Find out how to expand your business offerings through one of our two patio programs in the City of Waterloo.
On this page
Uptown patio program
In 2017 council approved the uptown patio program, which allows local businesses to apply for patios on sidewalks in the uptown area.
Patio districts have been created for this program to help promote the patio culture, ease the planning application process and encourage decorative aspects of patios.
View the map to see which street corresponds to its patio district:
Before you apply
Before you apply for an uptown patio, review the guidelines and required documentation.
Public health and safety
-
follow all public health directives, the Reopening Ontario Act, and the Ontario Building Code
-
the business must have a valid operating licence
-
obtain written permission from neighbors if shared property is affected
-
if serving alcohol, a 1.0m (42-inch) sturdy fence/barrier is required
- patio operates April 1 – October 31 and must be clean, safe, and well-maintained
Accessibility requirements
- comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
- maintain 1.8-metre-wide accessways, including entrances, exits, and pathways
-
patios must be level, firm, and stable with no steps/grade changes
-
fenced patios need a 1.2m wide accessible entrance and at least one wheelchair-accessible table
-
maintain a 1.8m clear path for pedestrians and keep accessible parking unobstructed
-
no blocking of bike lanes, fire hydrants, bus shelters, or infrastructure
Patio design
-
must be in the Façade (building frontage) or Curbside (street furnishing) zones.
-
minimum 0.5m setback from on-street parking
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can’t extend past business frontage without adjacent owner approval
-
use high-quality metal, wood, aluminum, or steel furniture (no plastic/vinyl)
-
removable, decorative fencing only (no permanent anchors)
-
umbrellas and landscaping must not obstruct sidewalks
- signage must stay within the building zone and not block visibility or access
City bylaws
Sidewalk guidelines
The uptown sidewalk patio guidelines provide the full details of performance standards targets set by the city and go into further detail of each district. Please see the guideline for further information.
| District |
Jurisdiction |
LRT Setback |
Bike Route Setback |
On-street Parking
|
Sidewalk Clearance Zone |
| King North |
Region and city |
✗
|
✓
|
✓
|
check updated guidelines |
| King South: LRT Track to William |
Region |
✓
east side
|
✗ |
✓
west side
|
check updated guidelines |
| King South: William to Union |
Region |
✓
centre line
|
✗ |
✗ |
check updated guidelines |
| Caroline |
Region |
✓
centre line
|
✓
|
✗ |
check updated guidelines |
| Erb |
Region |
✗ |
✗ |
✗ |
check updated guidelines |
| Regina |
City |
✗ |
✗ |
✗ |
check updated guidelines |
| Willis Way |
City |
✗ |
✗ |
✓
|
check updated guidelines |
Download the complete guidelines (PDF)
Download and fill out the supporting documents. You will be asked to upload them as part of your application.
Certificate of liability
- the certificate must be $2 million for unlicensed patios and $5 million for licensed patios
- if your patio is on a city sidewalk:
- if your patio is on a region sidewalk:
Site drawing or sketch instructions
A patio plan is required showing the location of the proposed patio. This can be a sketch or CAD drawing and must have the following information:
- location of patio on the sidewalk and building
- overall size (area) of patio
- fence location and entrance
- curb line and street furnishing zone
- minimum clear path of travel
- entrance to building/restaurant
- location of all furniture:
- chairs and tables
- umbrellas
- any planters or decorative items
- location of all fencing and access points
- location of any trees or grates
- number of:
- street furniture:
- fire hydrants
- lights/utility poles
- benches
- bike racks
- waste containers
- bus shelters
How to apply
Only apply if: your patio is in the uptown core, and will be a reoccurring space expansion for commercial use from April 1 to Oct 31.
Uptown patio fees have been waived for the 2025 season.
- to apply for an uptown patio you can fill out the online form below
- make sure you have downloaded and filled out the supporting documents and are prepared to include them in your application
- if you have questions regarding the online application, or require a different format to apply, please contact patios@waterloo.ca
Apply for an uptown patio
Renewals
Uptown patios require annual renewals, use the online form below to renew a previous uptown patio encroachment agreement.
Renew an uptown patio
Temporary/SOLER patio program
In 2020, the City of Waterloo launched its SOLER Patio Program (Support Our Local Economic Recovery). This program focused on temporary land use opportunities to support local economic recovery as businesses gradually reopened following the COVID-19 Pandemic. This program is still available but has been renamed the Temporary Patio Program.
This program requires a licence for either:
- Private property uses for patios and patio expansions
- Municipal property used for patios and patio expansions
Before you apply
Before you apply for an temporary/SOLER patio, review the guidelines and required documentation.
- follow all public health directives, the Re-opening Ontario Act and Ontario Building Code
- do not block fire exits, access or sightlines to business entrances, exits or accessible parking
- comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act guidelines including:
- 1.8 metre access ways, entrance/exit and pathways
- do not obstruct or eliminate accessible parking spaces unless there is a plan to temporarily relocate them
- maintain walkways or ramps required for barrier free access
- continue to meet parking demands on site
- follow all City of Waterloo bylaws including:
- gain written permission from neighbours with affected shared property
Before you apply, download and fill out the supporting documents. You will be asked to upload them as part of your application.
- Certificate of insurance (PDF) - $2 million for unlicensed patios and $5 million for licensed patios, ensure the type of temporary use is included
- Acknowledgement and indemnity form (PDF)
- Owner Authorization Letter (PDF) - to be completed by the property owner or their authorized agent if the applicant is not the owner
- site drawing or sketch instructions that show the property lines, existing structures and the location of the temporary patio
A patio plan on municipal property
A patio plan on private property
How to apply
Only apply if: your patio is not located in the uptown core, and will be a temporary space expansion for commercial use on city or private land.
- to apply for a temporary /SOLER patio you must use the online portal and can register as a new user or sign in to an existing account
- make sure you have downloaded and filled out the supporting documents and are prepared to upload them with your online application
- if you have questions regarding the online application, or require a different format to apply, please contact
Apply for a temporary/SOLER patio
Renewals
Visit the online portal one year after initial application approval to renew your Temporary/SOLER licence.
Contact us
If you have questions about the application process or require a different format, please contact patios@waterloo.ca
