A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.

Before you take steps to build a commercial terrace, check to make sure your establishment is located in a zone where doing so is authorized. Please schedule an appointment with the permit counter to find out.
Briefly explain your intentions so that we can help you design your project.

You can operate a commercial terrace from May 1 to October  31.

You can operate a terrace from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The terrace must not span an area greater than 50 per cent of the area inside the establishment (usually on the ground floor).

Specific provisions and restrictions concerning location apply to commercial terraces attached to properties on street corners.

There are two ways in which you can build your terrace, depending on the situation: 

• Between the façade of your establishment and the sidewalk.
• Between the sidewalk and the road. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road.

Your commercial terrace must not hinder movement for people with limited mobility. It must also be accessible to them. You are required to install an access ramp.

All wood must be painted or stained.
Only retractable umbrellas and awnings attached to the building are authorized when covering a terrace.
In-ground foundations or anchors are not authorized.
Any devices connected to the water, gas or electrical inlets must remain accessible.

An abundance of vegetation is desirable on a terrace. However, planters and flower boxes hung from railings must not hinder traffic.

It is prohibited to present dance or theatre shows, films and concerts on a terrace. Cooking food on a terrace is also prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Get a permit

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property.

Two types of commercial terraces are authorized in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame de-Grâce.

The standard commercial terrace (also called “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
To operate this type of terrace, your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.

This more modest variation cannot have more than six tables and 12 chairs. The consumption of food is permitted, but alcoholic beverages are not. Table service is not offered.
A commercial occupancy certificate is required to operate this type of terrace.
Whether you operate a standard terrace or a more modest one, this space is reserved for clients of the establishment.

Before you take steps to build a commercial terrace, check to make sure your establishment is located in a zone where doing so is authorized. Please go to the permit counter in your borough to find out.

You can operate a terrace from May 1 to October 31.

You can operate a terrace at the following times: 

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 
• Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight

• Your terrace must not encroach on the part of public property in front of a façade adjacent to the establishment. However, an encroachment in front of a façade adjacent to an adjoining commercial establishment may be authorized if the operator of that establishment and the owner of the building concerned agree to it in writing. If this is the case, the encroachment cannot exceed 25 per cent of the width of the façade on the establishment in question.
• A continuous pedestrian walkway with a minimum width of 1,5 m, including the sidewalk, must be kept clear and accessible at all times over the entire length of the terrace.
• You must provide at least one access opening on the terrace, with a minimum width of 1.2 m. Access openings to a building must not be obstructed, and a clearance with a minimum width of 1.2 m must connect this access opening to the existing pedestrian walkway.
• The minimum clearance required around a fire hydrant is 1 m; around a publicly-owned tree trunk, it is 50 cm; around any other street furniture (lamppost, parking meter, bench, signage post, etc.), it is 50 cm.

There are three ways in which you can build your terrace: 

• Between the façade of your establishment and the sidewalk.
• Between the sidewalk and the road. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road. 
• on the road

Your terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility. You must install an access ramp with a minimum width of 1.2 m and a maximum slope of 1:12 (or 5° or 8.33 per cent). In addition, your furniture must include at least one table for people with limited mobility.

• If you install a platform on the ground, it must be made of wood and be designed to ensure stormwater runoff. Except for access openings, it must have railings or planters all around. The platform, at any point, must not exceed a height of 30 cm in relation to the ground level. 
• All the structures must be placed on the ground. The pavement must not be pierced or removed. 
• Only the following furniture is permitted on a terrace: tables, chairs, umbrellas, waste bins, and potted plants or planters. 
• You must not cover your terrace with anything other than solidly anchored umbrellas large enough to cover a table for four people (maximum). 
• If you install a railing, it must be: 
• Si vous installez un garde-corps, celui-ci doit être : 
  • made of soldered ornamental steel, galvanized or  painted black
  • made of a soldered aluminium with an natural finish, anodized or painted black 
• The railing can vary in height from 85 cm to 97 cm.

The terrace must have an abundance of vegetation. Flower boxes hung from the railings must not hinder traffic. All plants on your terrace must be natural and no higher than 1.5 m from the ground or the road.

A commercial terrace cannot include the following elements:

• a mechanically assembled railing
• any material made of synthetic resin 
• any furniture with an inscription or an illustration depicting a commercial product, or any form of advertising other than that which may be authorized under other municipal by-laws 
• any furniture that obstructs public signage in part or in full
• the permanent installation of flags, banners or advertising signs
• the use of sound, heating or lighting equipment 

It is prohibited to present dance or theatre shows, films and concerts on a terrace. Cooking food on a terrace is also prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention a food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.

Building a terrace is authorized from April 1 to October 31.

You can operate a terrace:

• Sunday to Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Thursday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight

The platform and its structure must not be longer than the length of your establishment or property.

Specific provisions and restrictions concerning location apply to commercial terraces attached to properties on street corners.

The commercial terrace must be built in front of your establishment’s façade. It must not encroach on the sidewalk in front of a store adjacent to your establishment.
The terrace must be built between the pedestrian walkway on the sidewalk and the road. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road. You must leave a pedestrian walkway measuring 1.5 m in width.
Commercial terraces are authorized at ground level or on a raised platform, but in-ground foundations are prohibited.

Your commercial terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility. You can:

• lower the floor to build the terrace level with the sidewalk
• install an access ramp inside or outside the establishment
• build the terrace on two levels, by making the sidewalk portion accessible

You must also place a side table for people with limited mobility, if the furniture is made up exclusively of stools.

Select PVC-free materials that are solid, durable and designed for outdoor use. 
Free-standing umbrellas are authorized, but they must not extend beyond the perimeter of the terrace, nor should they hinder the visibility of signage. They must be solidly anchored.
In addition, installing a heating system is prohibited.

Planters must be placed in each corner of the terrace on the traffic side so as to protect against potential vehicle impact. The planters must contain only natural plants.
Each planter must weigh a minimum of 75 kg and be 0.5 m to 0.8 m in height. The borough provides planters free of charge.

It is prohibited to present shows, use sound equipment or cook food on a terrace. The use of electrical or gas-powered equipment is also prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.

Before you take steps to build a commercial terrace, check to make sure your establishment is located in a zone where doing so is authorized (Village des Rapides).

• Rue Centrale sector, between Avenue Alepin and 7^e Avenue
  • Maximum ten parklets or sidewalk cafés
  • Maximum two parklets or sidewalk cafés between two consecutive avenues

• Rue Édouard sector, between 5^e Avenue and 8^e Avenue
  • Maximum 6 parklets or sidewalk cafés
  • Maximum 2 parklets or sidewalk cafés between two consecutive avenues

The sectors are listed in Schedule 1 of By-law LAS-0060.

Occupancy period

Building and removing a sidewalk café is authorized between May 1 and October 15.

Business hours

You can operate your sidewalk café from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week.

During non-operating hours, furniture must be removed or secured with a padlocked chain inside the premises.

Location

You can install the sidewalk café only on a parking lane.

The sidewalk café must not exceed 50 per cent of the area occupied by the business to which it is attached.

Under no circumstances can a sidewalk café be built:

• at a stop sign
• in a bus or taxi lane
• on a bike path

Layout standards

The sidewalk café must:

• Be on one level, with no protrusions
• Have a platform at the same height as the sidewalk (wood, PVC or plywood boards)
• Have a maximum capacity of 1.2 m² per person (non-fixed seats) and one person per seat (fixed seats)
• Be able to accommodate at least one person with reduced mobility

If a ramp is required, it must be at least 1.2 m wide and have a maximum slope of 1:12.

Features of the sidewalk café must not exceed 1.07 m, with the exception of an umbrella.

Materials must be black, gray, brown, beige or natural for wood.

No plastic or PVC materials. The weight of the tables and chairs must be sufficient to prevent them from being blown over by the wind.

You must also install a protective planter along the side ends with reflective strips. The bin should contain natural plants. 

The sidewalk café must have at least one garbage can built into the construction.

The sidewalk café must not block a drain or cover a sump.

A sign maximum 0.1 m² in size, indicating the capacity of the sidewalk café and its status as a public place must be installed.

Restrictions

The following equipment is prohibited: Lighting, sound amplification or heating systems, coolers, tanks of combustible or flammable substances, vinyl, canvas or fabric.

It is prohibited to use sound equipment and present dance performances, theatre shows, film screenings, concerts and performances. Cooking or preparing food or drinks is also prohibited.

Posters, advertising or displaying a menu is prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

• By-law concerning occupancy of public property (in French)

Two types of commercial terraces are authorized in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal.

The standard commercial terrace (also called “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.

To operate this type of terrace, your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention a restaurant, café, bar or craft brewery as its activity.

This more modest variation cannot have more than three tables and 12 chairs. The consumption of food is permitted, but alcoholic beverages are not. Table service is not offered.

A commercial occupancy certificate is required to operate this type of terrace.

Whether you want to install a standard terrace or a more modest one, you’ll need to meet the same layout standards.

Before you take steps to build a commercial terrace, check to make sure your establishment is located in a zone where doing so is authorized. Please find out by e-mail.

Flexible rules in 2022

To help out restaurants and bars as they resume their activities, the borough is making its rules for café-terraces more flexible this season: 

• Cafés and restaurants will be allowed to put up terraces on residential streets.
• Cafés, restaurants, bars and microbreweries which cannot accommodate 24 seats in front of its main facade, will be allowed to put up terraces on the corner of a residential street that is adjacent to a commercial street as long as there is a four-metre distance from the property line of a residential zone.

In both cases, the maximum total capacity is 24 seats.

Building a terrace is authorized between April 15 and November 15.

In an area with greater commercial intensity than C.2, business hours are: 

• 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday to Thursday
• 7 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday

In areas with low commercial intensity (C.2), residential areas or extensions of residential streets, authorized business hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

There are two ways in which you can build your outdoor space:

• Between the sidewalk and the road. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road. 
• On the road.

However, it is prohibited to build a terrace:

• in a traffic lane reserved for buses.
• on a bike path.
• less than five metres from an intersection.

Layout standards in the Plateau-Mont-Royal are meant to ensure that commercial terraces are welcoming, safe and accessible to people with limited mobility.

To learn more about the  requirements to meet – area, clearance, authorized materials and furniture, inclusion of plants, height of elements, etc. – please view the layout guide (in French).

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 

You must renew your permit annually.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.

Before you take steps to build a commercial terrace, check to make sure your establishment is located in a zone where doing so is authorized. Please schedule an appointment with the permit counter to find out.

From April 15 to November 1 
The terrace must be built and removed within the period mentioned above.

You can operate a terrace:

• Sunday to Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight

The commercial terrace must be located in front of your establishment.
Special provisions and location restrictions may apply.

You must build your terrace between the pedestrian walkway on the sidewalk and the road. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road.

Your terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility. You must install an access ramp and provide an adapted table. You must also ensure that a wheelchair can move freely within the space.

The terrace platform must: 

• be on one level only, level with the height of the sidewalk and flush with the curb
• be made of wood or recycled plastic batten
• allow for proper drainage 
• be solid and weather-resistant
• have an anti-slip floor, and not a removable cover 
• have a railing all around or a solidly anchored and vegetated sleeper wall, which must measure between 1.1 m and 1.8 m in width and must not serve as a shelf or furniture

If your terrace is build on the road, you must place a protective planter on the street side. 
This planter must:

• as much possible, limit the projection of pieces or parts in the event of an impact 
• weigh more than 75 kg 
• measure between 0.5 m and 1.1 m in height
• have a minimum thickness of 0.5 m
• be difficult to knock over
• be solidly anchored to the platform and railings 
• be made of wood, steel or decorative concrete and harmonize with the terrace

Planters must have natural plants, which you are required to water, maintain and replace, if necessary.

It is prohibited to present dance or theatre shows, films and concerts on a terrace. Cooking food on a terrace is also prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

View the document (in French) to learn more about the standards applicable in the Sud-Ouest.

This borough does not authorize commercial terraces on public property.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.

Before you take steps to build a commercial terrace, check to make sure your establishment is located in a zone where doing so is authorized. Go to the permit counter to find out.

You can operate a terrace from April 1 to October 31.

You can operate a terrace during your establishment’s business hours.

The terrace must not span an area greater than 50 per cent of the area inside the establishment (usually on the ground floor).

Specific provisions and restrictions concerning location apply to commercial terraces attached to properties on street corners.

There are two ways in which you can build your terrace:

• Between the façade of your establishment and the sidewalk.
• Between the sidewalk and the road. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road.

Your commercial terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility.

All wood must be painted or stained.
Only retractable umbrellas and awnings attached to the building are authorized when covering a terrace.
An in-ground foundation is not authorized.

An abundance of vegetation is desirable on a terrace. However, planters and flower boxes hung from railings must not hinder traffic.

It is prohibited to present dance or theatre shows, films and concerts on a terrace. Cooking food on a terrace is also prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service, the sale of alcoholic beverages or the sale of food as its activity.

You can operate a terrace from April 15 to October 30.
The terrace must be built and dismantled during this period. No equipment must be left on site or outdoors after the permit expiry date.

You can operate a terrace from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The terrace must be built in front of your establishment’s commercial façade, or on the side of the building if it is not possible to build it in front of the façade,
Your terrace must not encroach on the part of public property in front of the façade on an adjacent building, except if its owner agrees to it in writing. If this is the case, the encroachment cannot exceed 30 per cent of the width of the façade on the establishment in question.
Along the terrace, leave the sidewalk free over a width of 1.5 m to allow pedestrian traffic.
If the terrace is built close to an intersection, it must be 5 m or more from the roadside curb at the intersection.
Leave the building entrances and exits (doors, stairs, emergency exits, etc.) accessible at all times, and provide a walkway measuring 1 m in width between these entrances and exits and the area used for pedestrian traffic.
The terrace must be 1 m or more from a fire hydrant and 50 cm from any other street furniture (lamppost, post, etc.) or publicly-owned tree.

There are three ways in which you can build your terrace, depending on the situation: 

• Between the façade of your establishment and the sidewalk.
• Between the sidewalk and the road. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road.
• On the road.

Your commercial terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility.

All structures (posts, railings) must be level with one another and placed on the ground. Piercing the ground or removing pavement is strictly prohibited under any circumstances.
If you built a platform, it must be made of wood or recycled plastic, must allow for stormwater runoff, and must have a railing around it measuring between 85 and 110 cm in height. No structure can be higher than the railing.
You must use solid and durable materials designed for outdoor use.
Tables and chairs must be heavy enough not to blow over in the wind.
Outside of business hours, you must store the furniture in such a way that it cannot be used, does not extend beyond the authorized perimeter, and does not compromise public safety.
Waste bins must be placed within the authorized occupancy perimeter.

The terrace must feature natural plants along the full length of the railing or sleeper wall, or arranged in planters on the ground, affixed to the terrace. They must not be a nuisance in the public space.
In addition, you must install a protective border around any publicly-owned tree inside or near the terrace, and ensure that an area of 2 m² around the tree is kept clean.

Your terrace must not have:

• a fixed shelter (for example, a wooden pergola)
• a flag, sign, or advertising banner
• umbrellas with a commercial logo
• furniture made of synthetic resin
• electric or gas-powered equipment (cooking outdoors is prohibited)

The presentation of shows, plays, music, etc., on a terrace is prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment must be a restaurant, snack bar, lunch counter or grocery store.

You can operate a terrace from March 15 to November 15.

You can operate a terrace at the following times:
● 8 a.m. to midnight for restaurant and café terraces
● 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for grocery store terraces

The terrace must be located in front of your establishment’s  commercial façade. It must not encroach on the part of public property in front of the façade on an adjacent building, except if its owner and the operator of the establishment in question agrees to it in writing. If such is the case, the encroachment must not exceed 30 per cent of the width of the façade on the neighbouring establishment.
Along the terrace, leave the sidewalk free over a width of 1.8 m to allow pedestrian traffic.

Your terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility. You must install an access ramp with a minimum width of 1.2 m and a maximum slope of 1:12 (or 5° or 8.33 per cent), and leave a space to maneuver of 1.5 m in diameter on the terrace. In addition, your furniture must include at least one table for people with limited mobility.

Your terrace must have a railing or a sleeper wall, made of metal or wood, with a maximum height of 0.9 m measured from the floor.
You must install a protective planter at each corner of the terrace if it is adjacent to a public road. The planters must be between 0.5 m and 0.8 m in height, weigh a minimum of 75 kg, have reflective bands, and contain natural plants.
The terrace may be covered with an umbrella or a removable protective system that is solidly anchored and made of flexible canvas and that does not extend beyond the terrace area. The umbrella or removable protective system must not not feature any commercial product logo.
Retractable walls are prohibited.
No element of the terrace may be affixed to public property.

The terrace must feature natural plants, which must be placed along the full length of the railing or sleeper wall, or arranged in planters on the ground, affixed to to the terrace on all sides, except the side adjacent to the sidewalk, or adjacent to the road in the case of a terrace occupying the sidewalk only.

Food must be prepared and cooked inside the restaurant. In the case of a grocery store, the food and beverages consumed on the terrace must be from the grocery store.
Only the type of consumption indicated on the commercial occupancy permit is authorized on the terrace.
The adjacent sidewalk must remain accessible over a minimum width of 1.8 m.
Your commercial terrace must not be located on reserved bus lanes or inside a bus stop zone. You must also comply with the minimum clearance requirements in relation to street  furniture (lamp posts, public benches, etc.), traffic lanes, and trees. 
The terrace must not obstruct the building’s emergency exit.

On a commercial terrace, you cannot: 

• display products
• post advertising displays
• install speakers and sound systems pointing towards the exterior of the building

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

This borough does not authorize commercial terraces on public property.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.
It must also mention a use as a commercial terrace.

Before you take steps to build a commercial terrace, check to make sure your establishment is located in a zone where doing so is authorized. Please schedule an appointment with the permit counter to find out.

You can operate the terrace from May 1 to October 31.

The terrace must not span an area greater than 50 per cent of the area inside the establishment (usually on the ground floor).

Your commercial terrace must not hinder movement for people with limited mobility.

It is prohibited to present dance or theatre shows, films and concerts on a terrace. Cooking food on a terrace is also prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service can be provided.

In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Seasonal and pop-up terraces

Seasonal terraces are permitted throughout the summer season. Temporary (pop-up) terraces are permitted throughout the year.

If you install a pop-up terrace, a maximum of three tables and six movable chairs are allowed. Furniture must be installed on the part of the sidewalk located between the street and pedestrian walkway. It must be removed each night as well as during snow removal operations and when abrasives are being spread.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.

Seasonal terrace

From May 1 to October 31.

Pop-up terrace

Throughout the year, with certain conditions.

Seasonal terrace

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight

Pop-up terrace

• From 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., every day.

Seasonal terrace

There are two ways in which you can build your outdoor space:

• Between the sidewalk and the road.
• On the road, in a parking space.

Specific regulations apply on Avenue Shamrock and Plaza Saint-Hubert.

The terrace must not encroach on the part of public property in front of the façade on an adjacent building, except if its owner agrees to it in writing. If this is the case, the encroachment cannot exceed 25 per cent of the width of the façade on the establishment in question.

Pop-up terrace

You can only locate the terrace along the curb, i.e., on the sidewalk, between the pedestrian walkway and the road. An obstacle-free pedestrian corridor at least 1.5 m wide must be maintained at all times.

Your commercial terrace must be accessible to persons with reduced mobility and offer at least two spaces for them.

Universal accessibility is a priority in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, so our teams will be conducting careful inspections.

To find out more about specifications, including area, clearance, universal accessibility, authorized types of materials and furniture, plans and maximum height, see the development guide below (in French).

Shows, sound systems, electrical or gas-fuelled equipment and cooking food are all prohibited on terraces.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

This borough does not authorize commercial terraces on public property.

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service can be offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity.

You can operate a commercial terrace from April 15 to October 15. Equipment should not be left on site outside of this period.

You can operate your terrace at the following times:

• Every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for terraces on Rue Wellington and terraces between  Boulevard LaSalle and the St. Lawrence River 
• Every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for all other areas

Noise will not be tolerated outside of these hours.

The area spanned by the terrace must be consistent with the width of the commercial façade, though it can vary based on the space available.

The terrace must be located on the same property as the establishment to which it is attached or must be an extension of it.
Along the terrace, leave the sidewalk free over a width of 1.8 m to allow pedestrian traffic.

• Between the façade of your establishment and the pedestrian walkway on the sidewalk. This is only possible if there is a public right-of-way.
• Between the pedestrian walkway on the sidewalk and the road, notably on Rue Wellington. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road.

Your terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility.

The terrace, at a maximum height of 1.10 m, must be made of black ornamental steel and affixed to the ground using self-tapping screws (Tapcon-type).
When a floor is permitted, it must be painted, stained, and level, and it must have an access ramp for people with limited mobility.
If you wish to use other materials, please mention it at the permit counter.
If your terrace extends onto the road, you can either build the floor yourself or rent one from the borough.

Natural flowers must be placed along at least two-thirds of the length of each railing section.

• Making noise, including in the form of music, is prohibited outside the main building.
• No additional parking spaces may be required for the terrace.
• It is prohibited to present dance or theatre shows, films and concerts on a terrace. Cooking food on a terrace is also prohibited.
• The terrace, railings or umbrellas must not feature any form of advertising.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.

Please view the Info-Permis sheet (in French) to learn more about the standards applicable to building a terrace.

Commercial terraces (also known as “sidewalk cafés”) are open-air structures or arrangement of chairs and tables.

They allow:

• Restaurants, caterers and bars to serve food and/or alcohol outdoors.
• Grocery stores with a maximum of three tables and 12 seated spaces to serve food outside by designing a space that also has a maximum of three tables and 12 seated spaces.

In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Before you take steps to build a commercial terrace, check to make sure your establishment is located in a zone where doing so is authorized. Please contact us by e-mail, by mail or by appointment at the borough’s permit counter.

You can operate a terrace from March 15 to October 31. No equipment may be left on site outside this period.

You can operate a terrace seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

If parking meters or street furniture (bicycle racks, fire hydrants, ashtrays, etc.) are located in or near the area where your terrace is to be built, you must inform us of this when you apply for your permit.

In general, the terrace should not exceed the facade of the establishment to which it is attached.

If neighbouring properties include a commercial space on the ground floor, the café-terrace can extend past the facades of adjacent buildings.

In this case, the occupants of neighbouring buildings must give their consent.

The terrace is generally set back from the building, except on a pedestrian street.

The terrace is built between the pedestrian space on the sidewalk (leave a minimum width of 1.8 m) and the road. The terrace can cover part of the road.

Special provisions and location restrictions may apply.

Your commercial terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility at all times.

One table out of 20 must be high enough for a person in a wheelchair.

Special provisions and material restrictions may apply depending on the sector.

Various materials may be used, but any wood must be painted, stained or oiled.
Only free-standing umbrellas and dual-pitch awnings made of flexible canvas are authorized to cover a terrace.
Piercing the ground on public property is prohibited.

You must put natural flowers on a minimum of 20 percent of the perimeter of the terrace. However, planters and flower boxes hung from railings must not hinder traffic.

Dance, film or theatrical presentations, concerts, shows and the use of sound equipment are prohibited. 

It is also prohibited to cook food or set up coolers or trash cans. 

Propane tanks and accessory heaters that need a mobile or unmovable accessory combustible source are also prohibited. However, electrical heating and electrical systems are allowed if the terrace adjoins the building.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property.

Submitting your complete application at the beginning of the year will allow us to study your file and issue your permit as soon as possible so that you can start installing your deck as soon as possible

Fees for analyzing the file and the permit rates are applicable as stipulated in the Ville-Marie borough’s By-law concerning fees.

See the 2022 planning guide for filing an application.

• Règlement sur l'occupation du domaine public - Ville-Marie

A commercial terrace (also called a “sidewalk café”) is an open-air arrangement of tables and chairs where alcohol and food are served, and table service is offered.
In order to build a terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property, you must meet certain standards.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service, the sale of alcoholic beverages or the sale of ice cream as its activity.

In certain cases, a terrace project must be submitted to the urban advisory committee, which can issue an unfavourable opinion.

You can operate a commercial terrace from April 1 to October  31.

You can operate a terrace from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. In some commercial areas, these hours are extended from  9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The terrace must not exceed the width of your establishment’s façade.

You must comply with the minimum clearance requirements in relation to urban furniture.

There are three ways in which you can build your terrace, depending on the situation: 

• Between the façade of your establishment and the sidewalk.
• Between the sidewalk and the road. In this case, the terrace can extend onto the road.
• On the road.

When the terrace is built between the pedestrian walkway on the sidewalk and the road, or on the road close to an intersection, it must be 5 m or more from the roadside curb at the intersection in question.

Your terrace must be accessible to people with limited mobility.

Please check with the borough regarding the provisions specific to urban furniture and materials.

The terrace must feature an abundance of plants and be kept clean and in good condition.

It is prohibited to present dance or theatre shows, films and concerts on a terrace. Cooking food on a terrace is also prohibited.

A permit is required to build a commercial terrace on public property. 
You must renew your permit annually.