In order to support businesses impacted by COVID-19, the City developed its Patio Innovation Program in 2020 to encourage new or expanding restaurant patios and café seating. This has allowed restaurants to keep serving customers during Provincial closures, which provided the opportunity to generate revenue and keep some staff employed.
To ensure accessibility, all patio applications must maintain a 2-meter clear pedestrian path of travel and must comply with the City’s Accessibility Design Standards, including cane-detectable delineation around the patio’s border.
Accessibility is reviewed by City staff at the application stage. Additionally, when new or expanded patios are considered, every effort is made to maintain a straight pedestrian path of travel. Consideration is also given for street furniture and amenities, such as benches, waste receptacles and planters.
This Program will continue in 2022 and will include staff support for regular inspections and proactive enforcement. For more information on this Program, please contact ROWPatio@ottawa.ca (link sends e-mail). For issues related to enforcement, please contact 3-1-1, 613 580-2400 for Video Relay Service, or 613 580-2401 for TTY.
