You may wish to put a tent, awning or canopy over your outdoor patio to provide protection from the weather. This will allow your restaurant or bar to continue to serve outdoors during light rain. Depending on the size and type of tent, you may need to apply for a building permit.
Tents exempt from building permits
A tent or group of tents are exempt from building permits if they are:
- Not more than 60-metres-squared in aggregate ground area
- Not attached to a building
- Constructed more than three metres from other structures
View an example diagram of tents not requiring a building permit.
Tents requiring a Building Permit
Tents greater than 60 metres squared in area or aggregate area:
- Require a building permit
- Shall be located a minimum of three metres from any property line
- The tent will be required to be designed to handle area snow loads as per the Ontario Building Code. The Province recently introduced new sentence 4.1.6.14 into the Ontario Building Code for tents stating that: “Snow removal by mechanical, thermal, manual or other means shall not be used as a rationale to reduce design snow loads.”
Learn how to apply for building permit and view an example diagram of tents that require a building permit.
Tent requirements
You must follow these requirements when installing a tent on your patio.