Fire Hydrant Use Permit

Apply and pay online at least 10 days before your requested date. After applying, you will receive a receipt, permit(s) and Customer Service Request number(s) for future reference.

Payment

You must pay by credit card (American Express, VISA or Mastercard). If you need more information about the payment process, contact TWC@toronto.ca.

What you need to apply

• Contact name, address and telephone number
• Reason for the fire hydrant use
• Location(s) of the requested fire hydrant(s)
• Start and end dates for use

For City water infrastructure construction projects: You will need to provide a City of Toronto contact name and contract number.

For pool filling: Hoses cannot cross a street or sidewalk. If you wish to use a fire hydrant that may result in the hose crossing a neighbour’s property or driveway, get the neighbour’s verbal permission before you apply. Failure to get permission could result in the hose being removed or the request being declined.

City Council approves the fees for fire hydrant use permits annually.

If you need 50 m³ of water or less

You will need to pay the fire hydrant permit fee plus the cost of 50 cubic metres (m³) of water at the Block 1 Water Rate.

If you need more than 50 m³ of water

You will need to pay the fire hydrant permit fee plus a $500 deposit.

• The City will install a water meter on the fire hydrant to record the amount of water used.
• Water use will be charged at the Block 1 Water Rate.
  • If your total water use costs less than $500, the City will refund the unused portion of your deposit.
  • If your total water use costs more than $500, the City will send you an invoice for the extra amount.

Step 1: Book “turn on/turn off” appointment

City staff will call you within four business days of receiving your application to:

• confirm the location of the fire hydrant(s) to be used
• book a time on the requested date(s) to turn the fire hydrant on and off

Appointments are available between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Step 2: Fire hydrant “turn on” date

On the “turn on” date, you must bring a 5 cm (2 inch) fire hose, chain and lock for each fire hydrant you will be using.

1. City staff will install a water meter, gate valve and backflow prevention device onto the fire hydrant.
2. The permit holder (or representative) installs their hose, bib, chain and lock.

City staff will not complete the fire hydrant turn on if they feel unsafe.

Step 3: Fire hydrant “turn off” date

1. Meet City staff at the fire hydrant on the agreed upon date and time so that they can remove the chain and lock, hose, water meter and backflow prevention device.
2. If you fail to arrive, City staff will attempt to call you. If you cannot be reached, staff will turn off the fire hydrant, cut the chain and remove the backflow prevention device and water meter. In this case, you will not be reimbursed by the City for cut chains or locks.
3. City staff will record the amount of water used as captured by the water meter. This will be used to process any refunds or invoices.

Refunds

• If your total water use at the Block 1 Water Rate costs less than $500, the City will refund the unused portion of your deposit.
• If you have a question about a refund, contact City staff who booked your appointment or TWC@toronto.ca.

Invoices

• If you did not provide a deposit and used more than 50 cubic metres of water, the City will send you an invoice for the difference based on the Block 1 Water Rate.
• If you paid a deposit and used more than $500 worth of water, the City will send you an invoice for the difference based on the Block 1 Water Rate.
• If you have questions about an invoice, contact the Revenue Services representative listed on the invoice.

• Contact City staff who booked the turn on/turn off date, or TWC@toronto.ca, at least 24 hours before the scheduled appointment.
• City staff will not accept requests to extend fire hydrant use when they arrive on-site to turn off the water.
• If cancelling, you will receive a refund by cheque for the permit fee within six to eight weeks of the cancellation date.

Applicants are responsible for:

• the use of the fire hydrants only on the dates covered under the permit
• supplying a hose and industrial chain and lock for each of the requested fire hydrants
• any claims that may arise while the fire hydrant was in use
  • You must agree to compensate and hold the City of Toronto harmless for any claim.
• protecting the fittings, backflow prevention device and water meter supplied by the City, including damage from frost or extreme cold weather
• covering the costs of any repairs or damage made to the fittings, backflow prevention device, water meter or fire hydrant
• ensuring that hoses do not cross roadways or sidewalks

Only City staff can operate fire hydrants. Any unauthorized use of fire hydrants is considered water theft and can result in enforcement of the Water Supply By-law and possible prosecution.