This opinion piece was written by Fabrizio Foz, President & CEO of Per Se Hospitality Group. The views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of 604 Now or its editorial team.
Vancouver is at an inflection point. Thousands of restaurants across British Columbia are expected to close this year, and the pressures facing operators are growing from every direction, rising costs, labour shortages, and tightening margins. But there is another challenge, quieter and less discussed, that is slowly eroding confidence in doing business in this city: inconsistent and unpredictable enforcement.
I have spent years investing in Vancouver’s hospitality sector, building spaces designed not just for dining, but for improving neighbourhood vibrancy and contributing to a livable, welcoming city. Yet despite working through every required channel, securing permits, and complying with processes that often change year to year, I continue to encounter enforcement actions that are inconsistent with previous direction and inconsistent with how similar situations are handled elsewhere in the city.
A Recent Example That Highlights a Larger Issue
This winter, on one of the few sunny days we’ve had in months, several customers moved chairs forward on our privately owned plaza to sit in the sun with their coffee. No additional seating was created, no business expansion occurred, and the chairs remained entirely on private property. Yet an inspector intervened, citing that the kiosk does not have year-round seating permissions.
Technically, the inspector may not be wrong. But practically, this highlights the core problem: rules are often interpreted differently depending on who is enforcing them and when.
Over the years, I have received contradictory instructions from different departments, shifting interpretations of the same permit, and enforcement decisions that do not match previously established guidance. For operators trying to comply, it becomes impossible to know what the City actually expects.
This Isn’t About One Incident, It’s About Predictability
Most business owners I speak with don’t want special treatment. They want clarity.
A system where the rules shift from one season to the next, or where interpretation changes depending on the inspector, creates operational uncertainty. It makes planning difficult. It discourages investment. And it wears down even the most committed operators who genuinely want to build something lasting here.
The hospitality industry is one of Vancouver’s cultural pillars. It supports tourism, activates neighbourhoods, employs tens of thousands of people, and contributes significantly to the city’s economic health. When enforcement becomes unpredictable, it undermines more than individual businesses, it undermines the fabric of the city’s public life.
Vancouver Needs a Regulatory System That Matches Its Stated Values
We often talk about building a vibrant, welcoming, business-friendly city. But the experience on the ground doesn’t always reflect those aspirations.
To move forward, Vancouver needs:
1. Clearer, consistent interpretation of permitting rules, especially for patios, seating, and outdoor activation.
2. A coordinated approach across departments so businesses are not caught between conflicting directives.
3. A regulatory culture that prioritizes collaboration over punitive enforcement.
4. A recognition that small inconsistencies compound into major operational impacts.
Cities that have modernized their regulatory frameworks — especially around outdoor activation and small business support — are seeing stronger economic resilience and more vibrant neighbourhoods. Vancouver has the opportunity to join them.
A Call for Constructive Alignment
My hope is not to criticize, but to highlight an issue that many operators face and to encourage a stronger alignment between policy goals and day-to-day enforcement. When expectations are consistent and communication is clear, everyone benefits — businesses, residents, inspectors, and the city itself.
Vancouver is full of passionate entrepreneurs who want to contribute to its future. With clearer processes and more predictable enforcement, we can build a city that supports them rather than unintentionally holding them back.
