Main Street Pedestrian Area Permits
Main Street Pedestrian Area 2023
The seasonal pedestrianization of Main Street is a temporary measure from May 8 until Oct. 11, 2023, to create opportunities for community connection, vibrancy, and to create space for residents and visitors to spread out and enjoy the downtown core.
To ensure that a permit is processed in time for the Main Street closure, Main Street Pedestrian Area (MSPA) Permit applications with all required documentation must be submitted by April 17. Applications will be accepted after April 17, but it is not guaranteed to be processed in time for the closure start-date. This does not include processing times for any outstanding additional permits (e.g. Building Permit). Incomplete applications will not be accepted, and resubmission will be required. Payment will be required prior to the review of any application.
Solid structured patios require an In-Street Patio Permit, only. A solid structured patio is considered a platform that exceeds 600mm in height above grade requiring a guardrail - i.e. an enclosure. For more information, and to apply, visit www.canmore.ca/patiopermits.
Businesses wishing to use the Activity Zone (see Figures 1 and 2 below) solely for the purpose of signage are to connect directly with the Planning Department and are not required to obtain a Main Street Pedestrian Area Permit.
Permit Fees
Post-and-Cable Patio*: $400
Other Set-Ups**: $200
* Post-and-cable patios are only available to food and beverage establishments.
** Other setups may include public seating areas, parklet, planters, pergolas or gazebos, and retail industry setups such as temporary canopy tents or outdoor display and directional signage for the sale of products.
These fees do not include the cost of any additional permits or licenses required for the patio or setup, such as a Building Permit.
Permit Conditions
The following conditions will provide you with information in support of making your ideas for the space a reality, and to provide details for the permitting process. Any businesses located within the Downtown Canmore Business Improvement Area (Downtown BIA), including second floor operations, can apply for an MSPA permit. Business within the larger BIA may also apply with conditions.
Note: Vehicles are prohibited from using the roadway between May 8 and Oct. 12; the section of roadway is referred to as the Pedestrian Area. The parking stalls within this area are referred to as the Activity Zone.
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All MSPA Permit holders must abide by the Main Street Pedestrian Area Permit Conditions. The only exception to requiring an MSPA Permit are food and beverage establishments with solid-structured patios, i.e., an enclosed patio with platform within the Activity Zone (Figure 1), which requires an In-Street Patio Permit. Please click here for more information and to apply
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The only exception to requiring an MSPA Permit are food and beverage establishments with solid structured patios, i.e., enclosed patio with platform, within the Activity Zone (Figure 1), which requires an In-Street Patio Permit. Please click here for more information and to apply.
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Contravening these conditions could result in the rejection of the application or revoking of the permit and may be subject to penalty under Bylaw 2021-11.
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All applicants must hold a valid Town of Canmore business license to be approved for an MSPA Permit.
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For safety and accessibility, the Sidewalk Zone must be kept free of all obstructions. This includes, but is not limited to, signage, displays, cables crossing the sidewalk regardless of cable covers or other mitigation tactics, etc. Refer to Figure 1 for Sidewalk Zones.
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A new Occupancy Load Permit must be obtained prior to the opening of any new MSPA-delineated patios or seating areas, or if there have been changes to a business’s previously permitted patio or seating area. To book a review, click here. It is recommended that this be done 30 days in advance of the anticipated opening date.
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Any post-and-cable patio, signage, or other setups that have been erected as part of a MSPA Permit must be removed from Main Street prior to 12 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2023.
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Businesses located within the larger BIA zone, including second floor operations, can apply for unoccupied Activity Zones and must provide the following with their application:
a. A letter of support from property owner and the owner(s) of the Main Street-facing business in front of which the parking stall is located.
b. Confirmation that they will operate from this location for a minimum of four days a week during the closure – e.g., from May 16 until Oct. 11.
- Accepted usage of the Activity Zone includes post-and-cable delineated patios for food and beverage establishments; other setups such as public seating areas, parklet, planters, pergolas, or gazebos; and retail industry setups such as temporary canopy tents or outdoor sales display and directional signage for sale of products.
- A wooden curb ramp to improve accessibility from the Activity Zone to your business can be constructed and installed and will make your use of the street more inclusive. Temporary ramps are to meet building code requirements and a Building Permit is required.
- Business use within the permit holder’s Activity Zone cannot exceed the boundaries outlined by the Town of Canmore. This boundary is up to, but not including the painted white line. For safety, umbrellas cannot hang over the perimeter of any post-and-cable patio or other set-up.
- All setups within the permit holder’s Activity Zone must maintain distance from the curb for drainage access – i.e., no obstruction to the curb and gutter. It is the permit holder’s responsibility to ensure this space is clear of debris.
- Where use extends past the applicant’s own frontage, written permission must be obtained from affected neighboring business owners and property owners. Copies of all written permission must be provided as part of the application process. Emails will be accepted.
- A Building Permit is required for any tent or collection of tents or pergola exceeding 10 square meters, or if the structure is large enough that there could be shoppers and/or a cashier station within. The structure would then be required to meet all aspects of building code, including anchorage, wind resistance and fabric fire resistance rating. A Building Permit is also needed for any structure that could impact street drainage.
- Umbrellas setup for shade do not require a Building Permit but must be safely secured.
- Any setups must be safely secured to withstand the effects of wind or being knocked over by other forces. For example, posts, tents, and similar structures must be weighed down with weights or sandbags as per the building code. Tying structures to one another as a means of weighing down is prohibited.
- Setups must not be permanently affixed to the road surface. Spiking, drilling or otherwise permanently affixing structures into town infrastructure is prohibited.
- Any requirements to obtain an AGLC license, adherence to AHS, or any other relevant legislation and requirements are the sole responsibility of the business.
- Liquor can only be served in clearly delineated patio areas for which all required licensing and insurance have been obtained. Please consult with the AGLC and your insurance company on any expansions to your liquor service areas.
- Directional signage is permitted under the Main Street Pedestrian Area Permitting process and may not require a Development Permit from Planning.
- Businesses wishing to use the Activity Zone solely for the purpose of signage are to connect directly with the Planning Department and are not required to obtain a Main Street Pedestrian Area Permit.
- Temporary signage in the Activity Zone may require a Development Permit from Planning and must comply with the Town of Canmore's signage standards. Signage that does not adhere to the signage standards is prohibited. Note that such signs as a-frames are prohibited, regardless of their outdoor location.
- Lineups are to be organized on private property or within the Activity Zone, marked by slip-resistant, non-permanent markers indicating line-up and spacing guidance. Lineups are not permitted on the Sidewalk Zone.
- All setups must be cleaned and swept daily. The Town of Canmore’s Streets and Roads Department will do weekly sweeping with the sweeper truck every Friday morning, but will not clean out areas where there are items or objects in the street such as patios, planters etc.
- Maintenance to sidewalk, curb, and gutter; concrete pavers, and asphalt are necessary activities performed by the Town of Canmore. The town will endeavour to provide a minimum of two business days’ notice to permit holders of any scheduled street or sidewalk maintenance within the Main Street closure area. Efforts will be made to plan this work outside of busy times; however, weather, contracted services, materials, and staff availability can impact service delivery and planning.
- Generators on the public right-of-way.
- Food trucks or trailers are not permitted as per the Traffic and Road Use Bylaw 2020-03. Food and beverage carts – e.g., human- or bicycle-propelled – will be considered on a case-by-case basis if associated with a business within the closure zone.
- Buskers: Businesses may request that their property be added as an approved busking location by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with letters of support from adjacent business owner(s). Buskers must obtain a valid Busker business license to perform at approved locations.
- From 10:00 a.m. until the end of the Canada Day parade on July 1, all umbrellas, flags, banners, and visual barriers must be removed from the outdoor setup to ensure adequate site lines for patrons and for the safety of parade participants and animals.
- Businesses must secure all necessary and appropriate insurance for the extended business premises within the outdoor area.
- Indemnify the Town of Canmore against all claims of any kind arising from any negligent act either by the permit holder or the permit holder’s agents.
- Town of Canmore must be included as additionally insured for all outdoor setups on Main Street. A certificate of insurance must be included in the application with a minimum of five (5) million dollars of per incident in liability insurance and state the period of coverage by the insurance policy, i.e., commencement date and expiration date of policy. If requested, the Town of Canmore's address is Town of Canmore, 902-7th Avenue, Canmore, AB T1W 3K1
- Retailers who remove their outdoor setup every night may qualify for coverage of two (2) million dollars in per incidence liability insurance. To inquire, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before submitting your application.
- Vehicles can access the closure area for the purpose of installing a business’s MSPA permitted setup commencing May 11, and for tear-down until noon on Oct. 11.
- Access is not intended for general business purposes, such as regular deliveries, operations, or construction.
- Access and egress are by way of 7 Avenue.
- Barriers are to be managed by the driver and must be kept closed at all times.
- Speed limit is 10km/hr. Motorists must yield to pedestrians and cyclists.
- Vehicle access for regular business operations or construction requires a Roads Use Permit.
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Signage Development Permit from Planning
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Building Permit from Planning. See the Building Permit Application Form, and if applicable, the Tent and Events Requirements List.
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Road Use Permit for vehicular access from Streets and Roads, and Engineering. This permit is free of charge.
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Occupancy Load Permit from the Fire Department
Figure 2. Main Street Pedestrian Area Layout
Figure 3. Site Plan - Sample
Contact Economic Development at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Application Process
If there are no changes to your previously approved 2022 MSPA (formerly, MSPZ) permitted setup or location, you may apply as a return applicant.
Payment is required prior to the review of any application and instructions will be sent to the applicant upon receipt of their application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Processing Timeline: To ensure that a permit is processed in time for the Main Street closure, Main Street Pedestrian Area Permit applications with all required documentation must be received by April 17. Applications will be accepted after April 17; however, applications are not guaranteed to be processed in time for the closure start-date.
The following documents are required for a complete application package:
- Application form via online portal
- Copy of 2022 approved site plan
- Certificate of insurance naming Town of Canmore as additional insured party
a. A minimum of five million in liability coverage is required, or
b. Two million for retailers who remove their outdoor setup every night and are approved by the Town - An approved 2022 MSPZ Permit will be verified internally
- Building Permit application package, or copy of approved Building Permit, if applicable
- Signage Development Permit application package, or copy of approved Signage Development Permit, if applicable
- Road Use Permit application package, or copy of approved Road Use Permit for vehicular access, if applicable
The following documents are required for a complete application package:
- Application form via online portal
- Detailed Site Plan showing the items below. See Figure 3 for a sample. Plan can be designed by hand, or digitally. A suggested (and free) program to assist with drawing site plan is socialtables.com. Create a space using the dimensions of your Activity Zone and add your items, shapes, and labels, including:
a. Adjacent building façade
b. Property line
c. Any existing usage within this space (e.g. patio, public seating, etc.)
d. Proposed usage (e.g. parklet, public seating, seasonal business setup, etc.)
e. Landscaping details - Delineate the area to be used within the public right-of-way, and the location of any furniture or fixtures that will be placed on site
a. Show this area has a clearance of 3 meters on either side of the painted yellow centre line
b. Usage within Activity Zone may be up to, but not including the painted white line - Current photographs of existing site (i.e., location of the proposed setup)
- Certificate of insurance naming Town of Canmore as additional insured party
a. A minimum of five million in liability coverage is required, or
b. Two million for retailers who remove their outdoor setup every night and are approved by the Town - Letters of support from owner(s) of adjacent businesses. If the applicant is a second-floor business, a letter from the owner(s) of the ground-floor facing business is also required. Copies of email communications are accepted.
- Letters of support from property owner(s) if a business owner leases the property. Copies of email communications are accepted.
- Building Permit application package, or copy of approved Building Permit, if applicable
- Signage Development Permit application package, or copy of approved Signage Development Permit, if applicable
- Road Use Permit application, or copy of approved Road Use Permit for vehicular access, if applicable
- Confirmation that an Occupation Load inspection has been requested from the Fire Department.
