The City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks, Use of, Article XII allows for the establishment of Access Areas around certain Social Infrastructure. The goal is to ensure that people can safely and freely access Social Infrastructure and its programs and services without interference or intimidation.
Social Infrastructure is defined as childcare centres, elementary, middle or high schools, and places of worship.
An Access Area, when established by the City, covers any City Property that is within 50 metres from the boundaries of the property on which Social Infrastructure is located. Specific behaviours are prohibited at certain times in an Access Area.
An owner/operator of Social Infrastructure may submit a request for the establishment of an Access Area through the online form. The General Manager, Transportation Services, will assess the request and establish an Access Area where it meets the requirements set out in Chapter 743. The Access Area is valid for one year and specific behaviours are prohibited in the Access Area during the periods starting one hour before and ending one hour after the Social Infrastructure’s operating hours and when the Social Infrastructure is being used for its primary purpose outside of those periods.
The following activities are prohibited in an Access Area during the times described above:
An Access Area does not prohibit peaceful gatherings, protests or demonstrations, including any activities that occur as part of a labour union strike, information pickets and/or activities related to a Labour Dispute.
Signage to indicate an Access Area has been established will be posted by owners or operators as directed by the City. Owners may be required to post signage in a manner and location(s) satisfactory to the City. Notice of all established Access Areas will be posted on the City’s website and will include the address of the Social Infrastructure, a description of the area covered by the Access Area, and the one-year term that the Access Area is in effect.
An area established by the General Manager, Transportation Services, City of Toronto, under § 743-56A and covers any City property that is within 50 metres from the boundaries of the property on which the social infrastructure is located.
A childcare centre, a place of worship, or a school.
A person who owns or controls the entity operating out of or managing the social infrastructure.
The registered owner of the property where the social infrastructure is located and includes an operator.
Some City-owned, leased or controlled property, such as certain public squares, may be excluded from an Access Area.
To request an Access Area, complete the online form and attestation. You must be the owner or operator of the Social Infrastructure.
Once your request is submitted you will receive an email confirmation of receipt. Once your request has been reviewed by City staff, you will be contacted directly.
Where a request meets the requirements of Chapter 743, City staff will establish the Access Area by notifying the requester and posting notice on the City’s website.
The Access Area covers any City-owned property that is within 50 metres from the boundaries of the below properties on which the Social Infrastructure is located.
| Social Infrastructure Address | Term of Access Area | |
|---|---|---|
| Start | End | |
| 1700 Bathurst Street | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 18 Neptune Drive | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 18 Reiner Road | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 1920 Avenue Road | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 1950 Bathurst Street | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 252 Finch Avenue West | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 2640 Bayview Avenue | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 2742 Bathurst Street | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 3080 Bayview Avenue | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 59 Lissom Crescent | July 10, 2025 | July 10, 2026 |
| 45 Canyon Avenue | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 159 Almore Avenue | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 819 Sheppard Avenue West | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 1700 Bathurst Street | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 200 Wilmington Avenue | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 2760 Bathurst Street | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 147 Overbrook Place | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 5950 Bathurst Street | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 18 Rockford Road | July 11, 2025 | July 11, 2026 |
| 37 Southbourne Avenue | July 14, 2025 | July 14, 2026 |
| 100 Elder Street | July 14, 2025 | July 14, 2026 |
| 99 Beverly Hills Drive | July 15, 2025 | July 15, 2026 |
| 465 Patricia Avenue | July 15, 2025 | July 15, 2026 |
| 1 Viewmount Avenue | July 15, 2025 | July 15, 2026 |
| 475 Patricia Avenue | July 16, 2025 | July 16, 2026 |
| 5 Glen Park Avenue | July 16, 2025 | July 16, 2026 |
| 55 Yeomans Road | July 17, 2025 | July 17, 2026 |
| 55 Yeomans Road | July 18, 2025 | July 18, 2025 |
| 47 Glenbrook Avenue | July 22, 2025 | July 22, 2026 |
| 360 Spadina Road | July 23, 2025 | July 23, 2026 |
| 1445 Eglinton Avenue West | July 25, 2025 | July 25, 2026 |
| 470 Glencairn Avenue | July 25, 2025 | July 25, 2026 |
| 77 Glen Rush Boulevard | July 25, 2025 | July 25, 2026 |
| 210 Wilson Avenue | July 25, 2025 | July 25, 2026 |
| 4588 Bathurst Street | July 28, 2025 | July 28, 2026 |
| 12 Heaton Street | July 29, 2025 | July 29, 2026 |
| 501 Arlington Avenue | July 30, 2025 | July 30, 2026 |
| 750 Spadina Avenue | July 31, 2025 | July 31, 2026 |
| 3600 Bathurst Street | July 31, 2025 | July 31, 2026 |
| 585 Glengrove Avenue | August 8, 2025 | August 8, 2026 |
| 63 Barker Avenue | August 12, 2025 | August 12, 2026 |
| 3560 Bathurst Street | August 12, 2025 | August 12, 2026 |
| 750 Spadina Avenue | August 13, 2025 | August 13, 2026 |
| 459 Bloor Street West | August 13, 2025 | August 13, 2026 |
| 5050 Dufferin Street | September 4, 2025 | September 4, 2026 |
| 2609 Bayview Avenue | September 4, 2025 | September 4, 2026 |
Once an Access Area is established by the City, it will be in effect for a one-year term beginning on and including the date the City publishes notice of the Access Area on its website.
The prohibited activities listed in Chapter 743 apply during the following times:
“Operating Hours” are defined in Chapter 743 as the hours posted by the owner for when the Social Infrastructure is open or used for public access
Transportation Standards Officers, supported by the Toronto Police Service when needed, are responsible for enforcing the bylaw using an education-first and progressive enforcement approach. Toronto Police will address any conduct that violates the Criminal Code and will continue to support the City in safe, respectful access to public spaces.
The goal of the Emergency Services Safe Access Plan is to ensure that fire trucks, ambulances, and emergency crews can quickly and safely reach the building/facility in the event of an emergency.
This includes ensuring that access to building entrances, fire hydrants, and the fire department connection remain clear at all times.
Owners and operators are responsible for compliance with all fire safety regulations under the Ontario Fire Code as it pertains to emergency access and any other applicable sections. This may include but is not limited to the following sections:
1.2.1.1. – Owner’s responsibility
Section 2.5 Fire Department Access to Buildings
Section 2.8 Emergency Planning
Section 6.6 Water Supplies for Fire Protection
Adherence to these regulations is essential to ensure safe and effective access to the facility. Owners and operators should endeavor to ensure the necessary safety measures will be implemented and maintained in accordance with applicable laws and standards at all times. Non-compliance may result in charges under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
In situations involving an immediate threat to life or public safety where emergency access is necessary, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services have the right to request police assistance and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable Provincial Legislation and Standards to carry out their duties.
Owners and operators with concerns that their facility is inaccessible due to activity should be directed to 311 or call non-emergency 416-808-2222.
In December 2024, City Council directed the City Manager in consultation with the City Solicitor, applicable City divisions, the Toronto Police Service and other applicable stakeholders, to report to City Council with a proposed bylaw, with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable institutions such as places of worship, faith-based schools and cultural institutions, that supports the City’s commitment to keeping Torontonians safe from hate and protects Charter rights that address impacts of demonstrations that target people based on their identity as prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
On May 21 and 22, 2025 Toronto City Council amended City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks, Use of, by adding Article XII – Access to Social Infrastructure.
Agenda Item CC30.5 – Proposed By-law Amendment to Provide Access to Social Infrastructure. The amended bylaw came into effect on July 2, 2025.