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City Accepting Applications for Expanded Patios

June 12, 2020
By Emma Meldrum

Cornwall Ontario – The Province of Ontario is allowing restaurants and bars to temporarily extend outdoor patio spaces to safely accommodate patrons and staff. This action supports hospitality sector workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

As a result of a provincial regulation change, licensed establishments may create a patio adjacent to their premise, or increase the size of their patio. This temporary measure will allow the public to safely enjoy service that meets social distancing requirements and other public health guidelines.

While the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will not require licenses to apply or pay a fee for these temporary extensions, licensed establishments must ensure they have municipal approval and meet all other applicable requirements. These measures will be in effect until January 1, 2021 at 3 a.m.

Bars and restaurants in the City of Cornwall can apply for the creation or extension of a patio by contacting Karl Doyle, Senior Planner with the City of Cornwall.

“I am happy to work with local restaurant owners to ensure that their plans meet safety and other municipal regulations,” said Mr. Doyle. “It is my goal to make the process as easy as possible and to expedite any approvals.”

To ensure staff can process applications efficiently, please include:

Address and contact information
Plan of patio, including number of tables and seats (consider using an aerial image from Google Maps)
If expansion is proposed, include the intended expansion along with the existing patio,
Indicate if a structure is being incorporated (for instance, a raised platform),
Timeframe,
Demonstration as to how bar/restaurant will comply with applicable provincial requirements, including physical distancing.

There is no cost for the above application. Restaurant and bar owners may also reach Mr. Doyle by phone at 613-930-2787 ext. 2365 for by email at kdoyle [at] cornwall.ca.

The City of Cornwall is also helping restaurants and merchants in the downtown and Le Village Shopping Districts by providing complementary 2 hour parking at municipal lots and on-street metered spots.

Additional Information

Ontario Extending Outdoor Patios to Allow for Social Distancing

Business Reopening Toolkit

Cornwall Economic Development has put together a toolkit to help businesses reopen. The toolkit includes guidelines and a maximum occupancy calculator along with signs and posters that can be downloaded and printed: