Bylaw enforcement - patio - cafe - boulevard marketing - on City or private property

Contact 311 to submit a service request for bylaw enforcement for patios, cafes (not CafeTO patios, refer to the link under related information) or boulevard marketing on City or private property.

Sidewalk Cafes have a variety of locations and configurations.


    Patios on private property

    Outdoor patios associated with bars, restaurants and cafes are often located on private property. You do not need permission from the City if you can accommodate a patio for your establishment entirely on private property and meet the regulations of the zoning by-law.

    Outdoor patios on private property are regulated by the City's Zoning by-laws 569-2013

    Zoning permissions for outdoor patios can vary depending on the zone and unique circumstances of a property for which the zoning by-law is enforced. In most cases, your patio will need to meet the following rules:

     
    • Size
    • Setback
    • Parking
    • Entertainment ( an outdoor patio may not provide entertainment such as performances, music or dancing)
    • Fence


    Lean how to expand, or create a patio on private property

     

    Regulations for Sidewalk Cafés - winter months

    • Sidewalk Cafés on the frontage or flanking can be used over winter, but owners must clear the sidewalk of snow and sand and salt the sidewalk. Failure to do this can result in the permit being temporarily suspended.
    • All other café configurations (e.g. curbside café) not located adjacent to a building wall must be removed for the sidewalk from the period November 15 - April 14.


    Marketing Displays

     

    Sidewalk marketing displays are used to display and sell goods, food or merchandise outside a commercial or industrial premise. Goods in the display must be similar to those that are sold in the adjacent business.
     

    Seasonal Cafes 


    The end date for cafes within the roadway (curb lane cafes) is November 7, 2022. Sidewalk cafes that have a café permit or have registered for CafeTO can operate all year long. Please refer to Chapter 742-21 for the guidelines on seasonal cafes.