Should Outdoor Restaurant Patios Become Permanent in Mississauga?
Official title: Beyond Indoor Dining
Mississauga wants to make outdoor restaurant patios a permanent option, not just a seasonal permit. Right now, restaurants can set up temporary patios from May to October on sidewalks and other public land. The city is creating a new by-law to streamline this process year-round.
Why This Matters
Love dining outside at your favourite local spot? This could mean more patio options year-round. Restaurant owners would have an easier path to expand seating. For neighbourhoods, it shapes how streets and sidewalks get used.
What Could Change
A new by-law would make outdoor patios an automatic right for licensed restaurants, not a seasonal permit. The current May-October restriction could be lifted. Permit fees are already waived until December 2025.
Key Issues
- Should outdoor patios become a permanent right for restaurants rather than requiring seasonal permits?
- How should the city balance restaurant expansion with sidewalk accessibility and neighbourhood impacts?
How to Participate
- Visit this consultation page to learn about the proposed changes and share your feedback.
- Email questions about the temporary patio program to temporarypatio@mississauga.ca.