Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update on City of Windsor Services
Stage 3 of Province of Ontario Reopening Plan
As of August 12, 2020, Windsor entered Stage 3 of the Province of Ontario's reopening plan.
Windsor Reopens:
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 www.311online.ca to send requests 24/7 (though responses will be processed at the hours noted above).
For additional information, see also Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
News Releases:
City of Windsor Service Adjustments:
Building
The City of Windsor Building Division has been and will continue to accept all permit applications and has resumed all construction inspections. There will continue to be safety parameters surrounding inspections in occupied buildings and work sites, and those specific directions will be provided when inspections are requested.
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.
Contracts
By-law enforcement will only occur where safety is involved. Construction will continue.
Council Services (Office of the City Clerk)
Council Services is open by appointment only, including election services, freedom of information requests, records management, commissioning for the public and marriage services (email clerkvitals@citywindsor.ca for info on marriages).
Economic Development (Office of the CAO)
All Economic Development Services are available with the exception of on-site meetings and visits. The processing times of 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 or mvujanovic@citywindsor.ca.
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 COVID19, the City of Windsor has agreed to
waive permit and annual fees for the 2020 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
- Property tax payments and customer service requests (see FAQ for updated info on property taxes)
- Property tax account administration
- I.T. Help Desk
- I.T. network security
- Enterprise support services
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, though we are expecting large volumes and may experience some delays.
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 re-open to the public on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. The rodent program will continue; street sweeping program and litter bin collections are operating on a reduced service level; and special event services will not be offered.
Huron Lodge Long Term Care Home
As of Wednesday, August 12, 2020, Huron Lodge moved to indoor visiting and will continue to schedule outdoor visitations.
Visitors are required to provide proof of a negative COVID test that was taken within the 2 weeks prior to their visit. See
Huron Lodge COVID-19 Update for information on adjusted procedures.
Human Resources
Recruitment will cease, except in emergency situations, and all corporate training will cease.
Legal
Service response time may be reduced, but essential legal work will be completed.
Licensing
All municipal business, lottery, gaming and animal licence processing will commence (excluding bingo) by appointment only. Email
licences@citywindsor.ca Maintenance
Pothole patching continues, but other routine road and sewer maintenance will not be offered. Eeling program will continue.
Parking
- Effective Monday, August 17, regular enforcement of parking at street meters will resume: Please follow the times laid out at the meters and pay the appropriate amount for the time you need to park, as enforcement will no longer be allowing a grace period.
- Effective Tuesday, September 8, the Public Works Office at 1266 McDougall Street resumed providing in-person however other options remain in effect for customers.
- Services offered at 1266 McDougall Street include:
- Penalty notice (parking ticket) payment, inquiries and disputes
- Residential parking permit purchase
- Parking lot fee payments
- Parking ticket payments can still be made online, mailed in or submitted through the front door mail slot at 1266 McDougall Avenue.
- For more information, visit the parking enforcement page.
Parks
- Effective October 13, all splash pads are closed for the season.
- Park and Sports Field Permits: Outdoor team sports may resume but with a number of measures and restrictions in place. Park permits will also be available for small gatherings such as weddings, picnics, etc. that allow up to 100 people while following provincial health guidelines. The majority of park washrooms are open and operating from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. unless part of an otherwise permitted event.
- Trails and green spaces remain open for walk-through purposes, but please observe social distancing. Provincial guidelines for gatherings must be observed.
- Effective May 20, 2020, the City of Windsor opened dog parks, some outdoor sports amenities, picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas.
- Effective May 19, 2020, tennis and sports courts re-opened, and informal use of open green space is allowed for individual exercise or training.
- Grass cutting, including weed whipping is returning to near normal year levels. The non-residential Right of Ways (ROW’s) and the E.C. Row Expressway will be maintained, although the frequency will be reduced.
- Planting of summer flowers in parks is taking place, and hanging baskets are being installed in business improvement areas (BIA’s) and parks, and there will be no planters placed in BIA’s, ROW’s and around facilities.
- Some park washrooms will be open and maintained at an enhanced level of cleaning.
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, 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 (519) 255-6543 to arrange to submit your application electronically.
Policy and Gaming
Pollution Control
By-law enforcement, Environmental Master Plan (and associated works), and some engineering functions will not be offered or will be re-assigned. All other staff to provide essential service.
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 currently closed. In-person POA court services are not available, including payments, meetings, resolutions or in-office matters. For urgent requests, please email poa.tickets@citywindsor.ca.
See our Provincial Offences home page and the Ontario Court of Justice page for further information and updates.
Purchasing
Essential supplies and purchases will continue to be made. Existing procurements will be completed, and a reduced number of non-critical procurements will be issued if required.
Recreation and Culture
At this time, most Recreation and Culture indoor facilities will remain closed with the exception of some indoor pools (see below) until December 31, 2020. A select number of venues may open prior to this date based on demand. Stay tuned for further updates. For updated information about reopening centres and services this fall and winter, see our news release, Fall and Winter Recreation Services Update.
Inquiries regarding booking and programs that were scheduled and have been cancelled can be directed to 311. Inquiries about future bookings and programs can be directed by email to parkrec@citywindsor.ca.
City Pools: The City will be opening some indoor pools, starting with the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre (WIATC) on August 31. There will be strict safety protocols in place, in consultation with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. Updated information will be posted on the on the aquatics page.
- Effective August 31, reserved fitness lanes at the WIATC begin.
- Effective September 14, reserved fitness lanes and shallow aqua fit classes begin at WFCU Centre Community Pool.
- Registration information is available at activewindsor.ca.
- Note: The WIATC indoor fitness centre will remain closed.
The following services will not be maintained:
- Access to indoor recreation and culture facilities and rentals and/or programming including all community centres, pools unless otherwise noted, arenas and museum
- Special events, sports activity, group gatherings in parks or recreation centres
- Regular parks maintenance and forestry maintenance work
- Public access to Parks/Recreation administration office
- Non-essential repairs and maintenance
Social Services (Office of the Commissioner of Community Development and Health):
Housing & Homelessness Services:
The City of Windsor continues to offer programs and 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. If in-person services are not offered, virtual options are available. Visit the
Housing and Homelessness page on the City’s website for more information.
Services that will be closed to the public:
- City operated EarlyON Centres
- Employment & Training Services Centre, Suite 101
- Community Development & Health Services (CDHS) Office, Suite 301
- Ontario Works - Windsor Office
- Ontario Works - Leamington Office
Services open at a reduced rate:
Children’s Services Administrative Supports
Housing Administrative Supports
Employment and Training Services administrative support
Transit
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the protective barriers will not be installed in time for fare collection and front door boarding to resume on Monday, October 19, 2020. The date has been postponed until Monday, October 26, 2020. Riders are encouraged to re-load Transit Windsor Smart Cards at either the Windsor International Transit Terminal (300 Chatham Street West) or Transit Centre (3700 North Service Road East) in the weeks ahead. The mandatory mask policy will remain in effect indefinitely, and capacity limitations will continue to allow for social distancing on board.
Effective Tuesday, September 8, Transit Windsor began operating on an enhanced Saturday schedule, as well as offering secondary school extras, while adhering to public health guidelines to support the health and safety of drivers and riders alike. See Transit Windsor COVID-19 Service Update. 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 will be delayed.
Status of Municipal Buildings
350 City Hall Square West, 1266 McDougall, and 2450 McDougall will be closed to the public unless an appointment has been arranged in advance.
400 City Hall Square East will remain open to the public due to the presence of federal and provincial offices in the building, 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.