Ottawa City Council Votes to Waive Monthly Patio Fees this Summer
May 13, 2026 – CTV News
Restaurateurs in Ottawa will not have to pay monthly patio fees this summer as the city celebrates its 200th birthday.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe introduced a motion at Wednesday’s council meeting to cut the summer monthly patio permit rental rate from $16.49 per square metre to $0. Council approved the motion unanimously.
Any businesses that have already paid their summer patio fees will be reimbursed, according to the motion.
The 2026 budget increased the patio fee by 58 cents per square metre compared to 2025, but Sutcliffe said waiving the fee over the summer would help local businesses at a time when costs are rising.
