Pop-Up Patios

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Pop-up Patio Pilot Program

The City of Burlington’s Pop-up Patio Pilot program allows downtown businesses to establish temporary seasonal patios by using on-street parking spaces along Brant, John, and Pine Streets.

In 2015, the City of Burlington started the pilot program. In April 2018, City Council approved the staff recommendation to continue the pilot program for another two years.

Pop-up patios are permitted yearly from May 15 to Sept. 17
(the third Monday of September).

Criteria
Application Requirements
Approval Process
Contacts

Criteria for Pop-Up Patios

Applications for a maximum of ten (10) seasonal on-street pop-up patios in the downtown will be considered each year and must meet the following criteria:

Location

Permitted only on streets with existing on-street parking
Permitted only on sites that have inadequate space to construct a conventional sidewalk patio while maintaining a minimum two (2) metre (6.5 ft) wide clear path
Permitted only where the pop-up installation can be located directly in front of the associated business
Must be located at least one (1) parking stall away from an intersection
Proposals will be assessed in accordance with vehicle volumes, sightlines and visibility to the satisfaction of the Director of Transportation Services
Proposals must not obstruct underground utility access, electrical transformer vaults, utility boxes, parking meters, loading zones, transit stops and other infrastructure
Proposals must avoid conflicts with existing pedestrian crossings.

Design Standards

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, pop-up installations must be buffered using a wheel stop at a desired distance of 1.2 metres (48”) from the each end
The pop-up 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).

Additional criteria

Applicants must provide notice to adjacent business neighbours of their proposals
Promotional signage/advertising will not be permitted on pop-up installations.

Application Requirements

Please follow the steps below to submit an application.

Prepare plans and drawings of the proposed pop-up installation(s) with dimensions in accordance with the Evaluation Criteria for Pop-up Installations and construction drawings S-1, S-2, and S-3 (PDF, 349 KB)

(Note: plans and drawings must be prepared by a qualified designer with a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) or stamped by an architect, if structures are not designed in accordance with the specified construction drawings...?)
Complete the Pop-up Patio Pilot Program Application Form (PDF, 190 KB)
Complete the Municipal Permit Application Form (PDF, 435 KB)
Complete the Downtown Parking Permit Form (PDF, 554 KB) (Note: Section 1 does not apply)
Pay the applicable annual fee of $1,806 per occupied parking stall.

Approval Process

Step 1 – Submit your application, as above, and five (5) copies of the required plans and drawings by April 24, 2018. Please submit applications to:

Attn: Pop-up Patio
City Hall
426 Brant St.
2^nd Floor, Planning Counter, P.O. Box 5013
Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6

Step 2 – Revise application in response to staff comments, if necessary.

Step 3 – Clear conditions of approval.

Step 4 – Construct pop-up installation(s).

Step 5 – Contact city staff for inspection.

Step 6 – Obtain final approval.

All applications submitted will be reviewed/approved by city staff. If approved, construction of the patio may begin May 15, 2018. Applications will continue to be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis following the April 24, 2018 deadline.