Oakville outdoor patio program moves to full time status this year

Oakville diners can rest assured knowing they’ll be able to dine outdoors permanently.

After more than a decade of deciding outdoor dining permits on a case-by-case basis, the Town of Oakville announced the, the Seasonal Commercial Patio Program will become a permanent initiative on May 1.

“We are proud to continue to support our local businesses by creating a permanent patio dining program,” said Mayor Rob Burton.

“The program has created many opportunities for our BIA areas and brought vibrancy to our commercial districts. We can all look forward to the upcoming patio season for 2024 and beyond.”

Under this new program, the patio dining season will run annually from May 1 to Nov. 1. All patios and outdoor merchandising displays located on municipal property are required to have a valid permit from the town before installation.

To allow for the comprehensive and coordinated planning of on-street parking spaces for patio use in the upcoming 2024 season, the town is introducing an early application window for on-street patios.

From Feb. 26 to Mar. 22, applications can be submitted for those looking to use an on-street parking space. Applications for other patio types (i.e., those not requiring on-street parking conversions) will be accepted from March 22.

Since 2020, both patio permit and on-street patio parking fees were waived as part of the COVID-19 Commercial Recovery Initiative. In 2024, the town is re-instating patio permit fees at a reduced rate, keeping the program financially viable for participants and the town.

As part of the patio program, the town will implement signage and new temporary traffic calming/road safety measures near the patio area. These new measures are intended to improve the overall experience and safety for both drivers and diners.

For more information on patio configurations, application process, and fees, visit the patio permit page.