Applications, Licences and Permits

COVID-19 Update - Interim Guidelines for Outdoor Patios and Sales Areas

New or Expanded Outdoor Patios

The City of Richmond Hill has implemented Temporary Use By-law 91-20 respecting new and/or expanded patios on privately-owned land. 

In addition, the following guidelines are applicable to new and/or expanded patios on privately-owned land. 

To establish a new or expanded outdoor patio the following must be complied with:

1. Permission from the landlord or Condominium Corporation as applicable;
2. Adherence to the Province’s Restaurant and Food Services Guidelines, including physical distancing requirements and any applicable directives from York Region Health (if applicable);
3. Maximum area of the outdoor patio is limited to the equivalent gross floor area of the premises to which it is associated with;
4. No more than 30% of the on-site parking spaces are displaced for an outdoor patio (see item 1 respecting permissions and the related coordination to ensure that the overall on-site supply of parking is not decreased by more than 30%);
5. Vehicular loading spaces/areas/bays are maintained;
6. Accessible parking spaces are maintained;
7. Established pedestrian or vehicular circulation on the site or through the site is maintained;
8. Appropriate protection/barriers are provided between outdoor patios from motor vehicular areas;
9. Fire routes are not obstructed;
10. Minimum setback(s) are complied with being the LESSER of:
    • 15 metres to properties that contain an existing single detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling OR, the closest building wall to a property that contains an existing single detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling; and,
    • Where a patio is located in an open area facing Yonge Street, the 15 metre setback noted above does not apply.

11. Compliance with the Ontario Fire and Building Codes (including ensuring that exits are not obstructed).

In addition, owners and operators of outdoor patios and dining areas are urged to consult and follow these patio safety tips. 

The Temporary Use By-law 91-20 will be extended by By-law 144-21 and will expire on January 1, 2023.

Municipal Letter of No Objection for New or Expanded Outdoor Patios – Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

 To make application for a Municipal Letter of No Objection for the purposes of new or expanded AGCO  licensed patios, please submit the following to planning@richmondhill.ca:

• Letter identifying the municipal address and unit number, if applicable, of the premises
• An email address at which we can communicate with you
• The gross floor area of the premises and the proposed gross floor area of the patio
• A Letter of Permission from the Landlord or Condominium Corporation as applicable
• Sketch depicting compliance with the Interim Guidelines (Items 3 – 11 above)

Please be advised that we will endeavour to respond to your inquiry within 3 business days.

To support our businesses, applicable fees have been waived.

Please be advised that these guidelines and the Temporary Use By-law do not apply to publicly-owned land.

Applications, Licences and Permits

Richmond Hill has a number of Applications, Licences and Permits, including:

• Building, Development and Roads
• Event Entertainer Application
• Event- Facility, Applications, Licences, Permits
• Festival and Events Application
• Freedom of Information
• Lottery Licence
• Marriage and Weddings
• Property Taxes
• Sign Permit