Hamilton waiving some patio fees for restaurants this year

By

Published April 3, 2023 at 1:59 pm

Stock photo

Hamilton restaurants are getting ready to reopen their patios for the warmer weather, and for restaurants with temporary on-street patios, fewer costs will apply this year.

At a recent general issues committee meeting, the City chose to waive the application fee for the Temporary Outdoor Patio Program ($676.11) and the City fee for Temporary Patio Installation of Safety Devices ($800) for the 2023 season, which will save some restaurants almost $1,500 altogether.

The motion — moved by Councillor Ted McMeekin and passed with almost unanimous support — is an attempt to support local businesses as they continue their economic recovery from the pandemic, which saw many businesses forced to close down completely for months at a time.

The City report also states “local restaurants and cafes continue to be impacted by reduced business as a result of hybrid working and reduced foot traffic in some of our commercial areas.”

The City expects to recover the waived costs through its Economic Development Initiatives Reserve.

Hamilton first launched the temporary On-Street Patio Pilot Program in 2016, which became the permanent Temporary Outdoor Patio Program in 2022.

The program allows restaurants and cafes to open temporary outdoor patios in on-street parking spaces, off-street parking lots, sidewalks, alleyways and boulevards.

Restaurants can apply for a temporary outdoor patio at the City’s website.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising