Rules for sidewalk patios introduced in Waterloo

The City of Waterloo has introduced new rules for sidewalk patiosUptown just in time for the summer season.

Ryan Mounsey, the manager of expansion and business retention services with the City of Waterloo said the guidelines were put in place because none previously existed.

"The city did not have any rules for patios prior to this," Mounsey said. "We have two major projects that are coming on stream on King Street. These are regional projects with the LRT and King Street Streetscape project."

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Mounsey said the city has identified seven patio districts including the stretch between Willis Way and William Street. There's alsoan opportunity on King North between Willis Way and Central Street. The city spoke to some businesses who would like to see licensed patios that would have seating that ranges between four and 12 people per patio.

Applications for the new Uptown Sidewalk Patio program are now being accepted and because the program is being piloted, the fees are cancelled for this year.

The results of the pilot will be evaluated at the end of the patio season on Oct.15. Any changes will be put in place for 2018.