After hearing complaints from businesses about rising costs and delays, the City of Vancouver is planning to make big changes to its patio program.
Mayor Ken Sim, alongside city councillors, announced the planned overhaul Friday, saying patios have become “a lifeline for local businesses.”
“Vancouverites absolutely love them,” Sim said.
“That’s why council directed staff to do a full review of our patio program to make it clearer, more accessible, more consistent, and easier for businesses to work with.”
The package of updates includes:
A freeze on patio permit fees;
No patio fees for storefront seating;
Eliminating engineered drawings for simple designs;
A new low-cost design template to help operators set up quickly;
Expanded eligibility, allowing more businesses to apply — like bookstores or record shops;
More flexibility around weather protection and design features; and
New accessibility requirements for curbside patios, including accessible seating, clear paths of travel, and accessible entry points.
Existing patios will have up to three years to meet the new standards and will get a one-time 100 per cent reimbursement of their patio permit fee after making upgrades.
Push for change
Sim says local business owners made it very clear the current system is “incredibly complicated, costly, and confusing.”
“We heard from operators who said engineering drawings can actually cost more than the patio itself. We heard that fees could add up incredibly quickly, and we heard that the process can drag on for months.”
In years past, patio fees in Vancouver have run businesses anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the size and season.
Coun. Mike Klassen, who chairs the Vancouver Business Growth Task Force, says the amendment also draws inspiration from a recent trip he took to Europe, where he “spent a week in a couple of European cities.”
“What I discovered there is that patio culture and the vibrancy that comes from the cities is really from those outdoor spaces where people can gather,” said Klassen.
“So with FIFA coming and in the spirit of Black Friday, I say, let’s blow the doors out.”
The city says it consulted with local operators, BIAs, and hospitality groups three times during the process, with more than 80 per cent of participants supporting the proposed changes.
Staff will report back to council in January 2026 with that framework and recommendations on which current patio pilots should become permanent.