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.

In person

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.

By phone

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.

In person

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.

• PDF file Commercial terrace and parklet guide – LaSalle (in French) [PDF 3 MB]

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

Three 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.

Shared terrace

A shared terrace is a structure installed on public property, not for exclusive use by clients and jointly established by merchants and their association or a non-profit organization (NPO). It is used for food consumption purposes, without service, and alcohol consumption with meals. No occupancy fees apply to this type of terrace.

Applications for shared terraces must be submitted by February 1 to guarantee occupancy on April 15.

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.

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.

You can install a terrace:

• on a sidewalk, a parking lane or both.
• in front of an establishment or beside a corner store.
• in front of adjacent premises, under certain conditions.

However, it is prohibited to build a terrace:

• in a traffic lane reserved for buses.
• on a bike path, with the exception of the Express Bike Network (EBN) on Rue Saint-Denis.
• 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).

Universal accessibility

Your terrace must meet the following accessibility requirements:

• Furniture on 50% of the surface area adjacent to the ramp or access must be easy to move by one person so that persons with reduced mobility can be accommodated.
• Some 20 per cent of the seated places, and never less than one table, must be designed to allow access for people in a wheelchair.
• The access point to the sidewalk café, including the ramp for people with limited mobility, must have a minimum width of 1.2 m, must be located along the facade of the establishment it serves, and must not be adjacent to a traffic lane.
• If an access ramp is required, it must:
  • Have a maximum slope of 1:12 (5° or 8.33 per cent).
  • Be equipped with a railing on both sides and over its entire length.
  • Have bands with contrasting colours or textures, on top and on the bottom.
  • Be located within the sidewalk café.
  • Have a joint with a maximum height of 1.3 cm between the sidewalk or the road.
• A manœuvring area measuring at least 1.5 m in diameter must be provided for people with limited mobility, in front of the access point or the ramp and within the sidewalk café.
• Universal accessibility standards do not apply to a sidewalk café measuring less than 2.1 m in width. In this case, the sidewalk café must be level with a joint with a maximum height of 1.3 cm so that a person in a wheelchair can access it.

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

You must renew your permit annually.

For questions concerning zoning and and allowable structures in related to commercial certificates of occupancy: [email protected]

For questions concerning the conditions under which a sidewalk café may be set up on public property: [email protected]

• PDF file Guide to installing a sidewalk café on public property (in French) - Le Plateau-Mont-Royal [PDF 4 MB]

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.

Since 2023, you are permitted to install new types of terraces if you don’t have room for a standard terrace (sidewalk café):

• Common terrace: Jointly operated with other restaurants or drinking establishments.
• Terrace with three tables and 12 chairs.
• Shared terrace: Installed near stores, with no services and no food or alcohol sales permitted, though the public can use it to consume food or alcohol purchased in stores.

Your establishment’s commercial occupancy certificate must mention food service or the sale of alcoholic beverages as its activity, except if you install a terrace with three tables and 12 chairs as a grocer or caterer.

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 also view the interactive map. For explanations, please send an e-mail to our traffic team.

From April 1 to November 15.
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, or adjacent to a secondary facade.

If it is installed adjacent to a secondary facade, it must be at least four metres from a residential property limit.

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.

A terrace with three tables and 12 chairs is permitted on the sidewalk, between the pedestrian walkway and the curb. It must not extend into the road.

Adapted furniture:

• 50 per cent of the furniture must be easy to move by one person.
• 50 per cent of the tables must be designed to allow wheelchair access. The maximum table height must be between 0.7 m and 0.9 m. The tables must not have a central leg.

The terrace platform: 

• Must be on one level only, level with the height of the sidewalk and flush with the curb.
• Must be made of wood planks that are pressure-treated, stained, varnished or painted, and made from fibreglass, recycled plastic, or plywood with a regular surface.
• Must permit proper drainage from the surface of the terrace.
• Must be constructed in sections on the condition that the sections are attached to each other.
• Must have a closed bottom on all sides with the exception of a section permitting stormwater runoff alongside the curb.
• Must have an anti-slip surface with no removable cover.
• Must be bordered by a firmly-anchored railing or small wall measuring at least 1.1 m and no more than 1.8 m in width, with plants, and the railing must not be used as a shelf or furniture.

All the furniture on a terrace must be stored away when not in use and should not extend past the edge of the terrace, nor encroach on the pedestrian walkway or compromise the safety of residents.

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

• Be suited to the area spanned by the terrace.
• As much as 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.
• Completely cover the two lateral faces.
• Be decorated with natural vegetation.
• Be installed within the perimeter of the terrace.
• Include a silver-coloured reflective or fluorescent strip measuring at least five cm in width, installed at the top of the railing or around the entire periphery of the elements or accessories on the section of the terrace closest to the road.

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

The railing must also feature a natural vegetation component covering at least two-thirds of its perimeter.

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.

• PDF file Planning guide - Commercial terraces and parkets on public property - Le Sud-Ouest (in French) [PDF 907 KB]

By e-mail

• Règlement sur l’occupation du domaine public (voir art. 38 et suivants)

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 grocery store, 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 100 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.

In person

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.

In person

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.

If your certificate of occupancy doesn’t mention these uses, but you operate a commercial establishment or organization, you can install a parklet instead. Visit Apply for a permit to build a commercial terrace on public property to learn more about the permit application process.

Seasonal terrace

From April 15 to November 15.

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 100 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.

• PDF file Guide to Occupation Permits and Regulations for Sidewalk Cafés - Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie (in French) [PDF 6 MB]

This borough does not authorize commercial terraces on public property.

You can set up a terrace, a sidewalk terrace or a food and drink area on public property under certain conditions.

The certificate of commercial occupancy of your establishment must mention restaurant or fast food activity or sale of alcoholic beverages.

From April 15 to November 15.

The structure must be installed and removed between these two dates.

There are no restrictions concerning opening hours, unless there is a specific situation related to a conditional use authorization. However, excessive noise will not be tolerated outside the time slots that appear below.

• For facilities located on Rue Wellington or Boulevard LaSalle and the St. Lawrence River: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
• For all other areas: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

There is no maximum area, as long as all standards are met. Only an establishment with conditional use of a bar may have a limited area.

The structure must be located on the site of the establishment, but it may encroach in front of a neighbouring facade as long as the conditions of the site allow and the neighbour’s agreement is obtained.

Sidewalk terraces can encroach on no more than two metres towards the centre of the street. A space of a minimum width of 1.8 metres, on the sidewalk, must be free of obstacles between a building facade and a sidewalk terrace.

On Rue Wellington, the granite or concrete pavement line inserted into the sidewalk must not be punctured.

Structures on the street must not be less than five metres from an intersection.

Depending on the context, three types of structures are allowed:

• Terrace: Directly connected to the building façade This is allowable only when there is a public right-of-way between the façade and the sidewalk. 
• Sidewalk terrace: Separated from the facade by the sidewalk. A sidewalk terrace may or may not extend onto the street.
• Food and drink area: For establishments that do not have seating inside and that offer fast food prepared on site. A maximum of 12 places can be offered in a food and drink area.

For sidewalk terraces and food and drink areas in the street, a protective bin, in accordance with the requirements of the borough, must be installed at each end of the structure. When submitting your plans, we will inform you whether the borough is able to provide them.

Your structure must be accessible to people with reduced mobility. It must have a level access or access ramp with a minimum width of 1.2 m and a maximum slope of 1:12 (5° or 8.33 per cent).

There must be enough room for a person with reduced mobility to maneuver around easily. Part of the furniture must be removable and moveable by a single person.

The guardrail surrounding the installation must have a maximum height of 1.10 m. It must be made of black ornamental wrought iron, perforated over at least 50 per cent of its surface and be fixed to the ground with self-tapping screws (Tapcon type).

When a floor is authorized, it must be painted, dyed, level and have a sloping entrance so that it can be accessed by people with reduced mobility. Allowable colours are black, brown, grey, beige and natural wood.

Only umbrellas are allowed as sun protection. 

If you want to use other materials or another type of sun protection, please see the PDF document or contact the permit counter about approving a different structure.

You must have natural flowers on at least two-thirds of the length of the structure and on each side of the guardrail.

• There must be no noise outside the main building, including music.
• No additional parking must be required for the structure.
• Dance, theatrical or cinematographic presentations, concerts, shows, the use of sound devices and cooking food are all prohibited in the structure. 
• No advertising may be displayed on railings or umbrellas.

You must get a permit each year to set up a structure on public property. 

See the document below for applicable standards.

• PDF file Terraces, sidewalk terraces, food and drink areas and parklets (in French) [PDF 8 MB]

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 November 15. 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 universally accessible.

One table out of 20 must be able to accomodate 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, pergolas 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 plants 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. 

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.

• 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 15 to November 15.

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.