To help our local food and beverage establishments manage through the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting provincial health orders, the City of Cranbrook has enacted measures to allow for enhanced use of seasonal outdoor patios.

On Tuesday April 6, 2021 City Council adopted amendments to the Downtown Season Patio bylaw which allows for expansion of outside patio space for existing food and beverage businesses into public lands and parking spaces in the downtown, along with conversion of private parking lots.

 
General Program Provisions

• This program is an emergency expansion for food and beverage due to provincial order. Retail can expand outdoors under our existing outside sidewalk sale permits in place already.
• This program is for expansion to outside for existing food and beverage businesses, it is not intended for mobile food vendors.
• No fees for this program, no application fee, no use of public land fee. Security deposit still applies.
• Total seating numbers should be no greater than already in existing operating permit unless amended.
• A patio can be shared, breakfast/lunch vs dinner.
• Under Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) there is no requirement for City to consult adjacent businesses on expanded liquor licenses vs normal.
• Blanket approval by Council for expanded outdoor food and liquor licenses until October 31, 2021 and submitting a letter stating such to the Province of BC, for businesses to work with provincial licensing.

Using Private Parking Lots

• Private parking lots can be used for expansion with or without existing small inholding patios. No City indemnity insurance is required.
• Application to the City by way of a basic plan for consideration is still required.
• Application with drawing ensures no issues for Fire Department access to building and water (hydrant) per standards.
• Application to the City for any building permit required items proposed, decks, rails, tents, etc.
• Application is for City to suspend zoning bylaw requirements for number of private parking spaces during this program (to October 31, 2021), authorization to relax the parking requirement by a letter of approval on outdoor seating plan for private parking lot.

Using Public Parking Spaces/Public Property

• Approval is required for use of parking stalls in front of each business/building by that building business or owner. No approval is required for use of parking stalls in front of vacant buildings.
• Applications required for approval, using existing patio bylaw application process including use of space, any building code requirements (tents, fences, rails) insurance for City etc.
• Use of concrete no-post (or Jersey) barriers is permitted, provided there is no space between blocks to prevent children access to roadway. A layout plan is required.
• Administration will review reducing speed on Baker Street and perhaps other streets depending on applications, to 30kph until October 31, 2021 in areas with outdoor patios.
• Areas around outdoor patios will receive enhanced street sweeping through summer to reduce dust.

Application Forms & Requirements

Every effort will be taken by staff to expedite all applications made to the City as quickly as possible. Staff will be available to answer questions and help guide applicants through the process.

Downtown Seasonal Patio Permit Application
Seasonal Patio Guide
Downtown Seasonal Patio Amendment Bylaw No. 4039, 2021

Contact Info:
Paul Heywood, Building and Bylaw Services Manager
Phone:  250-489-0264
Email:  [email protected]