Summer curbside patios

Key features

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  Eligibility

  Curbside patio locations

  Curbside patios are on public property in the curb lane, including on-street parking and in some cases, plazas. Bus stops, no-stopping zones, and parking spaces with rush hour regulations are not eligible for curbside patios.

  Your curbside patio must be in the front of and/or to the side of your business. If you would like to extend your patio beyond your property lines, this will require a consent letter from your neighbours.

  Businesses must receive a permit from the City before installing the patio. 

  Contact us if you are unsure if a curbside patio can be supported in the space in front or to the side of your business. 

  Who can have a curbside patio

  • Food and beverage-serving businesses with a valid business license are eligible to apply for curbside patios. 
  • Eligible businesses must be on the ground-floor (street level).  
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  Permit term

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

  Summer curbside patios must be removed no later than November 1 every year when the permit expires. Businesses are responsible for restoring public property to its original condition.

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  Occupant load and patio seats

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

  Simplified process for patio seats

  You may transfer up to 50% of your indoor seating to your curbside patio.

  Information icon Total occupant load for your business must remain the same.

  You may also be eligible to increase your overall occupant load. If you:

  • Have 1 existing washroom for customers, 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 for customers, the number of seats you may add to your outdoor patio will be determined by your patio footprint and accessibility requirements
  • Have no existing washrooms for customers, 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

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  Serving liquor

  Businesses are permitted to serve liquor on curbside 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 on serving liquor on your patio in Step 6

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  Traffic safety measures

  Traffic safety measures are installed by the City to protect patio users, drivers, and cyclists. Traffic safety measures include concrete barriers, wheel stops and bollards, and object markers.

  We review each location each year to determine the correct placement of traffic safety measures. It is important to install your patio according to the approved drawing.

Apply for a new summer curbside patio permit

We are currently accepting applications for summer curbside patios only. We are not accepting new applications for year-round curbside patios.

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  Step 1: Determine what you can build

  To ensure that your patio meets City requirements and clearances, review and follow the Summer Curbside Design Guidelines

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  Step 2: Review permit fees

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

  Location	Application fee (non-refundable)	Summer rate per m² (April 1 to October 31)	Year-round rate per m² (April 1 to March 31)
  Downtown - West of Main, North of False Creek	$279.47 + GST	$106.89/ m² + GST	$182.96/ m² + GST
  Outside of downtown	$279.47 + GST	$75.74/ m² + GST	$129.77/ m² + GST

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  Step 3: Submit an application (steps and required documents)

  A. Gather and complete the required documents

  • Copy of your current year’s business license
  • Plan view drawing of your curbside patio and the site conditions. Review a sample drawing PDF file (899 KB)
  • Summer Patio Occupant Load Form PDF file (127 KB)
  • Declaration Form A PDF file (408 KB)
  • Consent from neighbours (if necessary): If you are proposing a patio that extends in front of a neighbouring business, you must submit an Adjacent Tenant Consent Letter PDF file (105 KB), signed by that neighbouring business. 

  Learn more about licensing your patio for liquor service in Step 6

  B. Create online account, apply for your curbside patio, and pay the application fee

  Create your online account and upload the required documents. Once you pay your application fee, your application gets submitted. 

  How to pay application fees: 

  • 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.

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  Step 4: After you submit your application

  A. We review your proposed patio footprint for feasibility and safety 

  We will review your proposed patio location and footprint, including traffic safety, impacts to buses, and other potential conflicts or safety issues. This review will take about 4 weeks. 

  If your proposed patio location or footprint needs to be modified, or cannot be supported, we will contact you.

  B. Provide insurance documents

  When it is determined that the curbside 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 select “submit”. Staff will review your LIC for completion and accuracy. 

  C. Pay the permit fee

  Once your LIC is accepted, you will receive a payment request notification.  

  How to pay permit fees: 

  • 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. Permit issuance

  You will be notified by email from the online permitting system when the permit is issued. You will be able to access the permit through your online account.

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  Step 5: Responsibilities when you receive the permit

  A. Build your patio following the approved drawing 

  The permit for your summer curbside patio is issued with an approved drawing with detailed instructions. You must follow this approved drawing when building your patio.

  B. Notify us once your patio is built

  You must notify us when you have completed building your patio. We will inspect the patio to verify that it is installed in the appropriate location and is safe and accessible. If any accessibility and safety issues are identified, be prepared to resolve them as quickly as possible. 

  C. Receive a credit or refund 

  We will inspect your patio and verify that it meets the accessibility and design requirements as stated in Declaration Form A. Once the inspection is completed and all issues are resolved, we will contact you to issue a one-time permit fee credit or refund. 

  You are required to review and comply with the Terms and Conditions of the permit, including but not limited to: 

  • Patios can only be used for customer seating and service. Patios cannot be used for storage or outdoor cooking.
  • Live entertainment, broadcasting, and amplified sound including music and speech are not permitted on patios.
  • No part of the patio or accessories shall be anchored, bolted, or glued to the street or sidewalk. Alterations or changes to public property are prohibited.
  • The patio and all its features must be fully contained within the approved patio footprint.
  • Any changes or alterations to an approved patio footprint or structure require City review and approval.
  • Curbside patios must be designed so they can be removed within 24 hours notice, at the permit holder’s expense, to accommodate public works such as construction, utility maintenance, or sidewalk repair.
  • Permit holders must fully remove their summer curbside patio by November 1 each year, and are responsible for restoring the public property to its original condition.
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  Step 6: Serve liquor on your patio

  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 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 to Fire Prevention. Make sure you review all the requirements for this 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 with City of Vancouver Licencing. 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.

Renew your summer curbside patio permit

Renewal notices with instructions are sent by email on March 1 every year to existing permit holders.

Renewals are only available if you are not making any changes to the size of your patio’s footprint.

If you are making changes to the footprint, you may need to submit a new application. Email us at [email protected]. 

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  Step 1: Renew existing permit

  Summer curbside patios now have updated requirements for accessibility, safety, and other design features. Existing permit holders must meet the new accessibility and design requirements within 3 years. All summer curbside patios must be upgraded by the 2028 patio season.

  Your renewal steps will depend on whether or not you plan to make modifications to meet the new accessibility and design requirements this year. 

  If you are renewing your permit and:

  • Making modifications to meet the new accessibility and design requirements this year, review Step 2A
  • Not making modifications to meet the new accessibility and design requirements this year, review Step 2B
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  Step 2A: Renewal steps meeting new accessibility requirements this year

  A. Log in to your online account

  B. Provide us with required documents:

  Insurance

  When it is determined that the curbside 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 select “submit”. Staff will review your LIC for completion and accuracy.

  Declaration form

  Complete the Declaration Form A PDF file (296 KB) to confirm you are making modifications to meet the new accessibility and design requirements this year. Completion of this form demonstrates that you have reviewed and understood the Summer Curbside Patio Design Guidelines, and will be designing, building, and operating your curbside patio to meet all City requirements.  

  Consent form (if necessary)

  If you are renewing a patio that extends in front of a neighbouring business, you must provide us a new Adjacent Tenant Consent Letter PDF file (105 KB), signed by that neighbouring business. 

  Once completed, upload it to your online account and select “submit”. 

  If you are unable to obtain consent from your neighbour, email [email protected]. 

  Summer Patio Occupant Load Form  (if necessary)  

  If you are renewing a patio and would like to increase your overall occupant load, you must provide us a new Summer Patio Occupant Load Form PDF file (127 KB).

  Once completed, upload it to your online account and select “submit”. 

  Learn more about eligibility to increase your overall occupant load under occupant load and patio seats. 

  C. Pay permit fees 

  Once your required documents have been submitted, you will be prompted to pay the permit fee. 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 

  Information icon Payment is due before April 1 each year.

  D. Permit issuance

  The patio permit will be issued once required documents are accepted and the permit fee is paid.

  The permit for your summer curbside patio is issued with an approved drawing with detailed instructions. You must follow this approved drawing when building your patio.

  E. Notify us once your patio is built for inspection 

  You must notify us when you have completed building your patio. We will inspect the patio to verify that it is installed in the appropriate location and is safe and accessible. If any accessibility and safety issues are identified, be prepared to resolve them as quickly as possible. 

  F. Receive a credit or refund

  We will inspect your patio and verify that it meets the accessibility and design requirements as stated in Declaration Form A. Once the inspection is completed and all issues are resolved, we will contact you to issue a one-time permit fee credit or refund.

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  Step 2B: Renewal steps without meeting new accessibility requirements this year

  A. Log in to your online account

  B. Provide us with required documents

  Insurance  

  When it is determined that the curbside 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.  

  Declaration form

  Complete the Declaration Form B PDF file (218 KB) to confirm you are not making modifications to meet the new accessibility and design requirements this year.

  Consent form (if necessary)

  If you are renewing a patio that extends in front of a neighbouring business, you must submit a new Adjacent Tenant Consent Letter PDF file (105 KB), signed by that neighbouring business. 

  Once completed, upload it to your online account and select “submit”. 

  If you are unable to obtain consent from your neighbour, email [email protected].

  Summer Patio Occupant Load Form (if necessary)  

  If you are renewing a patio and would like to increase your overall occupant load, you must provide us a new Summer Patio Occupant Load Form PDF file (127 KB).

  Once completed, upload it to your online account and select “submit”. 

  Learn more about eligibility to increase your overall occupant load under occupant load and patio seats.

  C. Pay permit fees

  Once your required documents have been submitted, you will be prompted to pay the permit fee. 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 

  Information icon Payment is due before April 1 each year. 

  D. Permit issuance

  The patio permit will be issued when your required documents are accepted and your patio permit fee is paid. 

  You will be notified by email from the online permitting system when the permit is issued. You will be able to access the permit through your online account.