Today, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim was joined by local business leaders to announce updates to Vancouver’s Patio Program that will streamline applications, reduce costs for operators, and create a more vibrant and accessible patio culture citywide.
“Vancouverites love patios. They create welcoming spaces for people to gather, support local businesses, and help make our city more vibrant and connected,” said Sim. “We are creating a simpler, faster, and more predictable patio process that supports businesses of all size.”
These updates include eliminating engineered drawings for simple patio designs, expanding eligibility so more businesses can participate, introducing a new basic low-cost design template, and offering more flexible options for weather protection and design features. Patio fees for storefront seating have also been eliminated.
Councillor Mike Klassen, Chair of the Vancouver Business Growth Task Force, introduced an amendment, shaped directly by business community feedback, that strengthens the City’s patio program by directing staff to develop a fully coordinated patio permitting framework.
“Businesses have been clear that the system needed to be simpler and easier to navigate,” said Councillor Mike Klassen. “By modernizing the framework and removing barriers, we are supporting entrepreneurship and helping patios remain an important part of Vancouver’s culture.”
Staff will report back to Council in January 2026 with the full framework, implementation plan, and recommendations on which existing patio pilots should become permanent. The coordinated framework would include a single set of guidelines, a unified timeline, consistent design requirements, and one point of contact for businesses.
The program also includes new accessibility requirements for curbside patios, including an accessible seat, a clear path of travel, and accessible entry points. Existing patios will have up to three years to upgrade and will receive a one-time 100% reimbursement of their patio permit fee once accessibility improvements are completed.
Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, who introduced an amendment to freeze patio permit fees in this year’s budget, emphasized the importance of affordability and predictability for Vancouver’s business community.
“Affordability and predictability continue to be top priorities for local businesses,” said Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung. “Freezing patio permit fees gives operators stability at a time when every dollar matters and ensures they can plan with confidence.”
The City engaged operators, BIAs, and hospitality leaders through three rounds of consultation, with more than 80% of participants expressing support for the proposed updates to the Patio Program.
Picture Courtesy: vancouver.ca
