The City of Kingston’s Street Patio Program provides businesses with the opportunity to operate a serving or non-serving patio within public spaces, including on sidewalks and within on-street parking spaces. Street patios offer several benefits, including:

• More options for outdoor dining
• Greater seating capacity and employment opportunities
• More vibrant and attractive streets
• Increased tourism and economic growth
• Greater foot traffic near businesses
• More active, pedestrian-friendly spaces

Together, these spaces play an important role in creating a unique and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors.

Applying for a Street Patio

Download and review the Street Patio Standards and Application Guide befor you begin. It provides comprehensive details on the available options, approval processes, minimum standards, and operational requirements for street patios.

Download Application Guide

Getting ready to apply

Before you fill out the application form, you will need the following:

• Photos of the proposed patio location and surrounding streetscape
• Overhead patio plans
• Pictures of the patio furnishings and materials
• Stamped platform drawings (if applicable)
• Letters of support from the Downtown Kingston BIA or adjacent businesses (if applicable)

How to apply

Sign up/log in to MyKingston to complete your application online and ensure we can fulfill your request effectively. Require an alternate format? You can Contact Us.

Apply Now

Patio Types

Street patios fit into two broad categories: 

Sidewalk Patios

These are outdoor eating areas contained entirely on the sidewalk with no impact on on-street parking. Sidewalk Patios are ideal for businesses with sufficient sidewalk space in front of their building.

Pop-up patios

These are outdoor eating areas that use on-street parking spaces, or a combined use of on-street parking spaces and the sidewalk. Pop-up patios are ideal for businesses that do not have enough sidewalk space but are still interested in operating a patio during the summer months.

For each type of patio, there are two potential configurations businesses may apply for:

1. Café-Style Patio (sidewalk patio)
2. Frontage Patio (sidewalk patio)
3. Parking Space Patio (pop-up patio)
4. Patio with Pedestrian Bypass (pop-up patio)

Check the Street Patio Standards and Application Guide to learn more about each patio type and which option may be best for your business.

Public Seating

Through the Street Patio Program, businesses can apply to add public seating. This seating can be in the form of 1-2 benches or 1-4 small outdoor chairs directly in front of their business. Businesses are required to provide the product specifications of any benches or chairs and where they are planning to place them. A one-time fee is required for processing. Please contact Transportation Services at transportation@cityofkingston.ca for more information