Outdoor Patios | City of Victoria

Outdoor patios add vibrancy to City streets. They provide inclusive and welcoming public spaces for people to meet, relax and dine.

Food and beverage businesses with a valid business licence can apply to establish an outdoor patio on public property. Patios are licensed annually. They must be safe, accessible and maintain functional access to City infrastructure. Patios are not guaranteed in every location. They are subject to technical requirements driven by municipal priorities and site characteristics. Our Outdoor Patio Information Guide provides more information on patio requirements, layout options and design guidelines for active and prospective businesses.

The Outdoor Patio Program launched in April 2023 following the adoption of the Patio Regulation Bylaw.

Patio Regulation Bylaw

What's New: December 2023 Patio Regulation Bylaw Update

An update to the Patio Regulation Bylaw was adopted in December 2023. Changes to the bylaw and program are summarized below.

Patio Fencing Heights:

Patio fences must be a maximum of 1 m in height, with a permitted extension up to 1.6 m if the fence is a) transparent or b) limited to 25% solid (e.g. an end portion or decorative feature).

Weather Protection:

Free-standing weather protection units are permitted. Components are required to be retracted and/or removed when the patio is not in operation.

Security Gates:

Gates are permitted when the patio is not in operations. Further details will be provided upon application submission. Maximum height of the security gate must meet the maximum fencing height.

Expanded Footprints for Pedestrian Priority Areas:

Expanded patios can be supported in select locations including plazas and streets (or portions of streets) that are regulated to support pedestrian traffic. This includes locations such as:

Government Street (Wharf Street to Yates Street)
Broad Street (Broughton Street to Fort Street)
Gladstone Avenue (Fernwood Road to 1308 Gladstone Avenue)
Plazas and squares (e.g. Bastion Square, Janion Plaza, Centennial Square)
West Song Walkway
Millies Lane

Temporary Accommodations Process for City Special Event Permits

The City will continue to manage the use of the public right-of-way. If a temporary change of patio footprint is required, the City will provide a minimum of 28 days' notice.

License Application Process

City staff will work with applicants to investigate each site. Staff can help determine suitable options and collaboratively generate design solutions. All costs for planning, installing and maintaining patios are the responsibility of the business. The process is as follows:

Read the Outdoor Patio Information Guide in preparation for a pre-application meeting.
Book a pre-application site meeting with City staff by emailing eng@victoria.ca.
Complete the online application form and submit all required documents.
Pay the application fee ($100). City staff will contact you to process the payment.
Install the patio following approved terms and conditions.
Book a patio inspection by emailing eng@victoria.ca.
Pay the patio licence fee. City staff will contact you to process the payment.
Obtain the patio licence, apply the patio decal and begin operations.

Fee Information

Fees, fines and licence rates are included in the Patio Regulation Bylaw and depend on the location and type of patio. Schedule B of the Patio Regulation Bylaw (No. 23-035) (p. 24–28) outlines the fee areas and associated rate tables.

Map of Fee Areas

2024 Patio Rate Fees (Per Square Foot)
Fee Area	Simple		Complex
	Annual	Seasonal	Annual	Seasonal
1	$4.07	$2.03	$5.78	$2.89
2	$3.88	$1.94	$5.52	$2.76
3	$3.20	$1.60	$4.52	$2.26
4	$2.75	$1.37	$3.90	$1.95
5	$1.96	$0.98	$2.78	$1.39

2025 and Following Years Patio Rate Fees (Per Square Foot)
Fee Area	Simple		Complex
	Annual	Seasonal	Annual	Seasonal
1	$8.13	$4.07	$11.55	$5.78
2	$7.76	$3.88	$11.03	$5.52
3	$6.39	$3.20	$9.04	$4.52
4	$5.49	$2.75	$7.80	$3.90
5	$3.91	$1.96	$5.55	$2.78