Sidewalk Café Permit

Frontage Cafés

Sidewalk cafés that are located immediately adjacent to the front wall of the associated establishment.

Frontage Cafés on Local Streets (Flankage Cafés)

Some sidewalk cafés may be located on designated local roads (i.e. residential roads). These may either be on the front (frontage) of a business located on a local street or on the side (flankage) of a corner unit.

Curbside Cafés

Cafés that are located along the curb between the sidewalk and the road. Pedestrians walk between these cafés and the building frontage. Wait staff cross the pedestrian clearway to deliver food and beverages to these cafés.

Curb Lane Café

A type of sidewalk café that is a temporary lateral projection into the curb lane or parking lane of a street. Learn more about applying for a curb lane café.

Individuals, partnerships or corporations with a valid municipal business licence where food and drinks are served can apply for a sidewalk café permit.

Prior to submitting an application, please review the Sidewalk Café Application Guide which includes details on the bylaw requirements for sidewalk cafés. Please note, all measurements must be in metric.

Please submit a complete application as applications will not be processed unless all the required documents are provided.

All applications must include:

• A completed and signed Sidewalk Café Permit Application Form
• One piece of valid government issued identification for an officer or signing authority (for corporations), who appears on the Primary Business Licence
• Proof of at least $2,000,000 of comprehensive insurance against loss or damage resulting from bodily injury to or death of one or more persons, or from loss of or damage to property resulting from any one accident
  • The completed Certificate of Insurance must be signed and stamped by the insurer
  • The Certificate must be filled out by the Insurance Representative and may be sent through email directly from the Insurance Representative OR by the client through the online portal here.
• Three photos of the location; one from the front and the others from each side of the sidewalk (see page 7 of application guide for photo requirements)
• A copy of your site plan drawing, in accordance with the requirements set out in the application guide (see page 6 and 7 of the application guide for sample drawing and requirements)
• A copy of your fencing (or planters) drawing (see page 9 and 10 of the application guide for sample drawing and requirements)

Additional supplementary materials may also be required as below.

Awnings

An awning is a removable or retractable unenclosed temporary structure attached to the building wall that covers a café area. Please check with Toronto Building if your installation requires a building permit.

If you are applying for an awning for your front or side café (awnings are not permitted for curbside cafés), submit:

• Detailed drawings of the awning location, design dimensions and mechanical specifications for its framing, mounting and materials (see application guide for measurements and drawing)
• A certificate indicating the Fire Proof Rating of fabric/materials
• Applicable permit approvals from the Chief Building Official, Heritage Preservation Services (if your building is on the Heritage Register)

Heater(s)

A patio heater is an outdoor heating appliance that is used to generate thermal radiation.

Portable Propane

If you are requesting the use of Heater(s) – Propane for your Sidewalk Café, please submit a declaration with your application and ensure the portable propane heater is:

1. installed and operated in conformity with the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications, including clearance from combustibles and secured to the permit area utilizing the manufacturer’s listed parts;
2. in compliance with the requirements as set out in Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 Ontario Regulation 211/01 Propane Storage and Handling or any successor regulation;

Once approved, this is added as an Endorsement to the Sidewalk Cafe permit.

Radiant

If you are requesting the use of Radiant Heater(s) for your Sidewalk Café, please submit the following documents with your application that ensure the portable propane heater is:

Heater – Radiant

1. the permit holder has submitted an application site plan to the Executive Director showing the location and specifications of the proposed radiant heating unit; and
2. the permit holder has provided evidence that the radiant heater is:
   1. certified for outdoor use;
   2. certified by and installed according to guidelines of the Standards Council of Canada;
   3. installed in accordance with the location and specifications of the site plan approved by the Executive Director;
   4. installed and operated in conformity with the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications, including clearance from combustible materials; and
   5. inspected by a representative of the energy provider and a copy of the inspection certification must be provided to the Executive Director.

Lighting

If you are requesting the use of Lighting within the Café area (frontage at the building wall only), please submit a declaration with your application.

Once approved, this is added as an Endorsement to the Sidewalk Café permit.

Cafés on local roads

If you are operating a café on a local road, a visual screen is required to screen your café from the residential properties. You must submit a copy of your visual screen drawing with your application.

Alteration of area or building

If the proposed café area needs to be paved, landscaped or physically altered, an application must be submitted for a Landscape Construction Permit.

If you are making changes/alterations to the building to accommodate the café installation, submit your approved Building Permit from the Buildings Division.

Expanding in front of neighbouring property

If you are expanding a sidewalk café in front of the neighbouring property, please submit a letter of approval from the property owner or tenant.

Applications need to be submitted online. You cannot apply for this licence/permit in-person.

You can submit application documents and complete payment in one convenient online system.

Please submit a complete application as applications will not be processed unless all the required documents are provided.

Apply online

Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the application, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to submit a new application.

Submit Application

If you have already submitted an application you may upload additional documents using your upload token.

Upload Documents for Existing Request

Apply in-person

In-person services are available at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor.
You must bring hard copies of all application requirements. Applications will not be started unless all requirements are provided. Digital copies of documents will not be accepted.

Payment can only be made by debit, credit or cheque. Cash will not be accepted.

Walk-in Services

Walk-in services are available once a week.
Please contact MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca for the next weekday availability.

Please note office hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-4:00pm.
The office is closed from 12:30–1:30pm daily.

Appointments

Appointment services are available. Please contact MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca.
Please arrive 10-15 mins early to check in and be on time for your appointment or you may be turned away and asked to re-book for another day and time, subject to availability.

Application fees

The fees for sidewalk cafes, which were waived by Council between 2020 and 2022 to support the industry, will be phased in over three years with the full amount to be charged in 2025.

• One-time application fee: $977.45 per application
• Effective January 1, 2025 the square metre area permit fee is $44.14 + HST/sq m.

There are no application or permit fees for small frontage cafés, which are no more than 0.8m x 5.5m and must meet pedestrian clearway of 2.1 metres.

Permit transfer fees

Existing permit holders that want to transfer their permit must let potential new applicants (e.g., potential buyers or new permit holders) know that this may result in a reduced size for the permit area to meet the City’s bylaws.

For a permit transfer to be approved, it must meet the requirements set out in the application guide. For more information on permit transfers, please contact MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca.

The permit transfer fee is $397.38.

Processing time depends on the number of applications received and is typically between six to eight weeks. If there is incorrect or insufficient information in your submitted documents, this may extend the processing timeline.

An application will be refused if:

• the application contains false, misleading or fraudulent information
• the bylaw requirements are not met or
• approvals are not received from the required City divisions or agencies such as Toronto Building, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Transit Commission, Heritage Preservation Services, and utility providers

Prior to approval, the applicant will need to sign a permit agreement and indemnify the City. Your submitted Certificate of Insurance must be valid at the time of permit approval.

Successful applicants will receive a copy of the signed agreement, copy of the approved site plan and a permanent sidewalk café permit.

Conditions that are attached to permits issued before September 1, 2019 will continue to apply. Permit holders must also comply with the following requirements.

• All permit holders need to display their permit clearly in the front window or door.
• Sidewalk café permit area cannot be used for storage of any café elements, such as tables and chairs, when it is not in operation.
• Sidewalk cafés on the frontage or flankage 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 directly adjacent to a building wall must be removed from the sidewalk from the period November 15 – April 14.

Pedestrian clearance

• Pedestrian clearway requirements includes a minimum 1.8 metres for local roads, 2.1 metres for arterial and collector roads, and 2.5 metres on specified Downtown Toronto streets. The boundaries of the specified Downtown Toronto area are Bathurst Street to the west, the Dupont rail corridor to the north, Rosedale Valley to the north-east and Don River to the east.
• Applicants can search the Road Classification System to identify the road type and minimum pedestrian clearance requirements that apply.

Your permit will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the permit was first issued. A renewal notice, identifying any documents required to renew the permit, will be mailed to the address on file.

Existing licensees must renew their licences online. You must continue to provide proof of $2,000,000 in Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. The completed Certificate of Insurance must be signed and stamped by the insurer.

Existing licensees must renew their licences online. Download a step by step guide on how to renew a licence or permit.

Renew Permit

Small Frontage Cafés

Small frontage cafés are allowed without a permit. There are no associated fees with these small cafes, however they must confirm to the following conditions:

• Only permitted where the minimum pedestrian clearway can be provided
• Maximum dimension of 0.8m from the building wall x 5.5m wide
• No fencing is permitted
• Must be removed from the sidewalk at the end of each business day
• A-frame signs on the sidewalk are not allowed if the width of the establishment is less than six metres