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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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Urban Planning
Café-Terraces Guidelines
Café-terraces have become a valued addition of Westmount streetscapes and bring vitality to the commercial areas during the summer months. A café-terrace may be established as an accessory to a restaurant or a retail food outlet. The café-terrace should be designed to reflect the quality of your store and should be made attractive.
Should you wish to open a café-terrace or renew your existing certificate of authorization, there are some guidelines that must be followed. These guidelines are designed to assist you.
Café-terraces may only be established on private property. It is important to respect the public domain and not to interfere with pedestrian movement.
Café-terraces may not be established in a side yard or in the rear of a lot or parcel of land adjacent to a residential zone. A minimum distance of one foot (0.3 metre) from the outer edge of the café-terrace must be maintained behind the public sidewalk.
All café-terraces must be cordoned off to prevent the tables and chairs from being moved onto city property, ensuring the free flow of traffic on sidewalks.
At all times, however, there should be continuity with the public space. The design approach should not result in the creation of a barrier. The use of bollards/ rope and/or movable planters are recommended and the design approach should give the impression of being part of the public space and not an extension of the building. As well, please note that:
- No permanent or anchored installations are allowed. The installation should be movable and should be as transparent as possible;
- Adequate clearance must be provided for entrances and public utilities. There should be an unobstructed width of at least one metre for the aisle between the entrance to the café-terrace and the restaurant or retail food outlet's doorway;
- If any underground utilities are located within the area of the café-terrace, access must be provided at all times.
Fencing supports may not penetrate the surface of the sidewalk unless prior authorization from the City has been obtained for exceptional circumstances. Café-terraces must be removed during the off-season.
The ground under the café-terrace must be level with the adjoining sidewalk and must be paved in concrete or masonry. The proprietor or lessee of a café-terrace must ensure that the terrace and its surroundings, including the city sidewalk, are maintained in a state of cleanliness. These areas must be washed daily.
Temporary planters are desirable but must be contained within the area of the café-terrace. Nothing may be attached to a City-owned tree or utility fixture.
Waste receptacles, in sufficient number, must be located out of the public’s way along the building’s façade or work stations.
Café-terraces may operate from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. as of April 1 until October 31. All equipment must be removed by November 1 annually.
The following activities are prohibited:
- Food preparation and the use of cooking equipment are prohibited outside the building;
- The use of any sound reproduction device;
- The installation of gas heaters;
- The presentation of live performances or music.
Residents living in close proximity to a café-terrace should be ensured a reasonable level of quiet.
To obtain an application form to operate a café-terrace, please come to the Urban Planning Department and bring a dimensioned layout plan of the proposed café-terrace, showing the tables and chairs, location of waste receptacles and how the café-terrace will be delineated. The application for the certificate of authorization must be signed by the building owner and the certificate must be renewed annually.
The certificate of authorization to operate the café-terrace may be withdrawn if all necessary conditions are not complied with. The certificate must be obtained before you open the café-terrace, and must be clearly posted.
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Last update:
Thursday, April 20, 2006
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