Oakville seeks public input on enhancing patio dining program

While patio dining is in full swing, the Town of Oakville is planning ahead to enhance the program for future years. The town is seeking public input about maintaining a vibrant patio experience in public and private spaces. An online survey is available to the public until July 30, 2023, to get feedback on the availability of restaurant and café patio dining, ease of use, safety and accessibility.

The town is also engaging restaurant owners and staff, and other non-food businesses that are in the vicinity of restaurants, through customized surveys, one-on-one meetings and other engagement opportunities. 

All input collected will help shape a Permanent Seasonal Patio Program to be shared with Council in early fall 2023. The report will include recommendations to improve user experience, provide predictability on the size and positioning of patios, maintain safety and accessibility standards, and create a smoother permitting process.
 

Background 

• The seasonal patio dining program runs from May 1 to November 1, 2023 
• In 2023, the town issued 70 permits for temporary patios at restaurants, bistros and for outdoor displays
• Patios in on-street parking spaces require safety barriers to be installed at either end of the patio between the decking and the abutting parking space  

Quotes

“Oakville’s growing and vibrant patio scene makes outdoor dining more enjoyable for residents and visitors and supports local businesses. The town would like to hear from patrons, restaurateurs and their staff on how to make patio dining even more enjoyable, safe and accessible to all.”
- Mayor Rob Burton