit through Engineering Services
  • Development and/or building permit through Planning and Development Services