Red tape and patio fees: Halifax mayor bringing two motions to council on Tuesday

Halifax council will discuss patio fees for restaurants.

Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore is bringing two motions to council next week that seek to establish a feedback system on red tape in the municipality and reduce fees for restaurant patios.

Fillmore’s first motion, if passed, will direct the chief administrative officer to draft a staff report on options to set up a feedback portal, survey or other engagement tool for businesses to use to identify red tape.

“While broader economic challenges persist, municipal governments have a responsibility to examine where they can ease burdens and remove barriers within their own systems,” Fillmore’s motion reads.

Fillmore noted the municipality launched its first Business Satisfaction and Red Tape Reduction Survey in 2021, but claimed no subsequent engagement activities have been undertaken.

That survey polled 113 businesses but only 54 of them answered all the questions. The survey found 70 per cent of respondents felt the municipality’s regulatory environment needed improvements to cut down on red tape.

Their mains issues were:

• the time it takes the municipality to process an application
• understanding who to contact for support during the process
• understanding application requirements

“When it comes to the level of red tape businesses experienced in dealing with permit approvals, nearly 40% of respondents said they experienced a high amount of red tape for Building Permit approvals,” the survey reads. “Occupancy, Grade Alteration, and Permanent Sign approvals were also ranked with a high level of red tape.”

Fillmore’s motion notes Nova Scotia’s Office of Service Efficiency has a red tape feedback portal and Toronto recently introduced a red tape hotline.

“There is an opportunity for HRM to renew its focus on regulatory modernization and strengthen engagement with the business community to improve the local business environment during a period of significant economic uncertainty,” the motion reads.

Patio fees

Fillmore’s other motion for next week’s council meeting concerns sidewalk patio fees. He is seeking another staff report on options to reduce or eliminate those fees if feasible.

“As economic uncertainty continues, particularly with rising food prices, and with 81% of service restaurants reporting declining profitability according to Restaurants Canada, the municipality has a role to play in reviewing the fees it charges the hospitality industry,” Fillmore’s motion reads.

In the motion, Fillmore cited the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, which, in 2024, found Halifax charged $970 for sidewalk patio permits, the highest amount among Maritime cities, but still below Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and St. John’s.

According to the municipality’s website, the current patio fees in Halifax are:

• $350 for seasonal unenclosed cafes with no alcohol served
• $540 for seasonal enclosed small cafes (100 square feet maximum)
• $1,030 for seasonal enclosed cafes (larger than 100 square feet)
• $1,270 for annual sidewalk café

Brendan Doherty, co-owner of the Old Triangle in downtown Halifax, says he doesn’t mind paying the patio fee.

“I’d be happy to pay my fee and continue to have good transit and fixed potholes and good bike infrastructure, rather than saving a couple hundred bucks per year,” he said.

Seasonal cafes run from April 15 to Nov. 15, according to the municipality. Businesses are encouraged to apply for permits in January, February and March.

According to Downtown Halifax, there are 80 patio eateries in Halifax this season.

Council will vote on both of Fillmore’s motions at their Tuesday meeting.

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas

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