Restaurants may be able to expand their outdoor dining options again this summer.
City council will vote on Tuesday to waive certain fees pertaining to outdoor patios for the 2021 season.
As was done last year in response to businesses reopening during the pandemic, city staff are recommending council vote to waive fees for building permits for patios (if a patio is over 12 inches off the ground).
Certain downtown parking fees would also be waived should businesses wish to use a city parking spot for patio space. The fee is normally $100 a month.
Staff are also recommending that fees be waived for retail stores that wish to expand onto the sidewalk.
The recommendation will allow restaurants to use parking lots or the sidewalks to expand outdoor dining, which was also part of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s amendment to its patio policy. The amendment was initially set to end in January of this year but was extended until 2022.
Last year, the waiving of patio fees was made possible by Bylaw 2020-31 which has since expired. As a result, council needs to vote to waive the fees again.
The vote will be made on Tuesday, March 9.
