Temporary Patios & Pop-up Patios

The City of Thunder Bay offers a patio program allowing local businesses to expand their dining areas outdoors on city sidewalks, parking lanes, and privately owned parking lots.

If you're a business owner interested in setting up a temporary patio or extending your “by-the-glass” liquor license outdoors (for either an event or seasonal patio), the following information and application forms will help guide you through the process.

Temporary patios are to be removed at the end of the season or term of the agreement.  If you are looking to create a permanent patio with the intent of having your existing liquor licence amended to include the additional patio space, then please contact Building Services at 807 625-2574.

Effective on January 1, 2023 as directed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO):

• Most liquor sales licensees and manufacturers that hold a by-the-glass endorsement who want to extend their existing liquor licence for the purpose of operating a temporary patio will need municipal approval
• Upon obtaining an approval from a municipality, you are required to then notify the AGCO by making a submission on the iAGCO portal before selling or serving liquor on your temporary patio (see Notifying the AGCO of an Approved Temporary Patio)

Applications

• Private Patio Application
• Application for Pop-Up Patio (with structure)
• Application for Sidewalk Patio
• Application for Street Parking Lane Patio (no structure)

Additional resources

• Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017

• City of Thunder Bay Noise By-Law 131-2005

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005