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Roadway Permits

You will require a permit if you intend to block a Township right-of-way for construction, special events, utility work or other activities. The right-of-way includes the curb, boulevard, sidewalk, ditch, driveway apron, and a portion of boulevard beyond the sidewalk. 

Fees for all roadway permits are listed in our 2025 Infrastructure Services Fees and Charges By-law. 

Road Work Permit

You must apply for a Road Work Permit before starting any work or activity that blocks or restricts access to a public road, sidewalk or boulevard.

To apply for a road work permit, please visit the Customer Portal. 

Select the appropriate application type, complete the form and submit the required supporting documents. 

You must obtain a Regional Work Permit for any work taking place on a Region of Waterloo Road. 

Supplemental Information 

The following information is required with a road work permit submission.

  • A Traffic Control Plan will be required with submission. Traffic Control Plans must adhere to Ontario Ministry of Transportation Book 7. 
  • A Certificate of Insurance (COI) with $5,000,000 in insurance with the Township of Woolwich listed under “additionally insured”.
  • A Site Plan detailing the work that is to be completed 

Damage Deposit 

Township staff will review your road work permit application and decide whether a damage deposit is required. A damage deposit ensures that the right-of-way is restored to its original condition. Township staff will determine the risks to municipal infrastructure and any potential liabilities to determine whether an insurance requirement is needed. 

If a damage deposit is required, it must be submitted before any work begins. The applicant is responsible to request the Township to complete an inspection after work has been completed. 

Processing Time 

The application review process for a Road Work Permit takes a minimum of 10 business days.

The municipal road allowance is shared space, which is used to deliver services and allow efficient, unencumbered access for residents. Permitting allows the Township to: 

  • Confirm the necessity of each disturbance. 

  • Ensure road occupancy is carried out in a safe manner. 

  • Coordinate activities to reduce public impact. 

  • Ensure Township assets are protected from damage 

A Road Work Permit is required for most activities within the municipal right-of-way, including but not limited to: 

  • Telecom and gas utility work 

  • Service connections or upgrades 

  • Road cuts/excavation 

  • Driveway excavation 

  • Placement of a moving container or disposal bin 

  • Short duration storage of construction or landscaping materials beyond the limits of private property 

  • Crossing the boulevard to gain site access where there is no depressed curb or paved driveway 

  • Where the road will be occupied by workers or equipment to support construction or other activities 

  • Where the sidewalk will be obstructed, resulting in a disruption to pedestrian traffic 

Entrance Permit 

You must apply for an Entrance Permit before adding a new driveway or making changes to an existing entrance that leads onto a Township Road. This ensures safe access to and from the property and helps to maintain existing drainage patterns. 

Following approval of the application, a Road Work Permit will need to be submitted (including contractor information and insurance).

To apply for an entrance permit, please visit the Customer Portal. 

The Township may deny an Entrance Permit or impose additional conditions if the proposed entrance does not meet the required sight lines, impedes drainage or affects existing infrastructure. 

The applicant must cover any costs for work required to make the proposed entrance location safe. 

Damage Deposit 

A Damage Deposit is required for Entrance Permit applications. The total fee will be calculated based upon property frontage. For more information about fees, visit the 2025 Infrastructure Services Fees and Charges By-law. 

The damage deposit it must be submitted before any work begins. The applicant is responsible to request the Township to complete an inspection after work has been completed. 

Processing Time 

The application review process for an Entrance Permit takes a minimum of 20 business days.

Information regarding the Township of Woolwich driveway standards can be found under section 5.7 b of the Section 5 - Parking, Loading Driveway Regulations Zoning By-law.

Municipal Consent 

A Municipal Consent approval is required to install, upgrade, downsize, occupy or remove private or public infrastructure, equipment, hardware or appurtenances, and incudes excavating, directional boring and/or drilling within the road right-of-way. 

Municipal Consents are only issued to utility companies, agencies and private applicants with the authority to construct, operate, and maintain their infrastructure within the right-of-way as established through legislation, terms of agreement with the Township, or a Municipal Access Agreement.  

All utility work within the right of way requires Municipal Consent and a  Road Work Permit . A Road Work Permit for utility works may not be granted until the Municipal consent is granted. 

Submit your Municipal Consent Application using our Customer Portal. 

By making an application for Municipal Consent, the applicant agrees to abide by the terms and conditions of the permit and the Municipal Consent Manual. 

Contact Infrastructure Services if you have any questions regarding your submission. 

Processing Time 

The application review process for a municipal consent takes a minimum of 20 business days.

Special Events

Many special events are hosted within the Township; the biggest of which being the Elmira Syrup Festival. Whether you are looking for food, family fun or a sporting event, there's an event in Woolwich for you!

We are here to guide you through this process. Our team can answer your questions about food, vendors, fireworks, tents, and alcohol at an event.

If you are organizing a festival or an event on a Township roadway, sidewalk, or parking lot that may interfere with the normal flow of traffic or require a road closure you will need to complete a Special Event Permit application. Please see below for details and the application form.

Please note that if you have applied for a Special Event Permit in the past, there are changes to the process as of January 2023.

Special Events are:
  • Open to the public (for example: parades, sidewalk or street sales, festivals, filming, etc.)
  • Have predetermined opening and closing dates and times
  • May consist of several separate activities within a Township defined area (for example: roads, parking lots, walkways, pathways, trails, parks, ball diamonds, community centres, etc.)

If you are planning to use walkways, pathways, trails, parks, sports fields, and/or community centres for your special event, please contact our Recreation and Community Services Department for more information.

If your event includes: food, alcohol, fireworks, music or tents you may require additional applications. Please contact our Corporate Services Department for more information.

Special Events do not include the following items:

  • Wedding
  • Funeral Procession
  • Picketing
  • Road Work Permits

Applying for a Permit

The application must be submitted to the Infrastructure Services Department a minimum of 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the event. No person or persons shall stage a Special Event on Township property without first obtaining a Special Event Permit from the Township of Woolwich. 

Before starting a Special Event Permit application, consider whether you plan to hire paid duty or auxiliary police services through the Waterloo Regional Police Services.

For events within the Township's Road Allowance, which includes roads, sidewalks and boulevards, and municipal parking lots, there may be different requirements to submit. Please be aware that the Township will not supply traffic control devices. Rentals for traffic control must be sourced by the organizer, including the set-up and removal of all traffic control devices. Many equipment rental companies are able to provide these devices.

Road closures or partial road closures are determined at the discretion of the Infrastructure Services Staff. Changes to the routing may be requested based on construction or safety hazards.

The Event Organizer must produce the following:

  • Completed and signed application form
  • Site map, showing extent of event
  • Traffic control plan in accordance with Book 7 (certified by an authorized third-party) if events are occurring within the travelled portion of the road to outline how the event will protect participants and traffic
  • Certificate of Insurance, naming all applicable municipalities as additionally insured
  • Appropriate fee

Full requirements and details are outlined in the Special Events Permit Application form. The form needs to be filled out and submitted prior to making any plans.

Once copies of all event requirements are submitted and have been reviewed by Township Staff and associated authorities, you will receive a permit for approval and can proceed with your event.

Additional Resources

Infrastructure Services & Public Works
24 Church Street West
P.O. Box 158
Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6
519-514-6080
Email

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