Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update on City of Windsor Services
Windsor is currently at Step 3 of Ontario's Roadmap to Reopen. To learn more about the provincial reopening process for the COVID-19 pandemic, visit Reopening Ontario.
Proof of Vaccination
The City of Windsor service adjustments listed below are up to date according to instructions under the current provincial designation.
Latest News:
See more past updates in the Newsroom.
Status of Municipal Buildings
Buildings at 350 City Hall Square West and 2450 McDougall are open, but appointments are strongly encouraged, and screening will be necessary for anyone entering.
The building at 400 City Hall Square East will remain open to the public for service at some federal and provincial offices, as will any other building with self-contained leased space to non-City tenants (Mackenzie Hall and Gino and Liz Marcus Community Complex). This is subject to change.
Masks/Face Coverings
Effective August 19, 2020, a mask that covers the nose and mouth will be required in all indoor public spaces by order of the mayor, pursuant to section 4(1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, including places of business, community centres, places of worship, entertainment venues and any common-use areas within a multi-use dwelling (such as lobby, elevator, laundry rooms and corridors). Exceptions are made for children and those with underlying medical conditions and to comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
For City of Windsor services and information, residents can call 311 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (holidays excepted), or they can download the 311 app, email 311@citywindsor.ca or use 311online.ca to send requests 24/7 (though responses will be processed at the hours noted above).
COVID-19 General Information
For health information and local guidelines related to COVID-19, please visit the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit including:
- Questions about COVID-19 testing
- How to report COVID-19 complaints
- How to book your vaccine appointment
- Precautions to protect yourself against COVID-19
- What to do if you or a family member has to self-isolate
City of Windsor Service Adjustments:
Building
The City of Windsor Building Division has been and will continue to be accepting all permit applications. In-person site inspections will be performed on construction sites and virtual/remote Inspections will be performed live from an off-site location. Please refer to the letter below for more details:
Building By-Law Enforcement
By-law Enforcement
Routine enforcement has resumed as of June 1, 2020, in addition to matters covered under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which can include social distancing in public spaces, restrictions to gathering sizes and adherence by businesses to essential services orders.
Council Services (Office of the City Clerk)
Economic Development (Office of the Chief Administrative Officer [CAO])
All economic development services are available. On-site meetings and visits will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The processing times for community improvement plan (CIP) applications and business incentives may be increased. Questions can be directed to Milan Vujanovic, Senior Economic Development Officer at 519-890-0453 by phone or mvujanovic@citywindsor.ca by email.
Engineering
No public-facing services will be offered (e.g. street opening permits, encroachments etc.). Limited service will be provided to development applications, engineering, E.I.S. and drafting. E-services will continue to be offered. Construction will continue.
As a result of COVID-19, the City of Windsor has agreed to
waive permit and annual fees for this sidewalk cafe season in an effort to support local restaurants and small businesses. In order to operate a sidewalk cafe, one must obtain an annual permit.
See Sidewalk Cafe FAQ for further details.
Finance (Office of the City Treasurer)
The following services will be maintained:
- Payroll services
- Accounts payable services
- Information Technology (I.T.) Help Desk
- I.T. network security
- Enterprise support services
Property Taxes
Please visit the Taxes and Assessment page on our website for the following information:
- Property tax payments and customer service requests
- 2021 final property tax schedule
- How to pay your property taxes without attending City Hall
- Information about your property taxes
- What to do if selling/purchasing a property
- How to register for, change or cancel your pre-authorized payment plan
If you have further questions about property taxes, please contact 311 or reach us at propertytax@citywindsor.ca by email.
Fire and Rescue
Emergency services continue. Legislated inspections only. All public education cancelled.
Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste
While garbage and recycling collection are continuing as normal, we would ask that residents keep 6 feet (2 metres) away from collectors. Also, all garbage-related by-laws still apply, i.e., must be in acceptable containers, can not be overflowing, must be under 44 pounds, etc. Yard waste collection is continuing on its regular schedule,
Please also note updated guidelines on the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority's Safe Waste Management/COVID-19 page to help keep our workers protected while they perform this valuable service. General info can be found on our Waste and Recycling page.
Public Drop-Off Depot will remain open at limited capacity to ensure social distancing. Delays can be expected. The rodent program will continue; street sweeping program and litter bin collections are operating on a reduced service level; and special event services will be offered for approved events throughout the city.
Human Resources
All services have resumed, but some service response time may be reduced. When in-person discussions are required (i.e. recruitments, corporate training), alternative delivery methods may be used as appropriate (i.e. use of virtual platforms such as Zoom).
Legal
Service response time may be reduced, but essential legal work will be completed.
Licensing
The Licensing Department is processing applications for business, lottery, gaming and animal licences. Mail-in applications are being accepted, and in-person services are available by appointment. Please call 519-255-6200, option 1, for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Maintenance
All road and sewer maintenance programs have resumed operations.
Parking
- Meter parking is free for 15 minutes when using the Passport Parking App. Users can simply enter Zone #3800 at any meter in the city. This is an effort to help with take-out restaurant orders. The app can be used once every six hours.
- With the exception of the free 15 minutes mentioned above, regular enforcement of parking at street meters continues as normal. Please follow the times laid out at the meters and on signage in municipal lots and garages, and pay the appropriate amount for the time you need to park.
- The Public Works administration building located at 1266 McDougall Street is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (holidays excepted).
- For all parking and enforcement information, visit the Parking Enforcement page.
Parks
Planning
The Planning Division has been and will continue to accept all Planning Act and other development-related applications.
Mandatory pre-consultations on development applications will be available via electronic participation or by appointment. You can also schedule an appointment to submit an application or make an in-person payment. Please call 519-255-6543 to schedule an appointment.
Planning Act Applications:
Committee of Adjustment:
You can also continue to contact us by email at jwatson@citywindsor.ca or phone (519) 255-6543 or send regular mail to:
Planning Division
2nd Floor, 350 City Hall Square West,
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
N9A 6S1
You may also submit a Committee of Adjustment application or appeal electronically or in person by appointment. Please email jwatson@citywindsor.ca or call (519) 255-6543 to arrange to submit your application electronically.
Policy and Gaming
Gaming and raffle licence services are still being provided. Applicants should contact their gaming analyst directly by phone or email, and general enquiries should be submitted to
licences@citywindsor.ca by email.
Pollution Control
Public access to the septic unloading station for R.V. and travel trailers has been suspended at the Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant.
Plant tours for both Lou Romano and Little River are suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Provincial Offences (POA)
The POA courts are operating remotely only; however, POA counter services are available to the public by appointment only, and appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. You can make an appointment online at our website or by speaking to a phone representative. For urgent requests, please email poa.tickets@citywindsor.ca or call 519-255-6555.
See our Provincial Offences home page and the Ontario Court of Justice page for further information and updates.
Purchasing
Purchasing is operating at 100% with all service requirements but operating remotely 50% of the time per week.
Recreation and Culture
Sandpoint Beach is now closed for the season and is unsupervised. Lifeguards are not on duty. Use at your own risk.
Picnic permitting continues and will follow the current regulations. If you are thinking about organizing a picnic, the next step is to call (519) 253-2300 for information on picnic permit fees and site availability.
Sports field are wrapping up for the season. Fields will begin closing through the month of October based on end of use by existing permit holders.
Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies with capacity limited to permit 2 metres physical distancing and are allowed. Permits can be issued based on availability with noted capacity limits at select outdoor park sites, including Willistead Manor– Paul Martin Gardens (no interior access), Mary E. Bibb Park, Reaume Park and Alexander Park. Please visit the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit website for the most up to date information as it relates to outdoor ceremonies. For information on programming at our community centres, WFCU Centre Community Pool and the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre (Natatorium) please visit www.ActiveWindsor.ca or call 519 255-1161. All arenas, including WFCU Centre, Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, Forest Glade Arena and Adie Knox Herman Arena are now open and available for rentals with capacity limits on spectators and a requirement for 2 metres physical distancing for those not participating in the sport. Proof of vaccination is required prior to entry into the facility for all participants, spectators, parents, coaches and volunteers 12 years of age and over effective October 1, 2021, in accordance with the letter of instruction issued by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. Cannon Cove, Adventure Bay Family Water Park Presented by WFCU Credit Union, indoor museums and all other cultural facilities remain closed at this time.
Libraries are once again open but with the ability to social distance determining the number of patrons allowed in at one time. For more information on available services, visit the Windsor Public Library website for further details. The Lakeview Park Marina is open; see the Marina page for details on times. The boat launch in McKee Park and the small craft launches at Shanfield Shores and Stop 26 are already open. Roseland Golf and Curling Club and the Little River Golf Club are both open. COVID-19 guidelines will be in place and must be followed. Tee times can be booked online at Roseland's website roselandgolfandcurlingclub.ca or by phone at 519-969-3810. Tee times at Little River are via phone reservation only at 519-945-3935.
Social Services (Human & Health Services):
Housing & Homelessness Services:
The City of Windsor offers over-the-phone, virtual and in-person services for individuals and families in Windsor and Essex County who require assistance obtaining and retaining affordable housing. This includes help paying rent and utilities. Visit the
Housing and Homelessness page on the City’s website for more information.
Children's Services:
Services open to the public:
Ontario Works (Windsor & Leamington offices) in-person services by appointment only and administrative supports by telephone or email
Services that will be closed to the public:
Transit
For the latest on Transit Windsor operations during the pandemic, see Transit Windsor COVID-19 Service Update.
- Transit Windsor has resumed full service on all city and county routes and will also introduce Route 518X, a new limited-stop express route from Tecumseh Mall to St. Clair College via Devonshire Mall, on September 7.
- Protective barriers have been installed on all Transit Windsor buses. Riders are encouraged to board at the front door and exit at the rear door (with the exception of those with mobility needs who may exit at the front door).
- Fare media, including the reloading of Transit Windsor Smart Cards is available at the Transit Centre (3700 North Service Road East) and Windsor International Transit Terminal (300 Chatham Street West). Capacity limits are in place, and all customers and vendors entering either facility are required to fill out a screening and contact tracing form. See Transit Windsor sales locations hours of operation.
- The mandatory mask policy remains in effect indefinitely, and bus capacity will be limited to seated loads only (no standees) to allow for physical distancing on board.
Transportation Planning
Project management and response to resident service requests will continue. Public meetings will be delayed or provided by alternate means (e.g. online). Reviews that need traffic data collection may be delayed.
What City services can I access online?
- The following online services can be found on the City of Windsor’s website by clicking this link: E-Services.
- 311 Online - Complete a service request online for many City services.
- Active Windsor - Info and registration for recreation and culture programs, rentals and memberships.
- BizPaL - Everything you need to start a new business or renew existing permits and licences.
- Building Permits - Apply for building permits and view their status.
- Child Care Subsidy - Child care fee assistance for eligible families with children, birth to 12 years old.
- Council/Meeting Delegation - Submit delegation request for City Council and standing committee meetings.
- Dog Licence - Obtain or renew your annual dog licence.
- Emergency Utility Cut Permits - cut permits, utility companies only.
- My Property Tax - View your property tax account, make requests and provide updates.
- Ontario Works Application - Apply for Ontario Works.
- Open Data Catalog - Use municipal data to create and share resources from maps to apps and more.
- Public Property Inquiry - View assessments, associated permits and violations.
- Ticket Payment - Pay City of Windsor parking tickets and Provincial Offences Act (POA) tickets.
Where can I find community supports during the COVID-19 pandemic?
While we cannot provide a comprehensive list of supports in our community, a good first step is to call 211, Windsor-Essex’s help line for community programs and services. See 211 Ontario: How to access help during COVID-19. Here is a brief selection of services offered by our community partners:
Windsor-Essex Seniors Call Assurance Program provides meaningful connections for seniors in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 1-877-771-2677, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you or someone you know is a senior or person with a disability who doesn’t have the capacity to cook for themselves and requires a meal delivery of prepared meals, call the Windsor-Essex Food Helpline at 1-888-488-1578 for support. (Fees may apply.)
Windsor-Essex Counselling Support Line offers help for anxiety, stress, fear and depression as the need for physical isolation in Windsor-Essex continues. Call 519-946-3277 or 1-877-451-1055.