Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits

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Additions to Houses

Additions to house require a building permit. For additional information please visit our building page.

Accessing Land Application

In the Township of Woolwich you must obtain an access permit if you need to access your property through Township owned parkland, green space or trails. Common examples of when you may need a permit include making improvements to your property such as landscaping, building a deck or fence, or installing a pool or hot tub.Applying for a Permit

Apply for your accessing land permit [form builder] at least two weeks before you would like to access Township property.
Obtain a certificate of insurance, completed by your insurer, with at least $2 million in coverage identifying the Township of Woolwich as an additional insured.
A $2000.00 refundable damage deposit is required at time of application. Failure to return Township property to pre construction conditions will result in forfeiture of the damage deposit.
Bring your payment of $70/day of access plus damage deposit, certificate of insurance, and completed application to the admin offices at 24 Church St. W in Elmira.
There is no guarantee that your application will be approved.

Check with the Building Department whether a Building Permit is also required.

Birth Certificate

Birth Certificates are issued by the Province of Ontario for anyone born in Ontario. All requests for new or replacement certificates must be filed with Service Ontario.

Building Permit Forms

Any construction that occurs within the Township of Woolwich will require a building permit.

For additional information please visit our building page.

Burn Permits

Fire permits are available from the St. Jacobs Fire Station between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday or by completing our open burn application form or campfire permit form. View our fees and charges by-law for permit costs.

Certificate of Occupancy

are you planning to start a home based business or establish / change a commercial or industrial business? Please contact Planning staff to discuss the necessary requirements and how to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy.

Change of Tenancy

To notify our Water Department of a tenancy change please complete the Change of tenancy form

Charitable Rebate

If you are a registered Charitable or Non Profit Organization under the provisions of the Canada Income Tax Act subsection 248 (1) and own or lease space in a commercial and/or industrial building, you may be eligible for a rebate in property taxes for the current taxation year. Please complete the charitable rebate application form.

Clearing of Lands

The Region of Waterloo regulates tree cutting in private and public woodlots.

Consent (Severance)

A property owner who wishes to:

divide their land for the purposes of selling it
make a lot line adjustment between properties
create an easement or right of way, or
lease land for a period over 21 years is required to meet with Township staff to discuss the consent (severance) process prior to submitting an application for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment.

Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad

Visit the Government of Canada for more information and a copy of the consent letter form.

Community Alert Network Information Update

To find out if you are on the Community Alert Network (CAN) system list or to update your information complete the Community Awareness and Emergency Response Contact Update Form, or call 519-669-6006 or 1-877-969-0094 extension 6006. Visit our emergency planning and preparedness page for more information on the CAN system.

Death Registration

The Funeral Home provides the Township of Woolwich with the Death Registration documents when a death has occurred. The Township receives the information, issues a Burial Permit and then forwards the information to the Office of the Registrar General.

The Township does not provide any information regarding Death Certificates to residents, as Death Certificates are issued by the Province of Ontario. All requests for new or replacement certificates must be filed with Service Ontario.

Decks

Decks greater than 24 inches in height require a building permit. For additional information please visit our building page.

Demolition

When demolishing any structure a demolition permit is required; noting that agricultural buildings do not require a demolition permit.

Dog Tag Application

You are required to purchase a dog tag/licence for your dog upon moving to the Township or within 21 days of becoming a dog owner. Visit our animal services page for information on dog tag fees and purchasing locations.

You can also mail a copy of your dog tag application form with a cheque payable to the Township of Woolwich.

Entrance Permits

An entrance permit may be required of all persons, agencies, corporations (private or public) or institutions for a new entrance (driveway) or change to an existing entrance on any Township road.

Printable application form: Entrance Permit.

Completed forms can be sent to the Township office by mail, fax, or in person.

Fax: 519-669-4669

Main or in person:

24 Church St W

Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6

The Region of Waterloo has permit requirements for access work on regional roads. Their permit process and detailed information can be found on the Region's website.

Fences

The Township of Woolwich does not regulate fencing unless you have a pool or are a corner lot.

Fireworks

Sale of fireworks

All retailers looking to sell fireworks within the Township of Woolwich are required to obtain a fireworks sale license. Complete the fireworks sale license application form and submit it to the attention of the Clerk's Department.

Fireworks display permits

Not all fireworks shows require a permit. If your event will be using high hazard, professional fireworks, it will require a permit whether the event is private or open to the public. If you will be setting off low hazard, consumer fireworks, you will only need a display permit for events that are open to the public. Complete the fireworks display permit application form and submit it to the Fire Department.

Visit our Fire safety and prevention page for more information on fireworks rules, regulations, sale licenses, display permits and safe fireworks.

Filming

A filming permit is required if filming is occurring within the road allowance or on Township property.

Freedom of Information

Anyone wishing to obtain information kept by the Township should contact the Deputy Clerk, who will advise if a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request if needed or not. The FOI request Form will need to be completed and returned to the Clerk's department with a $5 fee. More information is available on our FOI requests page

Grant Application

For information on the Township's annual community grants, visit our grants and special assistance page.

Inspections

Building inspections are required during the building process. For more information on inspections, visit our building page.

Kennel Application

Anyone who would like to have more than three dogs on their property must apply for a kennel license. Kennels are only permitted in Agricultural zones and must be located at least 60 metres (200 feet) from any neighbouring habitable building, including any buildings housing animals.

For more information on kennel applications, view our animal control by-law.

All kennel applications must initially be heard by Council and Council makes a decision on whether to license the kennel or not. The Animal Control Officer does an annual inspection on all kennels and does spot inspections throughout the year.

The kennel licence application must be accompanied by a site map showing the entire property and the nearest neighbour's habitable buildings.

Kennel licence fees can be viewed in the Township's licensing by-law.

Livestock Claim

For information on the program or to submit a claim, contact the Township's Deputy Clerk, 519-669-6010.

Lottery Licences

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) is responsible for administering the lottery licensing program in the Province of Ontario. Municipalities and the AGCO are responsible for issuing lottery licences to eligible charitable and religious organizations.

The Order-In-Council provides municipalities with licensing authority for:

bingo events, including table board bingo, with prize boards of up to $5,500;
media bingo events with prizes up to $5,500;
break open tickets for local organizations;
raffle lotteries for total prizes of $50,000 and under; and
bazaar lotteries which include: wheels of fortune with a maximum bet of $2.00, raffles not exceeding $500, and bingo events up to $500.

Application Process

The Township of Woolwich requires a minimum of 5 business days to process all applications for lottery events licensed by the municipality. If you are applying for a lottery license for the first time in the Township of Woolwich the township requires a minimum of 10 business days to process the application.

For more information on Lottery Licensing please visit the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. All lottery licence applications and reports can be returned to the Township's Licensing Officer (519-669-1647 ext. 6004) at the Township Administration Office.

Marriage Ceremony Request Form

To schedule a marriage ceremony please complete the Online Marriage Ceremony Request Form or call 519-669-6009. In order to ensure that an officiant is available, a minimum of 24 hours notice is requested.

More information on marriage ceremonies is available on our marriages page.

Marriage Licence

Marriage licence application forms must be submitted in person by at least one of the individuals getting married. The application form must be signed by both parties and two pieces of government issued identification for each party are required.

Marriage licences are issued at the Township Office, 24 Church Street West, Elmira, ON. Appointments are not necessary but are encouraged to ensure that an issuer of marriage licences is in the office. Please ensure you come in by 4:30 p.m. to allow time for your licence to be processed.

More information on applying for a marriage license is available on our marriages page.

Minor Variance

A variance is a minor change to the Zoning By-law for a specific property. Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff regarding the minor variance process prior to submitting an application for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment.

Official Plan Amendment

At times, an individual property may need an amendment to the Official Plan for new development or redevelopment proposals. Prior to submitting an application to amend the Official Plan please consult with Planning staff. The public always has opportunity to review and provide input on a proposed amendment prior to the adoption by the Township.

Pools and Hot Tubs

Pools and hot tubs require a building permit. They also are regulated under our pool fence by-law.

Septic Systems

Major and minor changes or repairs to a septic system requires a building permit application to be filled out a schedule 2: sewage system installer information sheet filled out.

Sheds

Any shed over 108 square feet requires a building permit.

Sign Permit

Signs are regulated under the Township's Sign By-Law and may require a permit.

Site Plan Approval

Site Plan Approval is required for all commercial, institutional, industrial and some multi-residential developments within the Township and must be completed prior to the issuance of any building permits.

Site Plan approval is an interactive process involving the property owner, their consultant(s), Township staff and other local government agencies. The Site Plan process is intended to match the property owner's requirements with the unique characteristics of each property while protecting the interests of all parties and ensuring development is designed to municipal standards.

For Site Plan application submission requirements please view the applicable Guidelines for Site Plan / Development Approval Process, Tree Planting Guidelines and Landscaping Design Guidelines.

Contact Planning staff to arrange a pre-application consultation meeting for your proposal.

Special Event Permits

Special events which occur within the road allowance or on Township property require a special event permit. Special Event applications can be returned to the Township's Planning Department - 24 Church Street West, Elmira.

Subdivision Approvals

Subdivision approvals are handled between the Region, who is the approval authority, and the Township, who holds the public meeting. Generally, when you divide a piece of land into multiple lots (i.e. three or more), you are subdividing the property. Subdivisions can be created for residential, industrial or multi-use developments.

If you are considering a subdivision development on a parcel of land a pre-application consultation meeting with the applicable Regional, Township and other agency staff will be required prior to submission of an application.

Temporary Tents

Temporary tents or a group of tents that is more than 646 square feet will require a building permit.

Vacancy Rebate

The application for rebate of property taxes for vacancies in commercial and industrial buildings is due by February 28 of the year following the taxation year to which the application relates.

Vendor/Trades Licences

Vendor and Trades Licences

In 2013 the Township's licensing regulations were consolidated into By-law # 47-2013 to govern and regulate temporary and mobile businesses and drainlayers in Woolwich. The Township now licences Hawker-Pedlars, Refreshment Vehicles and Drain Layers. More information about each licensing type can be found below or within the Township's Licensing By-law. Individual application forms and additional application requirements can be found below. For more information please contact the Township's Licensing Officer at 519-669-1647 extension 6004.

All applications for events involving the preparation and sale of food must include approval from the Region of Waterloo's Public Health Department. Applicants are required to complete and submit the Region of Waterloo Special Event Form: Vendor Application Form to Public Health for their review and approval 30 days prior to the event. Additional requirement from Public Health can be found on the Region of Waterloo Food Safety webpage. Questions and concerns regarding safe food handling requirements should be directed to the Region of Waterloo.

Hawker-Pedlar

A Hawker-Pedlar Licence is required for any temporary sales venture including door-to-door sales, street musicians, temporary food/ non-food vendors, antique/ collectable shows or trade shows. Completed applications should be submitted to the Clerk's Department a minimum of 10 business days prior to the event. Download hawker-pedler licensing requirements and application form. Applications forms can be returned to the Township's Licensing Officer (519-669-1647 ext. 6004) at the Township Administration Office.

Refreshment Vehicles/Chip Wagon

Refreshment Vehicles licences are required for any mobile food vendor or chip wagon, including Bicycle Ice Cream Carts and Food Carts. Applicants should be prepared with a proposed location for stationary vehicles/carts. The Licensing By-law and Fees and Charges By-law provide additional requirement and licensing fee information.

Download the Refreshment Vehicle Application Form and return it to the Clerk's Department (519-669-1647 ext. 6004) at the Township Administration Office.

Drain Layers

All Drain Layers operating in the Township of Woolwich are required to obtain a Drain Layer Licence annually. A person shall be deemed to be qualified to obtain a licence as a Drain Layer if they were licenced as a Drain Layer in Woolwich in the year immediately prior. New applications and renewals are required to be submitted to the Clerk's Department before January 31st of each calendar years. New applicants are required to submit proof that they are the holder of a valid Drain Layer's licence, and have successfully passed an examination at one or more of the following municipalities:

City of Kitchener
City of Brantford
City of Cambridge
City of Stratford
City of London

If the applicant has not been licenced at one of the above municipalities, he or she must successfully complete an examination to test their qualifications and provide the following documentation:

A description of their qualifications, which shall include at least two years experience as a Drain Layer; and
The operating name and mailing address of the drain contractor with whom he or she is currently employed.

Applicants must complete a minimum standing of 70% in each section of the examination to receive a passing grade overall. Current licensing and examination fees can be found in the Township's Fees and Charges By-law. Download the Drain Layer Licence Application form for more information

For any of the above Licenses Fees please view the Township's Licensing By-law.

Zoning

Every property in the Township is subject to policies in the Zoning By-law. A zoning by-law contains provisions that regulate the use, size, height, density and location of buildings on properties. The by-law consists of the following basic components:

Maps are the most common feature of any zoning by-law as they indicate which zone a property is in.
The corresponding wording for the zone, which then lists the permitted uses and regulations applicable to that zone.

Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff regarding the zone change process prior to submitting an application for consideration by Council.

Please contact the Township of Woolwich if you require any of these documents in an alternate format.