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Image of a patio on Brant St.

HomeApplications, Licences and PermitsTemporary Outdoor Patios
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Seasonal Outdoor Patios

We want to support local businesses and allow seasonal outdoor patios for restaurants and businesses each spring and summer. Whether you are a returning participant from last year’s program or a new applicant, please apply for a seasonal outdoor patio permit and we will evaluate your application through a streamlined process to get back to you as soon as possible.

Beginning early January, the City of Burlington will accept applications for seasonal outdoor patios for the 2025 season. If you plan on opening your patio by April 15, you will need to submit your application to the City of Burlington by March 1. Please see below for information on how to apply.

No application fees for renewals with no changes

Patio applications approved in 2024 that are being renewed with no changes in 2025 do not need to pay an application review fee. A permit fee is still required for all applications. You can find payment instructions in the application forms.

Applying for a Seasonal Patio Permit on Public Lands

Learn how to apply for a Seasonal Patio Permit on public lands. Please review the Public Lands Seasonal Patio Guidelines for detailed information on what is required for your application.
 Application Intake

Applications are available starting Jan. 1, 2025. Apply by March 1, 2025, to ensure your application is reviewed by the start of the patio season.

See our Pre-Application Checklist to make sure you have everything you need to apply.

Apply for an outdoor patio

 Application Review

Staff will send an email to confirm the application has been received. Your application will be reviewed by staff and feedback will be provided to you, if necessary.

 Application Approval

If your application is approved by the City, staff will email you with the amount owing in fees before issuing a permit for your patio. Your permit will include conditions you will need to follow. If you will be serving liquor on your patio don’t forget to submit your permit to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) through the iAGCO portal.

 Patio Installation

Once you receive your permit, you will be asked to notify staff of your preferred date for the installation of your patio. Staff will coordinate with you to set up any required safety and traffic signage and barriers before the patio is installed. Once all safety and traffic control measures are set up, patios that do not require an inspection can be opened April 15 at the earliest. 

 Patio Inspection for ALL Curb Lane Patios and Pedestrian By-passes

Before you open your curb lane patio or pedestrian by-pass to the public, an inspection of the installation by a qualified professional must be completed. The qualified professional must provide the City with a signed letter of inspection confirming the installation complies with the designs approved by the City. Staff will confirm when the letter has been received. Once the letter is received to the satisfaction of the City, the temporary platform may be opened for use by the public.

Sidewalk Detours

The City is helping local businesses get summer-ready by issuing patio permits so residents can enjoy outdoor dining in Burlington.

To make space for patios, sidewalk detours with safety barriers will be installed from April 29 to May 1, 2025.

The sidewalk detours for patios are being installed in downtown Burlington on:

  • The north side of Pine Street between Elizabeth Street and Pearl Street
  • The east side of John Street between Pine Street and Lakeshore Road
  • The north side of Lakeshore Road between Brant Street and John Street
  • The north side of Lakeshore Road between Locust Street and Brant Street
  • The north side of Elgin Street between Locust Street and Brant Street

Additional detours will also be installed throughout patio season, as needed for pedestrian safety up until Oct. 31, 2025.

Temporary Patios on Private Lands

Apply for a Temporary Patio on Private Lands
 If you need the forms for patios on private land, go to our Liquor Licences webpage.
Patio Installation and Removal

Temporary patios on private land are permitted from April 15 until October 31 as per Zoning By-law 2020, as amended.

Temporary Tents/Structures

To get approval for a temporary tent/structure on any type of patio, you may require a separate review process and need to get a building permit if you cannot meet the Ontario Building Code (OBC) requirements, as described under our Requirements for Temporary Tents/Structure on Private Lands section.

For more information or if you need help, please contact the patio team at patios@burlingtion.ca.

Requirements for temporary patios on private property

City council has enacted Zoning By-law 2020.463 to permit temporary outdoor patios as-of-right on a seasonal basis. This means that a permit is not required for temporary patios on private property provided it:

  • Complies with Zoning By-law 2020, as amended, and the Ontario Building Code.
  • If you will be serving liquor on your temporary outdoor patio, then you will need to submit an application for a liquor licence.
Requirements for Temporary Tents/Structure on Private Lands
  1. A tent or group of tents does not require a permit if it is/they are:
    • not more than 60 square metres in aggregate ground area,
    • not attached to a building, and
    • constructed more than 3 metres from other structures.
  2. A building permit is required for a tent or group of tents when:
    • the total area is more than 60 square metres,
    • it is attached to a building, and/or
    • it is less than 3 metres from another structure.
  3. If your tent requires a building permit, the structural design for tents require an Ontario registered Professional Engineer to seal the documents/drawings and make sure they comply with the Ontario Building Code. These specifications apply to the design of the complete building system, including all structural parts, connections, anchors and fabric cover.
  4. As part of the structural design, mechanical, thermal, manual or other means of snow removal are not permitted by the Ontario Building Code.
  5. Tents/structures are not permitted in a right of way, such as sidewalks and curb lanes, where visibility is obscured for anyone including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and others.
  6. Tents/structures are not to be drilled or attached to the sidewalk or roadway, to maintain public safety and accessibility.
  7. A fuelled heating appliance shall not be operated in any enclosed or partially enclosed area. As part of the building permit review process, City building staff will consult with a Fire Prevention Officer to make sure it complies with Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulations for the placement of any heating appliances.
  8. Be advised that any approved tents/structures shall at all times be required to comply with any and all applicable provincial, municipal or other guidelines, regulations, orders, restrictions, public health regulations, and/or any other applicable law that may from time-to-time apply to such tents/structures. It is your responsibility as the operator to make sure these guidelines, regulations, and/or laws are met.
  9. Safety of your patrons and staff is essential. It is your responsibility as the business owner/operator to make sure all tents, of any size, are capable of withstanding wind, rain and snow loads during the relevant seasons. You as the business owner/operator are advised to immediately and continuously remove snow, water, leaves, etc. from the top, sides and around the tent during weather events.
Requirements for Heaters in Temporary Patios and Temporary Tents on Private Lands

If you have temporary tents that exceed 30 square metres in size or that are used for commercial or assembly purposes regardless of size, you must follow the Ontario Fire Code. It says that temporary tents must:

1.   be made of non-combustible materials or flame proofed to make sure the materials will pass the match flame test outlined in NFPA 705, “Recommended Practice for Field Flame Test for Textiles and Films,”

2.   have at least two exits located away from each other,

3.   have at least one listed minimum 2A rated portable fire extinguisher located at or near one of the exits,

4.   not have combustible materials (including decorations) in the tent,

5.   not allow smoking and open flame devices in the tent, unless arrangements have been made under the approved Fire Safety Plan in consultation with the Burlington Fire Department,

6.   have a Fire Safety Plan for all tents used for assembly purposes and submitted for review and approval to firedepartment@burlington.ca, and

7.   If the tent is not equipped with a fire alarm system, a person shall be appointed for fire watch duty and shall patrol the area continuously to make sure that the exits are kept clear. If a fire is detected, this person must notify occupants and staff to exit the tent immediately and call 911.

The Ontario Fire Code and Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulations forbid heaters to be:

  • in or below a tent or canopy,
  • under fire escapes,
  • in a walkway, entrance, throughway or adjacent to an exit,
  • beside or blocking firefighting equipment like fire hydrants or fire department connections, and;
  • near or attached to trees, utilities or other street elements.

Electric heaters must be used following manufacturer’s instructions and power cables/cords must be kept clear from walkways and protected from mechanical damage.

Snow Clearance for Temporary Patios and Temporary Tents on Private Lands
Businesses with a permit for a temporary patio and/or tent/structure that is located on private land should make arrangements with the landowner regarding winter maintenance if they wish to operate through the winter.
Applications, Licences and Permits
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