The City of St. Catharines is helping restaurants, bars and food establishments get their seasonal patios up and running for the start of patio season.
Applications are open for the City’s new Seasonal Temporary Commercial Patio (STCPatio) Program to support businesses wanting to expand their service areas outside with temporary patios for the upcoming season.
St. Catharines City Council recently approved the amalgamation of the City’s Temporary Outdoor Patios During COVID-19 Recovery and the Sidewalk and Curbside Patio programs to create a new program offering one annual application supporting STCPatios on both municipal and private property.
“Permitting temporary extensions of commercial patios in St. Catharines has been vital to the increased operation and overall survival of businesses across St. Catharines,” says Brian York, Director of Economic Development and Government Relations. “The STCPatio Program is an exciting addition to programming and attractions across St. Catharines while supporting locally owned businesses through expanded service areas during patio season.”
Businesses can review program requirements and design guidelines as well as complete and submit applications at www.stcatharines.ca/stcpatios. Businesses must submit a site-plan sketch and a copy of their Refreshment Stand / Restaurant Business Licence in good standing. Some of documentation, such as a certificate of insurance and liquor licence, may also be required based on the proposed patio location. All applicants are required to submit a full application with supporting documentation for the 2023 patio season.
Approved STCPatios will be permitted to operate from April 1 to October 31. Applications will remain open throughout the entire season. Once submitted processing and review will take 10-15 business days.
For more information, contact temporarypatios@stcatharines.ca.
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