Sidewalk Café Permit

Sidewalk Café applications are temporarily paused. Learn about the CaféTO program.

Sidewalk cafés, formerly known as boulevard cafés, are outdoor eating areas located on sidewalks where food or drinks is served to the public by a licensed eating or drinking establishment.

Frontage Café
Frontage Café

Frontage Café

A sidewalk café that is located immediately adjacent to the frontage wall of the associated establishment.

Image of a curbside café. In this configuration, the outdoor seating is located on a raised platform placed in the roadway. The platform is level with the curb so that the outdoor seating is accessible from the sidewalk.
Curbside Café

Curbside Café

A café that is located close to the curb. Pedestrians walk between the café and the building frontage. Wait staff cross the pedestrian clearway to deliver food and beverages to the café.

Image of a parklet café. In this configuration, the outdoor seating is located on a raised platform placed in the roadway. The platform is level with the curb so that the outdoor seating is accessible from the sidewalk.
Parklet Café

Parklet Café

A café that is located in the parking lane of a street upon a platform that is constructed to make the café level with and accessible from the sidewalk.

Individuals, partnerships or corporations.

Review the regulations in the new bylaw for sidewalk cafés.

Download the application guide to review the requirements for your permit.

Identification Requirements

One piece of valid government issued identification is required for an officer or signing authority (for corporations), who appears on the Primary Business Licence.

Site Plan of Proposed Sidewalk Café

All applications must include:

  • Three copies of a professionally drawn site plan showing all dimensions of the proposed sidewalk café.
  • Measured distances between the proposed sidewalk café, the location of the street and face of the curb. Side property lines, fire hydrants, trees, and other permanent objects on the street must be included.

Note:

  • All measurements must be in metric.

Awning Documents

Submit the following with your application if the proposed sidewalk café will have an awning:

  • Certificate of Fireproof rating
  • Mechanical specifications of the awning
  • The awning checklist included in the application package.

Photos

All applications must include:

  • Three photos of the sidewalk cafe; one from the front and one from each side.
  • Photos of any awnings.

Certificate of Insurance

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 sent by email to MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca directly from the Insurance Representative

Please note the Submission of Sidewalk Café applications has been temporarily paused until further notice.

The Licence and Permit Issuing Office at the East York Civic Centre is closed due to COVID-19. Businesses requiring a Sidewalk Café permit from the City of Toronto can email mlsroadallowance@toronto.ca for information only.

Fee Zones

There are two permit fee zones:

  • Central Zone: the downtown area as defined in this map. The boundaries 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.
  • Outer Zone: the remaining area outside of the central zone.

Permit Fees

Fee Zone Sidewalk Café ($/m2)
Central Zone $99.79
Outer Zone $49.88

Permit Fees for Parklet Cafés

  • Central Zone: $1,235.09/ month
  • Outer Zone: $771.79/month

Application Fees

  • Sidewalk café application fee is $977.45.
  • Permit transfer fee: $764.19
  • There are no application or permit fees for small frontage cafés, which are no more than 0.8m x 5.5m.

Applications take six to eight weeks to process. Staff will contact you via email or hard copy letter with instructions once your application has been approved.

Your permit will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the permit was first issued.

The renewal fee will be calculated based on a variety of factors, including where your patio will be located.

A renewal notice, identifying any documents required to renew the permit, will be mailed to the address on file.

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. The Certificate must be sent by email to MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca directly from the Insurance Representative.

If you fail to renew your permit according to the bylaw, your permit will be cancelled and you will have to reapply. Find your outstanding business licence or permit renewal invoice.