On November 26, 2025, City Council approved recommendations from City staff, focused on expanded design options and accessibility requirements for summer curbside patios, as well as streamlined processes and updates to the patio program names.

In January, more details will be shared by the City of Vancouver and we will update this page with additional information as it becomes available.

Key Updates:

  • On November 25, council approved no increase to the 2026 patio permit fees for curbside and sidewalk patios; 2026 permit fees will remain the same as 2025 rates.
  • City council also approved staff’s recommendation to eliminate application and permit fees for storefront seating (formerly “small sidewalk patio”).
  • Updated design guidelines, new accessibility requirements, and expanded design options for common patio elements for summer curbside patios
  • Improvements to continue streamlining patio permitting processes
  • Eligibility to add seats without impacts to washroom requirements for outdoor seating
  • Summer curbside patios with simple decks (under 2ft) and lightweight vertical elements are exempt from sealed engineering drawings – which can help save time and financial costs for applicants.
  • Updated names of patio type (sidewalk, curbside, storefront seating) as below:


Name Description
Storefront seating (formerly “small sidewalk patio”) Non-liquor serving seating, located directly against the building along the business’s frontage, either in front, or on the side, where there is suitable sidewalk space.
 

 

Sidewalk patio (formerly “large sidewalk patio”)

  

 

Delineated by a railing and eligible for liquor service (if licensed by LCRB); located directly against the business storefront, either in front or on the side, where there is suitable sidewalk space
Curbside patio (summer) Located in the curb lane of the street (on-street parking, road space, street plazas) in front of or beside a ground floor business storefront.
Curbside patio (year-round) For those who are part of the year-round curbside patio trial already. The trial is currently underway, and the City is not accepting new year-round curbside patios at this time.

 

  • By the end of 2025, the City will update the Patio Program website to reflect the program updates and upload the new design guidelines for summer curbside patios and storefront seating
  • In January, the City will reach out to existing Summer Patio Program permit holders to communicate the 2026 program updates.
  • In late January, the City will host two virtual Q&A sessions where existing Summer Patio Program permit holders can learn more and speak with staff

Stay tuned for next steps in January from the City.

If you plan on serving liquor on your patio, it is a separate application to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). Be sure to review their process early to avoid potential delays, as the LCRB is expecting a high volume of applications in 2026.


Sources on Patio Permits