New fees of nearly $7,000 for businesses that use public land for year-round patios will go ahead this summer, after Edmonton city council voted 9-3 against a motion by Ward tastawiyiniwak Coun. Karen Principe to pause the increase for the 2026 season. Bars, cafés, and restaurants were previously allowed to operate large patios — ones without small furniture that can be removed nightly — at no charge. But that will change when annual fees of $3,700 for seasonal patios and $6,900 for year-long ones come into effect on April 1.
Administration noted during discussion of the motion that 90% of the 115 businesses that had such patios last year have already applied for a permit this year, while seven have cancelled their patios. The Hub on Whyte Avenue is among the businesses that will not open a patio this season, co-owner Peter Keith said when news of the fee first came out. The Hub is part of Scale Kitchens, an incubator of sorts for fledgling food brands to grow their customer base. Those businesses will now compete against nearby businesses that do have patios during the busy festival season. Across the river on 104 Street, Flavius Joita of Century Hospitality Group and Birdog told CityNews he may not open a patio this year.
Quinn Phillips of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association had urged council to waive the fees, noting the ongoing effects of inflation, tariffs, and the pandemic hangover on downtown restaurants. Her former boss, Puneeta McBryan, weighed in as well, saying the city has misjudged the effect on businesses while highlighting the dissonance between the fees and the city's ambitions for downtown vibrancy. But Coun. Anne Stevenson, whose Ward O-day'min includes downtown, said she was swayed by the fact that there hasn't been a significant drop in patio permits, adding that the city can make a bigger difference overall for businesses "if we're more disciplined and focused in our funding."