Central Area Patio Permit Applications Now Open for the 2025 Patio Season

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Image of patio on Charlotte Street

Peterborough, ON – Applications are now open for the City of Peterborough’s annual patio program.

The patio program creates the opportunity for more patio and pedestrian space in the City’s Central Area.  

The program includes:

  • Allowing businesses on George, Water and Charlotte streets to use on-street parking spaces for additional outdoor business/patio space.
  • Maintaining the existing two vehicle travel lanes and cycling lanes on George and Water streets.
  • Reducing Hunter Street West to a one-lane, one-way street to expand pedestrian space and available patio areas.
  • Maintaining Charlotte Street as a two-way, two-lane street, while allowing for patios in on-street parking spaces through the patio permit process.
  • The use of decorative fencing and planters to delineate between the new pedestrian areas, expanded/on-street patios and vehicular traffic lanes.
  • The program has been expanded to allow businesses in East City along Hunter Street East to operate a patio on a portion of the city sidewalks.
  • A non-refundable $400 Application fee.

Patio licences are required for all individuals, partnerships or corporations that want to place a patio on City-owned property.

To apply for a patio licence, visit the City’s Application, Licences and Permits page for more information on the application process. Applicants can submit the application, permit fee and supporting documents through the City’s website.

Reduced speed limits will be put in place on streets with patios. Parking spaces, loading zones and designated waste pick up areas may be adjusted once patio locations have been confirmed with participating businesses.

Licence holders must put in place measures addressing accessibility needs of individuals. Business owners and patrons can contact the City with suggested modifications to the patio layouts that would improve accessibility. Where feasible, the City will work with licence holders to make the requested improvements.

Applicants who wish to have their patio licence ready for the Victoria Day long weekend should submit a complete application by April 1, 2025.  Applications received after April 1 will be installed based on availability of the Public Works Crews. The City will aim to install the patios within two weeks of an executed permit agreement.

The last day to apply for the 2025 Patio season is May 30, 2025.  

In February 2025, City Council approved maintaining the current insurance requirements for Downtown Patio Program participants at $2 million Commercial General Liability, except for patios licenced to serve alcohol, which would be required to have $5 million Commercial General Liability.

For general inquiries relating to outdoor patios on City-owned lands please contact Nicole Huculiak, Supervisor, Urban Design, at nhuculiak@peterbrough.ca or 705-742-7777 ext. 1654.