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Toronto · Bars, nightlife & patios

Licences and permits to open a sidewalk patio in Toronto

We found three licences, permits and registrations that can apply when you open a sidewalk patio in Toronto, starting with the Sidewalk Café Permit. They are handled by two different bodies: Municipal Licensing & Standards and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

One item is provincial rather than municipal — the Temporary liquor licence extension to a patio (AGCO, via City endorsement) — so expect to deal with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) as well as the City. The published application-plus-licence total for the Eating or Drinking Establishment licence (prerequisite) is $536.64. One has no fee listed on the page we reviewed.

The notes mention a zoning review and proof of $2,000,000 in liability insurance; those steps depend on other people's schedules, so they are worth starting early.

Requirements
3
Issuers
2
Provincial
1
Last verified
Oct 31, 2026

What you'll need

Last verified:

  1. 01Sidewalk Café Permit

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Required for outdoor eating areas on sidewalks served by a licensed eating or drinking establishment; applicants need a valid municipal food business licence, $2,000,000 liability insurance, photos and a site plan, and processing typically takes six to eight weeks.

    Fees as published

    • One-time application fee: $1,016.55 per application
    • Effective January 1, 2025 the square metre area permit fee is $44.14 + HST/sq m. No application or permit fees for small frontage cafés (no more than 0.8m x 5.5m with a 2.1 m pedestrian clearway) (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  2. 02Eating or Drinking Establishment licence (prerequisite)

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    A sidewalk café must be operated by a licensed eating or drinking establishment; a private-property patio also needs zoning compliance or building permit approval noted in the licence application.

    Fees as published

    • Application fee: $268.32
    • Licence fee: $268.32
    • Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $536.64
    • Renewal fee: $362.96 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified July 27, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  3. 03Temporary liquor licence extension to a patio (AGCO, via City endorsement)

    Provincial

    Issued by: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

    Establishments with an existing liquor sales licence can ask the City to support extending it to an outdoor patio within 10 m of the licensed area (May–October); sidewalk extensions are generally considered for festivals with street closures.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the municipality before opening.

FAQ

Sidewalk Patio (CaféTO) in Toronto: common questions

What licences do I need to open a sidewalk patio in Toronto?
Our list has three items: Sidewalk Café Permit, Eating or Drinking Establishment licence (prerequisite) and Temporary liquor licence extension to a patio (AGCO, via City endorsement). Confirm with the City of Toronto before opening.
How much do the licences cost to open a sidewalk patio in Toronto?
Published fees: Sidewalk Café Permit: One-time application fee: $1,016.55 per application; Effective January 1, 2025 the square metre area permit fee is $44.14 + HST/sq m. No application or permit fees for small frontage cafés (no more than 0.8m x 5.5m with a 2.1 m pedestrian clearway) (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026) Eating or Drinking Establishment licence (prerequisite): Application fee: $268.32; Licence fee: $268.32; Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $536.64; Renewal fee: $362.96 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified July 27, 2026). Fees change; check the linked page for the current amount.
Who issues these licences and permits?
City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards (Sidewalk Café Permit and Eating or Drinking Establishment licence (prerequisite)); Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) (Temporary liquor licence extension to a patio (AGCO, via City endorsement)).
Do I need anything from the Province of Ontario?
Yes. Temporary liquor licence extension to a patio (AGCO, via City endorsement) (the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)) is provincial. The City's pages reference it; apply with the provincial body directly.
How current is this information?
Each item was last checked against the linked page on October 31, 2026. Rules and fees change, so open the linked page and confirm with the issuer before you apply. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

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Next steps

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