Local restaurants hit with increased patio fees in Ottawa

Fees for operating patio areas have gone up to pre-COVID-19 prices, meaning owners will be forced to incur more costs. CTV's Josh Marano reports.

With nice weather on the way, it’s starting to feel like patio season in Ottawa. However, for the owners of those restaurants, the summer fun is coming at an extra cost.

The city of Ottawa announced fees for operating patio areas have gone up to pre-COVID-19 prices, meaning some owners will be forced to pay thousands more than usual.

For Joe Catroneo, owner of Pub Italia, he says the increase came as a surprise.

“Patio fees basically from 2020 when Covid broke out to today, I was paying $6,000 a year roughly, and now they’re up to $8,000,” Catroneo said.

According to a statement, the city says it removed patio fees in 2020 to 2022, before reintroducing it at 50 per cent in 2023, then again at 75 per cent in 2024.

Catroneo says after paying for extra staff and other amenities, it will cost $20,000 for the year.

“I don’t think those patio fees should be anywhere close to that, for our part, that we do in beautifying the street,” Catroneo said.

The city says costs have been adjusted for inflation and comparisons to other municipalities of similar size and scope are considered for potential adjustments.

Restaurants pay a monthly rate per square metre, fees of $37.71 + HST in Toronto, $15 in Montreal and $15.91 in Ottawa.

Many owners used the lower prices to expand their seating areas, but now with prices back up, Catroneo is considering the possibility of scaling back.

“If I’m paying by the square meter, maybe instead of having x number, you know, 50 seats, maybe I’d be fine with 30 seats to try and cut that cost down,” Catroneo said.