Local economic recovery
Find out how to expand your business offerings during the gradual reopening of Phase 2 through temporary patios, patio expansions, pop-ups for retailers and artisans on private lands and/or municipal lands, or temporarily place a sign on municipal lands to promote and market your business.
On this page
- Support Our Local Economic Recovery
- How we are helping
- Outdoor heaters
- Before you apply
- Apply for a sidewalk patio in the Uptown
- Apply for all other licence types
- About SOLER
Support Our Local Economic Recovery
The City of Waterloo’s SOLER Initiative (Support Our Local Economic Recovery) is intended to support our local economic recovery as businesses gradually and strategically reopen with a continued focus on the health and safety of customers and workers.
How we are helping
The SOLER initiative focuses on temporary land use planning opportunities to support local businesses. What that means is applications will be open for:
- The temporary use of off-street parking areas for commercial purposes, subject to licencing.
- The temporary use of certain on-site open space areas for commercial purposes, subject to licencing.
- The temporary use of municipal lands for commercial purposes, subject to licencing.
- The use of municipal lands for temporary signage to market and promote local businesses and artisans, subject to permitting.
Outdoor heaters
The below information and requirements are to assist your business in the use of outdoor heaters.
Propane heaters, including the fuel source and storage, are regulated by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). TSSA oversees the following:
- transmission, distribution, and transportation
- storage and dispensing
- burning
Installing outdoor heaters
Before installing heaters or storing propane cylinders at your business, you must:
- Contact TSSA to understand your responsibilities as it concerns to propane safety regulations.
- It is the sole responsibility of each business to ensure they are in compliance with any standards or procedures stipulate by the TSSA.
- Propane heaters are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations
The TSSA can be contacted at 1-877-682-8772 or by email at: customerservices@tssa.org
If you are using a propane heater at your business, the city’s Fire Prevention Office may be visiting your location to ensure that no obvious fire safety issues exist. Waterloo Fire Rescue prohibits the following:
- use of propane heaters in an enclosed space that presents a fire or carbon monoxide hazard
- use of propane heaters in a manner not permitted by the manufacturer’s specifications and/or recommendations
If you are using a outdoor heater that is situated on any portion of municipal property, please advise the city’s Municipal Enforcement Services office as consent is required from the City and/or Region.
For any other types of fuel sources other than propane for outdoor heaters, contact the city’s Fire Prevention Office at 519-884-2121 for more information. Waterloo Fire Rescue prohibits open burning.
Prior to putting up of any tents, please consult with the Building Standards Division at building@waterloo.ca or 519-747-8712 to determine if a building permit is required.
Before you apply
Please ensure you have met our requirements laid out below.
General requirements |
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Sketch/site drawing |
The following should be indicated on the sketch/site drawing:
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Example of site drawing |
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Apply for a sidewalk patio in Uptown Waterloo
If you are looking to apply for a sidewalk patio in Uptown Waterloo please complete our Uptown patio form below.
- You will need to meet the requirements laid out under general requirements and have a sketch prepared for your submission.
- The application and all supporting documents will be sent to christine.tettman@waterloo.ca
- Any questions regarding the application process can be directed to christine.tettman@waterloo.ca
For additional information, view our uptown patio sidewalk guidelines (PDF).
Apply for a sidewalk patio licence
Apply for all other licence types
For all other temporary space uses, including patios not located in the Uptown core and other commercial uses onto city or private lands, you can apply for a licence online.
- Register or sign in to apply for a licence online. Note - this application is not Internet Explorer compatible.
- All supporting documents can be submitted through the online application
- Any questions regarding the application process can be directed to bl@waterloo.ca
Apply for all other space types
About SOLER
Waterloo's local economy is diverse and strong, but it is not immune to significant impacts caused by prolonged closures and restrictions enacted by the Province and the Regional Medical Officer of Health.
Closures and operating restrictions are necessary to protect the health, well-being and safety of Ontarians. Waterloo’s businesses and artisans are committed to doing their part to fight coronavirus, but many are struggling and seeking assistance from the city.
The City of Waterloo always rises to the challenge.