Temporary Outdoor Patios During COVID-19 Recovery

If you're a restaurant or bar operator, you can apply to expand outdoor patios as well as tents and awnings to offset indoor dining limitations because of COVID-19 restrictions in the City of St. Catharines. The recovery program will continue in 2021 to January 1, 2022.

Applying for a temporary patio

Please send a completed Application for Temporary Patio During COVID-19 to TemporaryPatios@stcatharines.ca and make sure to include a completed:

Temporary Outdoor Patio Site Plan and Checklist
Landowner's authorization for temporary patios on leased private properties
Certificate of Insurance for temporary patios on public property

Please review the guidelines and requirements on this page before submitting your application.

You'll need to determine the size, location, layout, and capacity of your proposed patio. We strive to review applications within one week. If your submission meets all requirements, we will issue your approval by email and it is considered effective on the date of approval. You must operate the patio in accordance with City approval, AGCO requirements, and Provincial guidelines.

Renewing and changing your approval

If we granted you a Temporary Patio Approval in 2020, you are eligible for renewal for the 2021 season. Renewals will expire January 1, 2022. You must confirm the site plan will remain the same.

We will renew your approval if you:

Have a valid business licence
Include authorization from the landowner if applicable
Ensure the Certificate of Insurance is valid if applicable
Have written authorization from any adjacent business the patio extends in front of

Making changes to the patio

If you'd like to make changes to an existing permitted patio, please contact us and send an updated site plan for review and update. If your patio extends in front of another business, you'll need their written acknowledgement and authorization.

Patios on City property

We are exploring the potential for patios to operate beyond expiry dates and will update with more information as soon as it is available.

Patios approved prior to COVID-19

Despite existing permits that have a removal date of October 31, patios may be on City property until January 1, 2021. if they meet all other permit requirements.

Winter weather

Because of the risk of damage from winter snow and ice, you may want to change your existing patio setup. For example, you can remove glass barriers and replace them with another barrier that is less likely to be damaged.

Patios approved with Temporary Approval due to COVID-19

Your permitted patio is permitted on City property until January 1, 2021, if it meets all other permit requirements.

Patios on private property

We conduct inspections to ensure compliance with our patio guidelines and requirements. If you're planning to make changes to your property, you may need to apply for a building permit.

Temporary outdoor patio guidelines and requirements

Your patio must follow all our patio guidelines and requirements. Make sure to review our guidelines for heaters, open air burning and cooking.

All temporary patios

Location

The patio must be adjacent to your operating business. We may permit extensions in front of neighbouring properties or units with the written consent of that neighbouring property owner.

Obstructions

No patio may obstruct a fire hydrant, fire route, fire department connection, or emergency exit nor pose any other safety risk.

Demarcation

The limits of the patio must be distinguishable. Boundaries include decorative fencing, panels, planters, rope, or other option that we deem suitable. Any perimeter barriers in a front yard or on a street may have up to a maximum height of 1.2 m (4 ft).

Curbside patio barriers

If a patio is adjacent to a traffic lane, drive aisle, or active parking area, a perimeter barrier will be provided with a minimum setback of 0.5 m.

Entrance points

A patio must have at least one opening with a minimum width of 1.1 m (3.5 ft). Gated entrances should open outwards from a patio without interfering with City sidewalks, accessible travel paths, or traffic lanes.

Accessibility

The patio area must be complaint with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards and cannot obstruct an accessible travel path. There must also be an accessible travel path from the patio to an accessible washroom.

Physical distancing

Tables and chairs must have a minimum 2 m distance between seating at separate tables in accordance with Provincial COVID-19 orders. This includes from tables on any neighbouring patios.

Capacity

A patio must have a total area equivalent to a minimum 1.1 m squared per patron in accordance with the AGCO.

Business licence

You must have a valid business license before we may grant approval for a temporary patio expansion.

Temporary patios on private property

Plantings and landscaping

While we encourage planters and baskets, any landscaping may not encroach into any traffic lane or accessible travel path.

Parking

If a patio is within any private parking area, there should be no staff or patrons crossing any roadways or vehicle spaces between the business and patio area.

Tenants

If the property is leased, you must get written permission from the landlord for a patio expansion.

Temporary patios on City sidewalk

Clearance

You must maintain an unobstructed pedestrian clearway of 2.4 m (8 ft) between the patio and any physical obstructions unless otherwise approved by the City.

Curbside patio barriers

If a proposed patio is next to a traffic lane, a perimeter barrier 1.06 m to 1.2 m in height will be provided with a minimum setback of 0.5 m from the curb. More physical barriers may be required to protect the patio space.

Construction

The patio's construction must be portable for easy removal. Perimeter fence posts must be free-standing. Removable plates may support fence posts if they do not extend beyond the perimeter of the fence and pose no trip hazards. You may not secure posts, signs and other features to City sidewalk by use of screws, nails, or other fasteners that pierce or damage the surface of the concrete.

Signage

You must limit signage to temporary menu displays at the patio entrance. They should not interfere with pedestrian movement. Do not affix signage to the patio perimeter fencing.

Agreement

You will be required to enter into an Agreement with the City before you are granted approval for a temporary patio expansion.

Temporary patios within public parking space

Location

The patio must be located on streets where there is existing on-street parking or surplus pavement width. The patio must be at least one parking space away from an intersection or driveway. You may not place a patio in front of a fire hydrant or in designated accessible parking spaces. Do not obstruct surface drainage or access to utilities.

Dimensions

Patio to be inset at least 0.5 m from outside edge of parking space.

Perimeter barriers

The patio platform must be enclosed on all sides facing the street or adjacent parking stalls. The barrier must be open-type construction and we may require more road safety measures.

Construction

The patio must have modular construction so that it can be easily installed and removed. It should be constructed of wood or composite decking. The platforms must be able to bear a load of at least 100 pounds per square foot. You may not secure posts, signs and other features to City sidewalk by use of screws, nails, or other fasteners that pierce or damage the surface of the concrete. The patio must not interrupt surface drainage along the gutter. You must have deck and/or ramp supports that provide for a minimum separation of 0.45 m from the curb face.

Agreement

You will be required to enter into an Agreement with the City before you are granted approval for a temporary patio expansion.

Signage

You must limit signage to temporary menu displays at the patio entrance. They should not interfere with pedestrian movement. Do not affix signage to the patio perimeter fencing.