Public space and street use

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update: pop-up plazas

June 11, 2020: We’re creating temporary pop-up plazas to help businesses reopen and give residents more public space to enjoy in their communities.

Get pop-up plaza details and give us feedback

Find out what's happening, learn about our programs, and get involved.

Public plazas and gathering spaces play a vital role in public life.

They're places for celebrations and protests, community events, and neighbourly interaction. They benefit local business and enhance social well-being.

As our city continues to densify, these spaces become the outdoor living rooms for everyday activities, make our city more interesting and exciting, and help create a sense of identity and place.

Events around your city

View calendar

VIVA Vancouver

VIVA Vancouver is the City of Vancouver’s public space innovation platform.

Plazas and public space programs

We’re working to create better plazas and gathering spaces throughout the city.

Busking and entertainment

Find out what is required to busk in Vancouver streets.

Make an outdoor mural

Interested in creating a mural in your community? Apply for paint supplies and support for your outdoor mural.

Plaza stewardship

Public spaces have an important role in neighbourhood livability and community connections.

Beautifying your boulevard and street

We run programs that allow residents to volunteer to tend to street gardens in traffic calming spaces.

Sidewalk fixtures and amenities

View a map of public washrooms. Request a new sidewalk bench, bike rack, or waste bin.

Sidewalk activities

There are a number of opportunities for kiosks, carts, and other retail businesses on City sidewalks.

Advertising on City property

Information about advertising and promoting your organization or business on City of Vancouver property.

Business licences and permits

Apply for and get requirements about licences and permits for business, film, special events, and advertising.

Political and religious expression

Council encourages religious groups to pass on their message on City streets, by providing them with a free permit.

Reserve parking spaces and parking meters

Temporary special zone permits reserve parking spaces and parking meters for your construction work, moving trucks, special deliveries, or service work.

Related projects and plans

Culture|Shift

Our culture plan for 2020-2029 includes the priority actions, including Making Space for Arts and Culture and the Vancouver Music Strategy.

Downtown: Places for People

We want your ideas on how to support exceptional, vibrant, and memorable experiences in downtown Vancouver.

Greenest City Action Plan

Greenest City is a bold initiative that addresses Vancouver's environmental challenges.

Healthy City Strategy

The Healthy City Strategy a long-term, integrated plan for healthier people, places, and planet.

Improving parks and recreation

We are continually working to improve parks, trails, and recreation facilities. Explore our ongoing projects.

Transportation 2040 Plan

Our plan provides a vision for how people and goods move in and around Vancouver for the next 30 years.

Vancouver Music Strategy

The Vancouver Music Strategy embraces our city's vibrant music scene and aims to support music and musicians working and living here.