Cafe TO Operator Newsletter | May 2026
- Hillcrest Village BIA
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
May 2026 Update
This this e-mail is an update for CaféTO curb lane café program participants and BIAs.. This update provides useful information about the CaféTO program, including necessary information for your permit. Please take the time and read carefully.
Curb Lanes Cafe are Live!
Great news — the majority of curb lane cafés have been installed! If you have not received your permit, you need to submit your insurance information, legal agreement and pay your invoice. Get these in as soon as possible to maximize your time on the patio this season.
Before you can begin operating your curb lane café, two things need to be in place:
Traffic safety equipment for your curb lane café has been installed by the City of Toronto
You have your valid 2026 CaféTO Curb Lane Café permit in hand
Once both are confirmed, you're good to go!
We want to say a special thanks to the Road Ops crew for their support and hard work in successfully delivering the café installations ahead of schedule. We appreciate all the work that went into making this possible.
Temporary Accessible Platform
Temporary Accessible Platforms create a level surface and transition from the sidewalk to a curb lane café.
New operators and renewing operators who have made changes to their curb lane café sizes are required to submit detailed design drawings for review and approval by City staff. Once operators receive their official traffic plan, they maybe begin the design process. Temporary Accessible Platforms must be installed by June 1, 2026.
Staff will work with operators and are prepared to answer technical questions to facilitate approvals in advance of the June 1st deadline. Requirements are outlined on pages 14-17 of the Curb Lane Café Guidebook.
The Toronto Association of BIAs (TABIA) also have resources available on their website, including a list of 3rd party vendors and sample architectural drawings.
If you choose to operate your café before your temporary platform is installed, a ramp into your café MUST BE PROVIDED.
Information on ramps is available in Curb Lane Café Guidebook on page 22.
Waste Collection
Please leave your waste bins on the sidewalk in the gaps between curb lane cafés so they can be picked up from the road. Coordinate with neighbouring businesses and residents on placement, and label all bins with the corresponding address.
All waste — garbage, recyclables, organics, and yard waste — must be set out between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on the first evening of the night-time collection period.
AGCO Notification
Your CaféTO curb lane café permit serves as the City of Toronto's endorsement of your temporary curb lane patio for the sale and service of alcohol. As a permit holder, you're required to log into your AGCO online account and notify the AGCO of your permit. Detailed instructions are available here.
Bicycle locking ring parking and your café
CaféTO operators may temporarily limit access to a bicycle locking ring if the ring — or a parked bike — restricts accessibility to your café. If you need to take a ring out of service temporarily, you must notify the City. Temporary decommissioning can include coverings like bags or signage but must not damage or compromise the ring in any way.
Bike rings cannot be temporarily or permanently removed.
CaféTO Made Easier: New Short Videos
As we kick off the new CaféTO season, we’re excited to launch a new series of short CaféTO support videos for operators — check out our CaféTO Best Practices video for helpful tips and guidance to help set your cafe up for a successful summer season.
These videos are for educational purposes only.
All CaféTO applicants must review the 2026 CaféTO Curb Lane Café Guidebook and Chapter 742, Sidewalk Cafés, Parklets and Marketing Displays before applying for a CaféTO permit.
Key Dates
April 22nd – May 19th | Traffic safety equipment is installed by the City for approved CaféTO curb lane cafés | |
May 1st | CafeTO Curb Lane Café season begins | |
June 1st | Curb lane café temporary platform must be installed | |
October 1st – 15th | Curb lane café removals | |
Contact
We’re here to support you throughout the season. If you have questions, reach out anytime at CafeTO@toronto.ca
When communicating with the City, please use your business email address. If you no longer wish to receive these communications, please let us know at CafeTO@Toronto.ca
Thank you,
CaféTO
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