Temporary Outdoor Patio Program

Mark Lupton-Grenon
Business Development Officer
Call 905-546-2424 ext. 2323 or
Email [email protected]
As part of the City of Hamilton’s ongoing commitment to supporting economic recovery due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, on May 13, 2020, Hamilton City Council unanimously approved the creation of the Temporary Outdoor Patio Program (formerly Outdoor Dining Districts and merged with On-Street Patio Program). This program will allow eligible local businesses to establish temporary seasonal patios and seating areas on municipal or private property (if current zoning is compliant).
There is no application fee to submit an Temporary Outdoor Patio application, however depending on your requirements, additional applications and fees may be needed. Staff will work with you to share all requirements and help you through the process.
Temporary Outdoor Patios will be permitted in:
- Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)
- Community Improvement Plan Areas (CIPAs)
- Private Property (zoning compliant)
Apply for a Temporary Outdoor Patio
Temporary Outdoor Patios shall:
- be permitted within BIAs, certain municipal property and on private property
- be limited to cafes, restaurants and bars only
- comply with all applicable City of Hamilton By-laws
- adhere to all applicable public health requirements, including an COVID-19 related public health requirements as all as all Provincial Orders
- permit alcohol service or consumption of alcohol with Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and City of Hamilton approval
- provide proof of commercial general liability insurance ($5 million) coverage endorsed to include the City of Hamilton as additional insured
- be compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
- require 2/3 buy-in from all businesses on the affected block(s) through petition if not within a BIA
- require that the applicants be responsible for the management and operation of any approved Temporary Outdoor Patios, including ensuring that they are staffed at all times when open, to ensure proper use, cleaning and physical distancing
- be permitted until October 31, 2022. The applicant is responsible for removal of the patio and returning the space to its original form no later than 7 am on November 1.
Temporary Outdoor Patios shall NOT:
- have any negative impacts with respect to pedestrian safety, accessibility, emergency services, public transit, private accesses, etc.
- change the existing occupancy load of the food service location (as of February 23, 2022)
- permit smoking, pursuant to the Smoke-Free Act and ‘no smoking’ signage shall be posted at the entrance/exit
- permit outdoor food preparation (unless from licensed food trucks, street food vending or ice cream trucks permitted to operate)
- permit the construction of structures with any area greater than 10m2 or the use of tents greater than 60m2
- permit outside amplified music/sound without an approved Noise Exemption Application Permit
- permit obstruction of stormwater flows or block stormwater drains. The Applicant shall be responsible for clearance of any debris or snow and overall maintenance to ensure free flow of water
If within a BIA, you will need to submit BIA's Written Endorsement for the Temporary Outdoor Patio.
If not in a BIA, you will need to speak with neighbouring businesses and get 2/3 to sign off on the Temporary Outdoor Patio (the project team will provide more information).
If your dining establishment is on private property and you are a tenant (not a landlord or owner).
You must complete the Consent of the Owner or Landlord Form and submit as part of your application.
Prepare a detailed sketch or site map of the proposed Temporary Outdoor Patio.
- Sketches/maps on municipal property must include dimensions of the patio/dining area, location of entrances/exits from the building and from the patio/dining area, location of any fire department connection and municipal fire hydrant, type of barrier being used.
- Sketches on-street or pedestrian by-pass must be in accordance to SK-1 and SK-2 or Pedestrian Bypass SK-3. All on-street patios shall have a minimum of 4.5 metres clearance between the street centreline (on a street with a single lane in each direction) and the edge of the patio, if adjacent to a marked bike lane, the traffic clearance will be 0.25 metres from the edge of the bike lane.
Complete Municipal Property Application
Complete Private Property Application
Complete On-Street Structure Application
Once your application has been submitted, a member of our team will contact you within 2 business days to discuss further and identify next steps. Total approval time is 15 business days.