Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update on City of Windsor Services
Windsor is currently under the provincial stay-at-home order that was implemented for all of Ontario as of April 8, 2021. The City of Windsor service adjustments listed below are up to date according to instructions under the current provincial designation. Learn more from the Province of Ontario about the COVID-19 shutdown: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures.
Latest News:
See more past updates in the Newsroom.
Status of Municipal Buildings
Buildings at 350 City Hall Square West and 2450 McDougall will be closed to the public unless an appointment has been arranged in advance.
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 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).
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.
Council Services (Office of the City Clerk)
Marriage license applications will be accepted electronically only. Visit our Marriage Licenses page for more details.
Economic Development (Office of the Chief Administrative Officer [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 COVID-19, 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 (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 not be offered.
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 has been taking and will continue to take applications for business, lottery, gaming and animal licence processing. In-person services are currently not being offered; however, submissions are currently being accepted by mail as well as electronically. Please call 519-255-6200, option 1 for more information.
Maintenance
Pothole patching continues, but other routine road and sewer maintenance will not be offered. Eeling program will continue.
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.
- Effective April 6, 2021 the Public Works Office at 1266 McDougall Street is closed to public access.
- In an effort to keep everyone as safe as possible, we ask that residents continue to use alternate payment methods, either online or by secured drop box, if possible.
- Outstanding parking ticket payments can still be made online, mailed in or submitted through the secure front door mail slot at 1266 McDougall Avenue.
- For more information, visit the parking enforcement page.
Parks (Update by the Province April, 18)
- 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
Closed (including but not limited to):
- Outdoor sports facilities, such as golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts and skate parks
- Baseball diamonds, soccer fields and other multi-use fields
- Picnic sites and picnic tables
Parks staff are busy posting signage as a reminder of the provincial government orders and urge residents to respect these shutdown requirements. Trails and parks remain open for physically distanced activities such as walking, to promote physical fitness and mental health.
- Some washrooms that are in winterized buildings (Malden Park Visitor Centre, Riverfront at North Assumption Park, Caron Avenue, Bistro/Dieppe, Festival Plaza, Charles Clark Square and Jackson Park's Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens) will remain open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 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 (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
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 operating remotely. 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
On November 30, 2020, the City suspended all indoor recreational services in pools, arenas and community centres. Restrictions will remain in place until further notice to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In-person after-school programming has been suspended until in-person learning at elementary and secondary school resumes. After-school “on-line” and a variety of virtual programming options are available. More information is available at www.activewindsor.ca and click on “Activities”. Tenants leasing space in City facilities for after-school programs has been paused until in-person learning resumes. Tenants leasing space to operate other businesses deemed “essential” by the Province will continue to have access to their space.
Social Services (Office of the Commissioner of Community Development and Health Services):
Housing & Homelessness Services:
The City of Windsor continues to offer programs and services virtually 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.
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, 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 will be delayed.