Rules for Condominium Patios and Terraces in Step 1

Starting tomorrow, Ontario will enter Step 1 of its reopening plan. Restaurants will be allowed to open their patios and seat up to four people, including those who do not live together, at an outdoor table. This is one of the few ways in which Ontarians will be able to be physically close to people outside of their household.

A common misunderstanding is that condominium common element patios and terraces will be subject to the same rules as restaurant patios. They will not. Condominium patios, if the Board chooses to open them, will continue to fall under the same rules as private dwellings – outdoor social gatherings will be limited to 10 people at a time, and when gathering, everyone must remain at least two meters away from any person who is not (a) a member of their household, (b) a caregiver, or (c) a person living alone, socializing with their household only. The rules apply regardless of whether someone is fully vaccinated (though we expect this to change).

The rules mean that, unless the seating is deliberately spread out by at least two meters, condominium residents generally cannot invite friends to sit at the same table as they could on a restaurant patio.

We understand that this news will be disappointing for many condo stakeholders, but we are encouraged by the pace of vaccinations and are optimistic that the province will loosen the rules as more Ontarians receive their second dose.