Seasonal & permanent patios

The City of Winnipeg lets businesses operate seasonal patios and permanent patios.

Seasonal patios

We offer a free process for restaurants and licensed manufacturers with tasting rooms to create seasonal patios.

Registered seasonal patios can operate during the following times:

  • Summer: April 1 – October 31 (registration begins March 1)
  • Winter: November 1 – March 31 (registration begins October 1)

Seasonal patio approval expires when the season ends. New registration is needed for each season.

Building requirements

Seasonal patios can be on private property or sidewalks/streets. Learn about the conditions on the patio registration form. Seasonal patios must be open air (no tents/structures/canopies) and provide temporary seating.

Inspections & occupancy

Inspections are not needed for seasonal patios. We may conduct audit inspections of patios to ensure compliance with safety requirements.

You don’t need to request an occupancy permit for seasonal patios.

If you need an occupancy permit for a liquor license, we will notify the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba about the registration. This will replace the need for an occupancy permit.

Determine the capacity permitted to meet health and liquor requirements. Email Manitoba Health at healthprotection@gov.mb.ca.

Fees

There are no City fees or charges for seasonal patios.

  1. Complete the summer patio registration form (PDF, 125KB)
  2. Email the completed registration form to ppd-zoningapplications@winnipeg.ca. Put "summer patio registration" in the subject line.
  3. If you plan to serve alcohol, contact the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority before opening your patio.
  4. If the patio is in the Public Right of Way (sidewalk or street), provide a Certificate of Insurance to the City of Winnipeg Risk Management Division within five business days of registration. See the registration form for details.

  1. Complete the winter patio registration form (PDF, 143KB)
  2. Prepare your supporting documentation for review and approval. Hand drawings are acceptable and an engineer/architect is not required. Refer to the registration form for document requirements.
  3. Email the completed registration form and supporting documentation to ppd-zoningapplications@winnipeg.ca
  4. Your application will be reviewed by a technical advisory committee. You will be contacted within two business days about the status of approval.
  5. If you plan to serve alcohol, contact the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority before opening your patio.
  6. If the patio is in the Public Right of Way (sidewalk or street), provide a Certificate of Insurance to the City of Winnipeg Risk Management Division within five business days of approval. See the registration form for details.

 

Permanent patios

Permanent patios can be located on private property, sidewalks or streets. They contain permanent overhead structures or permanent seating.

To operate a permanent patio, you need:

  • development permit (if there is outdoor drinking & dining)
  • building permit
  • occupancy permit
  • encroachment agreement (if located on sidewalk/street)

The estimated approval timeline for an application is about 90 days. If you do not qualify for a seasonal patio and need a permanent patio, send an email to ppd-zoningapplications@winnipeg.ca.

Fees

Permanent patios are subject to fees found in Section 6.1.1. of the Planning, Property and Development Fees and Charges schedule.

Inspections & occupancy

Permanent patios need inspections and occupancy permits.

Determine the maximum capacity that will be permitted to meet health and liquor requirements by contacting Manitoba Health at healthprotection@gov.mb.ca.

  1. If your proposed permanent patio encroaches on public property, apply for a development permit.
  2. Once the development permit is reviewed and issued (if applicable), apply for a building permit. When applying for a building permit, submit:

 

Questions?

Email: ppd-zdo@winnipeg.ca
Phone: 204-986-5140
Business hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday

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