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.

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

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).

For additional information, see also Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

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 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 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
  • Property tax payments and customer service requests (Scroll to bottom of 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,

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.

Huron Lodge Long-Term Care Home

Visit the Huron Lodge home page for information on vaccinations, designated caregivers and more, and see Huron COVID-19 Updates and Frequently Asked Questions. 

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.
  • Dog licences can be purchased online utilizing E-Services.
  • For general inquiries email licences@citywindsor.ca or call 311.

Maintenance

All road and sewer maintence 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

  • Parks and trails are open for informal recreation purposes, but users are asked to please observe social distancing. Provincial guidelines for gatherings must be observed.
  • Open, as long as two metres physical distancing can be maintained:
    • Parks and recreational areas, including benches
    • Playgrounds, play structures, and play equipment
    • Off-leash dog parks
    • Outdoor sports facilities, such as golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts and skate parks
    • Baseball diamonds, soccer fields and other multi-use fields (excluding permitted sports fields)​
    • Picnic sites and picnic tables
  • Organized public events or social gatherings of more than one hundred people held outdoors are prohibited.
  • Eight of the City’s splash pads are open. Splash pads are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. See list of splash pad locations.​
  • All parks washrooms are open and will remain open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, weather permitting. However, some locations start to close as early as 7 p.m. as staff cycle through.

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 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​.

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

  • Eight of the City’s splash pads are open.
  • Sandpoint Beach is open. Supervised beach hours will remain consistent with previous years with lifeguards on duty from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily, weather and water quality permitting, until Sunday, September 5, 2021.
  • All six (6) outdoor pools are open. 
  • Recreation and Culture is offering camps at three (3) sites. Camp locations include Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, Forest Glade Community Centre and Windsor Water World. Registration is via ActiveWindsor.ca.
  • Picnic permitting has resumed for a maximum of 25 people per permitted site.
  • Sports field permits are now available. Permitting for outdoor sports leagues is also available based on demand and availability, as field conditions allow.
  • Outdoor dining and patio extensions without live entertainment have resumed, subject to restrictions.
  • Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies with capacity limited to permit 2 metres physical distancing 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), Jackson Park, Mary E. Bibb Park, Reaume Park and Alexander Park.
  • Arenas, indoor pools, Cannon Cove, Adventure Bay Family Water Park Presented by WFCU Credit Union, indoor museums and all other cultural facilities remain closed at this time.
  • Any inquires can be directed to parkrec@citywindsor.ca

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:

  • Children’s Services fee subsidy for child care is available online or by phone.
  • EarlyON Child and Family Services continues to provide programming with a variety of virtual options. Planning is currently underway to implement a phased-in approach to pre-registered, in-person programming for children and families. Visit the Children's Services page for further 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, although access is via telephone or email, rather than in person:

  • Children’s Services administrative supports
  • Housing administrative supports
  • Employment and Training Services administrative support
  • Ontario Works administrative supports
  • Access to Ontario Works and Emergency Assistance benefits

Transit

For the latest on Transit Windsor operations during the pandemic, see Transit Windsor COVID-19 Service Update.

  • Protective barriers have been installed on all Transit Windsor buses. Transit Windsor returned to front-door boarding and fare collection as of October 26, 2020.
  • 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.
  • Effective Tuesday, September 8, 2020, 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.

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.

 

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