Sidewalk Use Licence

The City of White Rock allows for cafés, mercantile, or restaurant businesses to utilize the land in front of their business, provided the business qualifies for and obtains a Sidewalk Use Licence.

Does My Business Qualify to Use the Sidewalk?

Sidewalk Use Licenses may be approved for a business provided they are able to:

• Have no structure or display within 2.4m of the face of curb;
• Maintain a clearance of 1.5m away from any power/telecom pole, fire hydrant, manhole, bench, sign pole, pay stations or curb box; and
• Exits from the building must lead directly to the street without any impediment from displays or structures.

For business that are cafés or restaurants, they would also be required to:

• Have the area separated from the rest of the sidewalk by a guard rail not less than 0.9m in height;
• Design any structure for the area, including the guard, to be:
• Compatible with the colour, finish, form and character of the building; and
• Constructed in a manner that does not damage the City sidewalk and allows for removal with 72hours.
  
  

For detailed design requirements for your Sidewalk Use Licence please review in detail the White Rock Sidewalk Use Agreement Bylaw, 2017, No 2203

How Do I Apply for a Sidewalk Use Licence?

• Complete and submit an application form along with a site plan and front elevation drawings. If your application is for a café or restaurant the site plan will need to include:
  • Measurements of the proposed area;
  • Setback from curbs and other infrastructure;
  • Seating plan;
  • Entrance and exit from the adjacent buildings; and
  • All design elements including colours, decorative features and type of furniture to be used.
• If your application is for a mercantile business the site plan and front elevation drawings will need to include:
  • Measurements of the proposed area;
  • Setback from curbs and other infrastructure;
  • Entrance and exit from the adjacent buildings;
  • The number of display tables or racks; and
  • A list of items to be displayed.

In addition to the above documents required for your application you will need to:

• Provide and maintain $5,000,000 in a third party liability insurance policy with the City named as an insured party;
• Pay to the city a refundable damage bond; and
• Pay the Sidewalk Use Licensing Fees, as established in the Fees and Charges Bylaw

Once all documents have been received and approved, your licence will be issued to you. Once you have set-up your sidewalk area, you will be required to arrange for an inspection by City Staff.

What are the details?

Click here to view the full the Sidewalk Use Agreement Bylaw, 2017, No. 2203.

For additional questions or details please call 604-541-2139 or email licences@whiterockcity.ca