‘More flexibility, less red tape’: Vancouver changes patio permit requirements after industry outcry

A Vancouver city councillor and local businesses are optimistic that this summer will see the return of a vibrant, outdoor dining scene after the city announced changes to its patio permit program Friday.

After the end of the Temporary Expedited Patio Program (TEPP) was announced, many restauranteurs voiced their frustration with what was replacing it. The TEPP was a pandemic-driven initiative to try to help eateries boost business amid capacity limits and other COVID-19 restrictions.

RELATED: Patio program born out of pandemic to become permanent in Vancouver

Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung, who championed that program, says it helped businesses keep the doors open.

“What everybody loved about it, was the fact that it was easy, it was nimble, and fast and flexible,” she said.

“It was absolutely huge for businesses and for neighbourhoods. It transformed Vancouver, where we had a vibrant patio culture, I think really for the first time. It’s something that they didn’t want to lose.”

Pleased to report City has streamlined summer patio program. Grateful to work with @BCRFA @bccraftbeer & neighbourhood BIA’s. for your advocacy.

simplified drawing requirements
no architectural drawings
capacity flexibility
yes to curbside patios shared frontage pic.twitter.com/JmM4zFrLuI

— Sarah Kirby-Yung 楊瑞蘭 (@sarahkirby_yung) March 11, 2022

But when the option for keeping these patios open was announced earlier this month, it required architectural drawings, charged square-footage fees, and strictly limited the space patios could occupy.

Friday’s announcement scrapped the requirement for drawings, gave more flexibility in terms of capacity, and will allow patios to occupy space in front of adjacent businesses.

“There’s just a lot more flexibility and a lot less red tape in a nutshell,” Kirby-Yung said.

Neil Wyles, executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association, says the changes take away some of the biggest hurdles for businesses — but he still sees some room for improvement.

“We’ve made huge strides today, huge strides,” he said.

The price tag before the changes was estimated to be about $5,000 for a six-square meter outdoor seating space. Wyles says the elimination of the need to consult architects and engineers will go a long way toward cost-cutting.

However, he says restaurants will still have to foot the bill for some fees, which he estimated will be between $1,000 and $1,400. There was no cost associated with the TEPP.

“It’s not outrageous, but it’s not nothing,” he said. “We’d love to see it be nothing for this year.”

If the fees can’t be eliminated entirely, he thinks the program should be revenue-neutral because the hospitality industry is still struggling to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

“The city shouldn’t be looking to make a profit off of this at this time,” he said.

He says the two-year TEPP was vital for businesses in his neighbourhood.

“Out of all of the areas in the city last year, Mount Pleasant probably had more of those curbside patios than any other area. It was a game-changer for the restaurants to be able to comfortably and safely serve their guests. Clearly, the public fully embraced it,” he said.

“The patios were full all throughout the summer. It was fantastic. It brought life to the streets, and it allowed these businesses to continue to operate. Quite frankly, without that extra level of support, we’re not sure that all of them would have survived.”

He’s looking forward to seeing a thriving patio scene return to Mount Pleasant this spring and summer, and thinks the changes to the program will help make that happen.

“I can’t wait to see that level of activity and that level of life come back to the streets. It was a joy to watch last year.”