Summer sidewalk patios

Sidewalk patios locations

• Sidewalk patios can be located on public sidewalks in front of 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 front or to the 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 learn more and 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 a sidewalk patio if you obtain approval from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) External website, opens in new tab.

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

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 one 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

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 about serving liquor in Step 6

Design conditions

• The patio must be directly against the building and cannot extend beyond the business’ own storefront, except with consent from their neighbour.
• 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 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.
• Railing must not be anchored or affixed to the City sidewalk.  

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.
• 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. Contact 3-1-1 to inquire.

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

A. Gather and complete the required documents

• Copy of your current year’s business license
• Plan view drawing of your sidewalk patio and the site conditions
• Summer Patio Occupant Load Form PDF file (155 KB)
• Consent from neighbour(s) (if necessary): If you are proposing a patio that extends beyond your business’ frontage and into your neighbour’s frontage, you must provide us with 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 will be 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. 

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

We will review for clearances for sidewalks, fire department connection, in-ground utilities, 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, which can be paid:  

• 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 

Step 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. 

A. Build your patio following the approved drawing

The permit for your summer sidewalk 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.

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 sidewalk. Alterations or changes to public property are prohibited.​
• The patio and all its features must be fully contained within the approved patio​ footprint and dimensions.​
• Any changes or alterations to an approved patio footprint or structure require City review and approval.​
• 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. 
• Permit holders must fully remove their summer sidewalk patio by November 1 each year when the permit expires, and are responsible for restoring the public property to its original condition. 

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. 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 your 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.

A. Log in to your online account

B. Provide insurance 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.

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.