Vancouver makes last-minute changes to summer patio program after industry complaints

After facing harsh criticism from industry associations for its 2022 guidelines for summer patios at restaurants, bars and breweries, the City of Vancouver has made changes that it says will streamline the program.

After facing harsh criticism from industry associations for its 2022 guidelines for summer patios at restaurants, bars and breweries, the City of Vancouver has made changes that it says will streamline the program.

The BC Craft Brewers Guild and the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association complained last week that the city's new rules had created extra costs and "red tape" for business owners, and would result in fewer opportunities for patio dining in Vancouver this summer. 

On Friday, the city announced changes made in response to the industry's criticisms.

In a news release, city staff highlighted three specific changes that have been made.

First, drawing requirements have been simplified to allow businesses that previously had patios approved under the city's "Temporary Expedited Patio Permit" system to resubmit the same technical drawings they submitted with their original application. Drawings must be accurate and scaled, but they do not need to be produced by a professional architect, according to the city.

Second, businesses can transfer up to 50 per cent of their existing capacity from indoors to a patio, a change the city said would provide "much more flexibility."

Third, curbside patios will continue to be allowed to extend in front of neighbouring businesses, as they were during the TEPP period in 2020 and 2021.