Seasonal Temporary Commercial Patio Program

Accessible Parking Spaces

If the patio is requested to be located within the accessible parking spaces for the business, the equivalent number of accessible spaces must be established elsewhere on the site in as close proximity to the principle entrance as possible.

Parking

If an STCPatio is within any private parking area, there are to be no staff or patrons crossing any roadways or vehicles spaces between the business and patio area.

Plantings and Landscaping

Landscaping may not encroach into any traffic lane or accessible travel path.

Clearance

The applicant must maintain an unobstructed pedestrian clearway of 2m (6.56ft) between the patio and any physical obstructions unless otherwise approved by the City of St. Catharines.

Construction

The patio must have modular construction so that it can be easily installed and removed.

Posts, signs and other features may not be secured to City sidewalk by use of screws, nails, or other fasteners that pierce or damage the surface of the concrete.

The designer shall utilize only high quality, durable and attractive materials, which will substantially enhance the quality and attractiveness of the street.

Curbside Patio Barriers

If a patio is adjacent to a traffic lane, drive aisle or active parking area, a solid perimeter barrier made of wood, metal, composite or other similar material must be used with a minimum setback of 0.5m. Additional physical or safety barriers may also be required to protect the patio space.

Insurance

If the STCPatio is located on municipal property, the operator must provide and maintain evidence of at least $5 million in comprehensive liability insurance for property damage, personal injury and public liability on the lands, naming the Corporation of the City of St. Catharines.

Signage

Applicants and establishment operators must limit signage to temporary menu displace at the patio entrance (inside the patio area). These cannot interfere with pedestrian movement.

Agreement

Applicants will be required to enter into a counter-signed Legal Agreement with the City of St. Catharines before approval is granted for a temporary patio extension.

Insurance

If the STCPatio is located on municipal property, the operator must provide and maintain evidence of at least $5 million in comprehensive liability insurance for property damage, personal injury and public liability on the lands, naming the Corporation of the City of St. Catharines.

Location

The patio must be located on streets where there is existing on-street parking or surplus pavement width. In special circumstances, interruptions to a live lane of traffic may be considered by City of St. Catharines Staff. The STCPatio must be at least one parking space away from an intersection or driveway. Applicants and establishment operators may not place an STCPatio in front of a fire hydrant, in accessible parking spaces or blocking access to any utilities.

Dimensions

An STCPatio must be inset at least 0.5 from the outside edge of a parking space or an adjacent live lane of traffic.

Perimeter Barriers

The STCPatio platform must be enclosed on all sides facing the street or adjacent parking stalls. The barrier must be open-type construction with additional road safety measures may be required at the discretion of the Director of Engineering, Facilities and Environmental Services, all costs of which are to be borne by the applicant.

Construction

The STCPatio must have modular construction so that it can be easily installed and removed. It should be constructed of wood, composite decking or steel, (or any combination of these materials).

Patios located on municipal roadways or in on-street parking spaces will be required to be constructed with a platform that should be flush with the sidewalk or curbside sidewalk patio as possible, while maintaining wheelchair access.

Platforms shall be designed and signed off by a licensed architect or engineer, who will confirm that the platform and fence are sturdy and will be able to withstand the anticipated lateral loads. This requirement applies to parking lane or patios on a municipal roadway only.

Posts, signs and other features may not be secured to City sidewalk by use of screws, nails, or other fasteners that pierce or damage the surface of the concrete, unless approved by Engineering, Facilities and Environmental Services staff at time of application review.

The platform shall be designed so as not to obstruct surface drainage and will include maintenance hatches to any catch basins or other services underneath the platform.

Patio Surface

Shall be the same elevation as the adjacent sidewalk.

Constructed of durable, easily maintained material such as wood or composite decking, concrete or interlocking pavers.

Outdoor carpeting is permitted.

Signage

Applicants and establishment operators must limit signage to temporary menu displace at the patio entrance (inside the patio area). These cannot interfere with pedestrian movement.

Agreement

Applicants will be required to enter into a counter-signed Legal Agreement with the City of St. Catharines before approval is granted for a temporary patio extension.