London

Council votes to allow live music on London patios

London city council has voted to allow amplified music on patios, with one councillor commenting 'welcome to 2017' moments after the vote passed 14-0.

Venue owners will have to apply for temporary permit

Downtown patios like Barney's can now host live music on their patios. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

London city council has voted unanimously to allow live, amplified music and dancing on patios.

The motion passed with no debate at Tuesday's meeting.

One councillor commented "welcome to 2017" after the motion passed. 

The amended bylaw will allow bars to have live music on their patios under the following conditions:

  • The music has to stop before midnight.
  • The permits will be temporary.
  • Noise is limited to 70 decibels.
  • Business owners will have to post a sign telling the public they're in the process of applying for a temporary permit.

Last week, a council committee voted unanimously to repeal a controversial 1993 bylaw that banned any form of entertainment on patios, except acoustic music.

Some residents who live near bars said allowing amplified music will have a negative effect on their quality of life. Some musicians, however, argued that banning live music on patios was holding back London's local music scene. 

With files from CBC's Chris Ensing