Operators who require changes to their curb lane design should:
All CaféTO curb lane cafés require the installation of a temporary accessible platform. As a returning curb lane café operator, you should already have your temporary accessible platform. However, some operators with identified discrepancies or changes in their platform design will have to resubmit their temporary platform package.
Requirements for the temporary platform design can be found in the 2025 Curb Lane Cafe Guidebook .
CaféTO Curb Lane Café Guidebook
City staff will communicate the date they close the curb lane by installing safety and traffic equipment for your café permit space. Temporary platforms are only permitted to be installed during the café season and must be removed before your scheduled curb lane café removal date. You are responsible for the disassembly, removal and storage of your platform, at your own cost, in the event of planned or emergency capital or utility work, as directed by the General Manager of Transportation Services, or their delegate.
This fee is not charged when a permit is renewed.
In 2025, a one-time (non-refundable) transfer fee of $676.27 +HST is charged each time a permit is transferred to another operator. For a permit transfer to be approved, it must meet the requirements set out in the Chapter 742. For more information and to initiate the permit transfer, contact City staff.
Seasonal permit fees for curb lane cafés are charged annually based on the size (square metres) of a café for an entire season. In 2025, the seasonal permit fees are $132.42 +HST per square metre (m²). The square metres of your café are located on the top right side of your 2024 permit. Your curb lane café size (m²) is calculated by multiplying the proposed length of the curb lane café space by the width of the curb lane café space.
All operators must submit a Certificate of Insurance issued by your insurer for $2,000,000.00 General Liability with the City listed as additional insured, including a cross-liability and or/severability of interest clause. The Name of the Insured must match the Legal Name on your Municipal Business Licence.
The application portals are closed.
Temporary platform design submissions are due by April 15.
Approval and completion of all submissions.
Installations are 90 per cent completed by the Victoria Day long weekend.
Temporary platforms must be installed by June 1 for the duration of the café season.
Operators must remove curb lane café patios and platforms before the scheduled removal date.
Regulation 746/21 of to the Liquor Licence and Control Act to establish new options for approving temporary outdoor physical extensions, which took effect January 1, 2023. The new framework replaces the temporary AGCO policy that was in place between 2020 and 2022 and allows the City to approve temporary outdoor physical extensions if the establishment has an existing permanent liquor sales licence and the extended licensed area is adjacent 10 metres or less to the existing licensed establishment.
Permit holders must notify the AGCO of your approval, the duration of your approval and any conditions on the approval.
It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulations as well as adhere to any conditions on their liquor sales licence. Restaurant and bar operators wishing to apply for permanent changes to liquor licences will still need to apply for approvals through the AGCO.
Learn about the New Framework for Temporary Outdoor Physical Extensions (Temporary Patios) at the AGCO.
Do you need additional assistance, or have a specific question that is not answered in an information session? You can book time with one of our business advisors to discuss your patio idea.
Additional resources are available through TABIA.
If your restaurant or bar is a part of a BIA, we recommend you connect with your BIA to discuss your application.