A Restaurant renovation can only be cost controlled with good planning

A restaurant renovation is the most complex and often the most expensive commercial renovation project type. There are good reasons for restaurants being the most rigidly inspected and controlled type of business. Restaurants store, prepare and serve food. Restaurants use cooking appliances. Restaurants produce a lot of organic waste. Because restaurants serve food, they must provide washrooms. Restaurants (hopefully) will frequently have a lot of people in a confined space.

Restaurant renovations must meet the most extensive bylaw requirements

A restaurant kitchen exhaust and makeup air system requires that a mechanical engineer certify that there is sufficient air flow to remove contaminated air. This kitchen ventilation system must also be safe in the event of a cooking related fire. Any restaurant cooking process that produces air-born oils (grilling, deep frying, etc.) will need to be covered by an engineer approved ventilation and fire suppression system.

The same process that creates air-born oils, also creates serious waste water issues. An approved grease trap system will need to be installed. Kitchen surfaces (including ceilings) need to be washable.

How many washrooms does a restaurant require?

Accessible washroom requirements vary from one City to another. Your local building department can answer questions regarding both number and washroom accessibility requirements. In general: Accessible washrooms are required with minimum occupancy. The number and type dramatically increases where occupancy exceeds 150 people. Please contact us for specific building code requirements.

Fire exits and emergency escape routes must be accessible and clearly identified. Sufficient clearances to permit easy escape are a must.

Is it difficult to meet all the City bylaw requirements?

Not if you plan for them when you begin to design the restaurant. Although the City's priority is the health and safety of everyone who enters your restaurant, they also understand that you need to know and understand your responsibilities.

Planning and designing a restaurant renovation is a VERY time consuming process. It can take up to a year to get all city approvals and even begin construction. (although not many do) Signing a lease, hiring a contractor, (or interior designer) BEFORE you know what the building and City bylaw problems might be, is always a recipe for disaster! If location, location, location is your only concern right now, please do more research, research, research!

Important information about restaurant upgrading compliance

The City doesn't HAVE TO ALLOW you to renovate a space for a new or existing restaurant, unless you comply with ALL the building, fire and plumbing code requirements in effect on the date you apply for a building permit. In addition, the City can refuse to give you a business license to operate, until you get final approval from the Health Dept. and liquor licensing officials.

Many restaurant renovations take far too long and go way over budget, when restaurant owners try to avoid, or simply don't understand, the rules.

A technically difficult Restaurant Renovation in Yaletown, Vancouver

Completed and opened in June 2006, this restaurant renovation project began as a concept in December 2005.

The restaurant concept

This restaurant client needed a great downtown location for a 50-55 seat upscale casual dining restaurant. After several discussions and preliminary planning meetings to finalize the design concept, we enlisted the assistance of Preferred Lease Advisors to help find the right location.

The previous restaurant renovations affect the planning process

The owner toured several locations in the Downtown and Yaletown areas before focusing on negotiating a lease for this location. A great location, excellent landlord and a reasonable initial lease rate, made this 1600 square foot ground floor space, the first choice. A preliminary inspection of this 100 year old building revealed many design deficiencies from previous restaurant tenant improvements that would need to be overcome. The biggest obstacle to redevelopment might have been the City of Vancouver. Located on Pacific Avenue, this building is just inside the Downtown Development zoning area, the City has the final decision on every redevelopment. The offer to lease was accepted with a subject to City of Vancouver, renovation permit approval clause.

Restaurant renovation continued...

Renovation Plans (in .pdf)
Original Restaurant Plan (86k)
Proposed Renovation Plan (93k)
Restaurant Front Elevation (123k)
Restaurant side view (45k)
Restaurant rear view (41k)
Approved renovation plan (212k)

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Related Restaurant Renovation Design and Planning Information

• Important restaurant Planning Steps
• Your Legal Responsibilities
• Good Restaurant Designers
• Good Restaurant Design
• Common Renovation Myths
• Leasing a Good Restaurant Space

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Providing restaurant renovation project planning and design services in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Delta, Richmond, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, BC.

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