Temporary Patio Requirements

Summer Patios:

1. Complete the Temporary Summer Patio Registration Form
2. Email the completed Registration Form to the Zoning & Permits Office at ppd-permit@winnipeg.ca, with "Temporary Patio Registration" in the subject line.
3. Open your patio (on or after April 1, 2021). If you intend to serve alcohol you must contact the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority prior to commencing service.
4. If the patio is in the Public Right of Way, provide a Certificate of Insurance to the City of Winnipeg Risk Management Division within 5 business days of registration. Refer to the Registration Form Appendix for details.

All temporary summer patios must comply with the following general safety guidelines, which can also be found on the Temporary Summer Patio Registration Form.  

General Safety Requirements:

1. Patio must be open air - no tents/structures/canopies.
2. Patios with 60 persons or less shall be provided with one or more means of egress (minimum of one – 3'- 0" (900mm) opening or swing gate).
3. Patios with greater than 60 persons, shall provide two remote means of egress (minimum of two – 3'-0" (900mm) openings or swing gates that open out from the patio).
4. A fence surrounding the patio is required if alcohol is being served.
5. Fences must be secured without damaging or drilling into the sidewalk, roadway or curb.
6. Patio umbrellas, planter boxes, signs, sandwich boards, etc. must not overhang or extend beyond the fenced area.
7. A clear path of pedestrian travel of 5'-0" (1.5 m) min. must be maintained on the sidewalk.
8. Patio must be 19'-8" (6 m) back from a bus stop if any.
9. Patio must not extend in front of adjacent tenant spaces.
10. There must be access to a fire extinguisher inside or outside the building, and 3'-3" (1 m) clearance for the fire department connection.
11. The organization of tables, seating and access must accommodate a wheelchair.
12. Fence and all furniture within the patio must be equal to or less than 3'-3" (1 m) in height. Should you wish to propose a taller fence height, please submit an elevation of the design, with dimensions for review and approval.
13. Business name and logo may appear on fencing, but other banners and signs are generally prohibited.
14. The size of patio should be limited as necessary to minimize disturbance where there are nearby residential dwellings. Patio service shall be stopped by 11:00 pm unless otherwise extended by the City, and sound levels are not to exceed 60d Ba.
15. All cooking must take place inside within the licensed area.
16. No open-air fires (bonfires, no solid fuel permitted) allowed within the patio, however enclosed gas radiant heaters can be used as per manufacturer's instructions.
17. The patio area shall be set back from the face of the curb by a minimum of 1'-8" (0.5m).
18. In an emergency maintenance/repair situation the patio elements will be removed by others to allow for the maintenance/repair activities. In a non-emergency maintenance/repair situation notice will be provided to the applicant to have the patio elements removed to allow for the maintenance/repair activities.

Additional Safety Requirements for Patios in the Right of Way:

1. Patios are not permitted on two-lane roads.
2. Patios in the curb lane are only permitted in locations where parking is allowed at all times of day. Locations like Portage Avenue where parking is prohibited during peak periods are not permitted.
3. Patios cannot encroach into existing loading zones.
4. Patios cannot be located on streets with a speed limit over 50 km/h.
5. Patios cannot be within 29'-7" (9m) upstream of stop signs, traffic signals.
6. Patios cannot be within 9'-10" (3m) of an intersection.
7. A post with a hazard marker sign must be added to the outside corner of the patio facing oncoming traffic. The hazard marker sign (reference WA-36R from the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada) should face traffic approaching the patio and be located on the post such that the bottom edge of the sign is no more than 3'-3" (1.0 m) above the boardwalk.
8. The side of the patio adjacent to traffic must end a minimum 3'-3" (1.0m) from the edge of the adjacent travel lane.
9. The top of the patio must be level with the top of the curb where pedestrians cross back and forth from the patio to the sidewalk/boulevard.
10. A fence with a height equal to 3'-3" (1.0m) must separate the patio from the roadway.

On March 25, 2021, City Council passed a motion to waive fees for the registration of a Temporary Summer Patio. If you were previously charged a registration fee for a Temporary Summer Patio, you will be contacted to initiate a refund. All new registrations will have fees waived.

You are not required to call for inspections; however, the City may conduct audit inspections of patios to ensure compliance with the general safety requirements outlined in the Registration Form.

You are not required to request an Occupancy Permit; however, you are required to comply with the Provincial social distancing guidelines.

If you require an Occupancy Permit to obtain a Liquor License, the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba will be notified of the registration of your patio in lieu of an Occupancy Permit.

Should you wish to operate your patio on an annual basis, please refer to the Application Steps for a Sidewalk and On-Street Patio brochure for details. Note that annual patios operate from April 1 - October 31.

The list of registered patios will be updated regularly, as applications are approved.

View a list of the Registered Temporary Patios: Summer Patios (April 1 - October 31, 2021 Operation)