Vancouver’s patio season starts April 1

Outdoor dining is officially back in Vancouver.

Starting Tuesday, establishments with approval can set up patios on the road or sidewalk, signaling the beginning of a much-needed revival for many businesses across the city.

“January, February, and March are typically lean months in the industry… and this gives people a reason to start thinking about going out,” said Ian Tostensen, president and CEO of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

The City of Vancouver tells 1130 NewsRadio renewal notices were sent to 201 businesses. By late March, 115 were in the process of renewing their summer patio permits.

For context, 163 summer patio permits were renewed throughout 2024.

As the city ushers in patio season, Tostensen highlights that it arrives at a crucial moment, with widespread economic uncertainty across the country.

“How do we utilize patios to stimulate people to get out and get away from the day-to-day nonsense of what’s going on in the world right now? Patios provide a whole level of motivation for people to go out.”

Tostensen notes that outdoor patios can boost sales by as much as 30 to 40 per cent.

While the season is a welcome opportunity for the city’s hospitality industry, the approval process can be a tedious one. For public property patios, businesses often have to navigate additional steps and paperwork, making it more complex than just setting up tables and chairs.

“Getting caught in red tape and regulation is definitely a concern,” said Tostensen. “It’s something the city is working on. I know the mayor has made it a priority. But there’s a trade-off between ‘Hey, go for it and have a patio’ versus ‘Every patio has to be overanalyzed by the engineering department.’”

That said, Tostensen adds that most city patios are set up relatively quickly, once approved.

With the weather just warming up, Vancouver’s summer patio season offers plenty of opportunities to dine outdoors, running from April 1 to Oct. 31.