Temporary Outdoor Patios

Complete a Temporary Patio Application online form.

You must follow:

• the requirements for Temporary Patios on Public Lands (see below),
• Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) Liquor License Requirements,
• Region of Halton Public Health requirements and
• all other applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.

We will review your application as quickly as possible.

If you have questions about your patio application, contact the patio team at patios@burlington.ca

Once we approve your application, you can have a temporary patio on public lands until Oct. 31.

The temporary patios must be removed by Nov. 1

We will only approve your temporary patio, tent or structure application if it meets certain requirements. View the requirements for each type of patio structure on public lands below.

1. Temporary patios will be considered as sidewalk patios where a minimum 2 metre wide clear path of travel can be maintained for the safe passage of pedestrians. Where required, on-street parking can be used to accommodate a pedestrian boardwalk, subject to the required design criteria (see details below).
2. Temporary patios will be considered in existing on-street parking spaces where a minimum 2 metre wide clear path of travel can be maintained for the safe passage of pedestrians. Patios occupying existing on-street parking spaces shall be subject to the required design criteria (see details below).
3. A minimum 2 metre wide clear path of travel must be maintained or an alternative protected pedestrian walkway provided by the business owner/operator, unless otherwise indicated by the City.
4. Any on-street installations shall be constructed in accordance with the required design criteria (see details below).
5. Proposals should not obstruct underground utility access, electrical transformer vaults, utility boxes, parking meters, loading zones, transit stops, and other infrastructure.
6. Proposals must avoid conflicts with existing pedestrian crossings.
7. Proposed temporary patios or temporary patio expansions must be adjacent to the business.
8. Accessibility must be maintained around and throughout the temporary patio and between the business and temporary patio.
9. No access, garbage, or fire routes will be blocked by any new or expanded temporary patios.
10. Recreation or Entertainment uses are not permitted on any temporary patio.
11. No food or drink preparation shall be permitted on temporary patios.
12. Temporary patios must generally not extend in front of adjacent tenant spaces, or beyond the business frontage without permission from the affected adjacent property owner and/or tenant.
13. If you have received approval through the City of Burlington for a temporary outdoor patio, business owner/operators are responsible to notify the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) prior to selling and serving alcohol on your patio and ensure compliance with all relevant permissions.
14. Fire Department connections (Siamese connections) and hydrants must be unobstructed.
15. Temporary patios are permitted until no later than October 31, 2023.
16. No advertising or promotional materials may be included on any temporary patio on municipal property.
17. All other municipal and Provincial Regulations will continue to apply.

• The deck (floor structure) must have a flush transition at the sidewalk and curb to permit easy access and avoid tripping hazards.
• The sub-structure must accommodate the crown of the road and provide a level surface for the deck (floor structure) such as adjustable deck pedestals spaced under the surface and of different heights. Another method is to provide steel sub-structure and angled beams.
• The deck must be constructed of a slip-resistant surface.
• The deck must be designed for a minimum load-bearing weight of 4.80 kilopascals (100 psf).
• The deck and patio, including entrances, must meet the city’s Accessible Design Standards.
• All gates must swing into the patio space and not obstruct the sidewalk.
• The design is to include fencing to define the space generally as depicted in DWG. No. S-2 prepared by C.C. Tatham & Associates Ltd. and be capable of withstanding at least 200 feet of horizontal force.
• Proposals must have vertical elements that make them visible to traffic, such as flexible posts, bollards or landscape planters.
• Railings and vertical elements should be a minimum of 0.91 metres (36”) and no higher than 1.07 metres (42”) in height.
• No umbrellas or other treatments can extend into the sidewalk or travelled portion of the roadway.
• To ensure visibility to moving traffic and parking cars, installations must be buffered using a wheel stop at a desired distance of 1.2 metres (48”) from each end.
• The installations must provide a minimum of 0.3 metres (12”) from the travelled portion of the roadway.
• Lighting will be subject to review and will be designed and installed in such a way as to not create a visual or physical distraction to travelling public on the sidewalk or roadway.
• Tables shall not exceed a height of 0.865 metres (34”) above the finished floor of a patio (deck).
• No deck (floor structure) shall be permitted on municipal rights of way after November 1, 2023.

Complete a Temporary Patio Application online form.

You are responsible to get written approval from the landowner or landlord to install a temporary patio on the property.

You must follow:

• the requirements for Temporary Patios and Temporary Tents on Private Lands (see below),
• Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) Liquor License Requirements,
• Region of Halton Public Health requirements and
• all other applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.

We will review your application as quickly as possible.

If you have questions about your patio application, contact the patio team at patios@burlington.ca.

Temporary patios on private land are permitted from the date of approval until Jan. 1, 2024.

The temporary patios must comply with the zoning by-law for temporary patios.

If you want to install a temporary tent/structure on your patio, you must apply for a temporary patio permit using the Temporary Patio on Private Lands Application online form. Please let us know your plans for a temporary tent on your application for a temporary patio permit. Restauranteurs with a permanent patio may install a temporary tent/structure on your patio once you have all the necessary approvals.

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.

We will only approve your temporary patio, tent or structure application if it meets certain requirements. View the requirements for each type of patio structure on private lands.

1. Proposed temporary patios or temporary patio expansions must be next to your business.
2. Requirements for accessible spaces must be maintained.
3. Accessibility must be maintained to and throughout the temporary patio and business.
4. A reasonable amount of non-accessible parking spaces shall be maintained.
5. No garbage routes or fire routes can be blocked by any new or expanded patios.
6. Recreation or Entertainment uses are not permitted on any temporary patio.
7. No food or drink preparation shall be permitted on temporary patios.
8. Platforms, stages, decks and portable toilets are not permitted.
9. Temporary patios must not extend in front of adjacent tenant spaces, or beyond the business frontage without permission from the affected adjacent property owner and/or tenant.
10. A minimum barrier of 1.2 metres shall be installed where a patio is adjacent to vehicle movement areas.
11. Perimeter fencing, planters or barriers are allowed on sidewalk patio areas.
12. Access between the patio and the restaurant shall not be obstructed by vehicular drive aisles.
13. Temporary tents must be properly anchored to the ground per OBC requirements.
14. If you have received approval through the City of Burlington for a temporary outdoor patio, business owner/operators are responsible to notify the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) prior to selling and serving alcohol on your patio, and ensure compliance with all relevant permissions including those of the Ontario Building Code, and their landlord.
15. Fire Department connections (Siamese Connections) and hydrants must be unobstructed.
16. Temporary patios are permitted until no later than Jan. 1, 2024.
17. All provincial and public health guidelines must be maintained.
18. All other municipal and Provincial Regulations will continue to apply.
19. The City of Burlington is authorized to inspect all temporary patios and/or temporary tents and require adjustments to the temporary patio to address compliance with these guidelines and other applicable municipal and Provincial regulations.

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 fueled 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.

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.