Richmond Patio Program

A seasonal patio is located on private land, private sidewalks or in private parking lots adjacent to a food service establishment or neighbourhood public house establishment. Patios located in a private parking lot must meet minimum parking requirements and have additional safety measures.

Patios of this type are considered seasonal, operating between April 1 and October 31 each year of their 2-year Patio Permit. If your patio is in a private parking lot, you’ll need both a Patio Permit and a Temporary Commercial Use Permit (TCUP). The approval process happens concurrently and is subject to a public notification process of 30 days.  

Patios may operate on a public sidewalk, provided it is adjacent to the business making the patio application. The patio must be fully detached from the building structure, not block access to neighbouring businesses and provide a clear, straight, unobstructed path for pedestrians. 

Patios of this type may operate year-round with a 2-year Patio Permit. Each year, permit holders will be required to pay a fee for the use of public property and provide proof of insurance (minimum $5 million), naming the City as an additional insured. 

A large public space patio may be located at the curbside in on-street parking spaces adjacent to a food service establishment and is not suitable for establishments that primarily serve liquor. Patios may only be located in on-street parking spaces that are dedicated for parking without any parking restrictions and have additional safety requirements such as fencing and hazard markers.

Patios of this type may operate year-round with a 2-year Patio Permit and are subject to a public notification process of 30 days. Each year, permit holders will be required to pay a fee for the use of public property and provide proof of insurance (minimum $5 million), naming the City as an additional insured. 

If you intend to serve liquor on a patio, City staff will assess liquor licence requirements during the Patio Permit application process to determine whether a new liquor licence or an amendment to an existing liquor licence is necessary. A fee is associated with this application and a public notification process is required. For specific details on the City’s liquor licence process, please read bulletin INFO-52.

In order to serve liquor on a seasonal or temporary patio, you may be required to submit a new outdoor patio application to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). Approval can take time to complete, applying early can help prevent disruptions. Once a permanent structural change or patio is approved, licensees do not need to reapply annually to the LCRB.

For more detailed information, visit the LCRB’s permanent service area page.

When applying for a City of Richmond Patio Permit, applicants will need to submit a floor plan that includes an occupant load stamp/permit and clearly shows the proposed change. Only patios serving liquor are required to provide a drawing showing all interior and exterior seating to confirm no overall change in occupancy load. 

Steveston Village is a protected heritage conservation area and all properties located within this area are subject to the conservation requirements, regardless of whether it is a protected heritage property or not. Patios located within this area have additional requirements outlined in the Patio Program Design Guidelines , designed to maintain the heritage character of the area. Unsure if these guidelines apply to your business? A boundary map can be found in the Appendix 2 of the Patio Program Design Guidelines.

For businesses located in Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Area, a Heritage Alteration Permit (HAP)  is required for all patio structures regardless of their construction value and location. In some cases, the Director of Development has been delegated the authority by Richmond City Council to consider an HAP application. Once a Heritage Alteration Permit is approved, operators do not need to reapply for an HAP if no changes to the patio are proposed. 

For specific details on HAP approvals, please read bulletin INFO-52.

Requests for permanent patios, private patios operating year-round or result in increased occupancy are permitted but are not managed under this program. An Interior Finishing, Alterations Plan Review Application form  is required along with payment of the associated fee. Once a permanent patio is approved, operators are not required to apply for a Patio Permit.

For specific details on the Tenant Improvement Process, please read bulletin INFO-13  or contact building@richmond.ca, for further information.