Vancouver issues 47 temporary patio permits so far
Posted June 12, 2020 1:41 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The City of Vancouver has issued 47 temporary patio permits since the first of the month.
The city has received 101 applications for since June 1, while on Thursday council approved expanding the program to include patios on private property, says a release.
“Temporary expedited patio permits allow restaurants and liquor serving establishments to take advantage of the improving weather and expand their indoor seating out onto street, parking and sidewalk space in front or next to their business until Oct. 31,” says the city.
City staff is working with 18 private patio applicants to complete their applications or find interim options.
.@CityofVancouver says it’s issued 47 temporary expedited patio permits with 101 applications received. In addition to those applications, 18 private patio applicants are working w/staff to complete applications or find interim options.
— Ria Renouf (@riarenouf) June 12, 2020
“Unlike patios on public property, which can be approved by the city within two business days, patios on private property require a more comprehensive application and building review,” says the city.
“Staff expect permits for private property to be available by the end of the month, with approval granted within five business days for patios that do not require construction.”
The temporary patio program was initiated to help businesses affected by COVID-19.
RELATED: Patio season about to get bigger as B.C. allows temporary expansion
A public hearing regarding a bylaw to allow temporary patios for breweries, wineries and distillers will be held on June 30.
As of June 1, breweries with an existing restaurant or lounge seeking a patio have been able to apply for a temporary patio permit online through the Temporary Expedited Patio Program.
In March, council passed a bylaw that allows the city to issue emergency orders to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and issued an order restricting restaurants from offering table service and limiting the number of customers in any place to no more than 10 people. Only takeout or delivery were allowed
In May, council directed staff to work on a new online application process to provide increased flexibility for restaurants to provide service outdoors, then rescinded the emergency order to shut down restaurant table service.
