Backgrounder
July 28, 2021
On July 28, the City of Toronto announced details of its plan for a safe and gradual reopening of City buildings to residents and staff. The phased reopening will begin with select in-person counter services available at City Hall and civic centres on Monday, August 9, in alignment with the provincial reopening plan and in accordance with public health guidelines.
The City will continue to deliver online digital services which have proven convenient to many Torontonians, and will also reopen its doors to residents and visitors for in-person services, ensuring choice, accessibility and equity for residents.
Visitors to City buildings will now be welcomed by greeters to assist with wayfinding, confirming available services at the location and to answer any questions.
All services listed below will reopen beginning on August 9, unless otherwise specified. Some services will require booking an appointment in advance, while others will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details on opening dates, locations and hours of operation are listed below.
A full list of City services, including hours of operation and appointment booking, is updated regularly on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services web page.
Buildings will remain closed for events, community meetings, displays and rental space.
City Counter Reopening Plan
The hours of operation for City buildings are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Note that some in-person services may have their own hours of operation. A full list of City services and operating hours can be found on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services web page.
City Hall
- City Clerks – City Clerks counters are moving to City Hall on August 16, by booking an appointment online. Hours of Operation: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Marriage licences
- Commissioning of documents
- Assessment roll and Toronto property system – microfilm and hard copy rolls to see who or what was at an address, and learn more about the resident or property
- Parks, Forestry & Recreation – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Revenue Services – Opening August 16. Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Property tax payments and inquiries
- Utility bill payments and inquiries
- Parking violation payments
- Toronto Building – By appointment only via a new online appointment request process. Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Zoning Inquiries for properties located in the Toronto and East York District only
- Transportation Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- Re-issuing of permits – change of plate, change of address, lost or stolen permit stickers
North York Civic Centre
- City Clerks – City Clerks counters will be open at North York Civic Centre until August 13, then will be moving to City Hall on August 16. Hours of Operation up to August 13: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Marriage licences
- Commissioning of documents
- Assessment roll and Toronto property system – micro film and hard copy rolls to see who or what was at an address, and learn more about the resident or property
- Parks, Forestry & Recreation
- Client services – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Forestry – tree permit applications, permit fees and inquiries – 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Revenue Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Property tax payments and inquiries
- Utility bill payments and inquiries
- Parking violation payments
- Transportation Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Construction – permit applications, pick up of construction permits, payment of fees, and inquiries
Scarborough Civic Centre
- Parks, Forestry & Recreation
- Client services – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Forestry – tree permit applications, permit fees and inquiries – 8:30: a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Revenue Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Property tax payments and inquiries
- Utility bill payments and inquiries
- Parking violation payments
- Transportation Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Construction – permit applications, pick up of construction permits, payment of fees, and inquiries
Etobicoke Civic Centre
- Parks, Forestry & Recreation
- Client services – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Forestry – tree permits applications, permit fees and inquiries – 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Revenue Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Property tax payments and inquiries
- Utility bill payments and inquiries
- Parking violation payments
- Transportation Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Construction – permit applications, pick up of construction permits, payment of fees, and inquiries
York Civic Centre
- Revenue Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Property tax payments and inquiries
- Utility bill payments and inquiries
- Parking violation payments
- Legal Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Provincial Offenses Act West – file motions, file applications, submit disclosure requests and pick up disclosure
East York Civic Centre
- Municipal Licensing & Standards – Opening September 9, by appointment only via a new online booking system that will be available closer to opening date. Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Vehicles for hire – licensing and regulations for taxicabs, limousines and private transportation companies (PTCs)
- Right of Way (ROW) permits and issuance, and CaféTO
- Business licensing
- Gaming services – application for lottery licences or permits, event-specific report forms and eligibility documents for new licences and renewals
- Revenue Services – Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Property tax payments and inquiries
- Utility bill payments and inquiries
- Parking violation payments
Metro Hall
Employment and Social Services offices will remain open at Metro Hall and continue to provide ongoing services. The Metro Hall Early Learning & Child Care Centre will continue operation as well. For in-person counter services, Metro Hall will remain closed to the public at this time.
Health and Safety Measures
The health and safety of residents, businesses and City staff remain key priorities in all re-opening plans. In accordance with public health guidelines, the health and safety measures that will be in place include:
- Building capacity limit of 30 per cent at all times including visitors and staff
- Mandatory mask policy
- Physical distancing of 6 feet (2 metres)
- Protective plexi-glass barriers at all counters
- Sanitizer dispensers throughout the building
- Increased cleaning protocols throughout the building
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca
Please note, this Backgrounder was updated on August 9, 2021 to reflect that a new online appointment request process is now available for Toronto Building (City Hall) and that counter service for Economic Development & Culture (Scarborough Civic Centre) will resume in September. A previous (July 28) version of the Backgrounder indicated that the new online appointment request process for Toronto Building would be available in August and that Economic Development & Culture service (Scarborough Civic Centre) would open in September by appointment only via a new online booking system that will be available closer to opening date.
