City recommending extension of outdoor patios

City staff are recommending that private lands and parking lots and certain municipal lands be permitted to be temporarily used for commercial purposes, including patios and patio expansions by local bars and restaurants. 

The city has launched the S∙O∙L∙E∙R (Support Our Local Economic Recovery) Initiative, which is designed to assist local businesses and artisans, such as restaurants and bars, rebound from the impacts of the pandemic. 

Following legislative approval from the province and pending subsequent approval from Waterloo city council during a special meeting Thursday morning, restaurants / bars, commercial businesses and artisans will be able to apply for a temporary use permit on private lands (including off-street parking areas) and certain municipal lands. The city has created a quick and streamlined process to review and approve these applications so that business owners and customers can get maximum benefit from the temporary permissions.  The city is also helping to promote and market local businesses and artisans through a temporary amendment to the city’s sign by-law. The city’s comprehensive approach also includes signage. 

If approved, the licence would be in place until January 1, 2021. 

The S∙O∙L∙E∙R Initiative focusses on temporary land use planning opportunities to support local businesses and artisans. More specifically, the initiative seeks to enable:

• The temporary use of off-street parking areas for commercial purposes
• The temporary use of certain on-site open space areas for commercial purposes
• The temporary use of municipal lands for commercial purposes
• The use of municipal lands for temporary signage to market and promote local businesses and artisans.

Tony Iavarone
Director, Corporate Communications
City of Waterloo
tony.iavarone@waterloo.ca