Clothing Drop Box Location Permit

  • All for-profit businesses and charitable and not-for-profit operators must obtain a Clothing Drop Box Operator licence.
  • All operators (for-profit and charitable/not-for-profit) must obtain a Clothing Drop Box Location permit for each box.
  • Permit stickers must be clearly displayed on each box.
  • Boxes must be placed in an area with lighting at all times to allow for safe operation of the boxes. Operators must provide photos to confirm that the boxes meet this requirement.
  • Clearly display a schedule on each box that outlines when the content will be picked up.

Sole proprietorships (individuals), partnerships or corporations.

Please review the application requirements and complete any required forms.

At the time of application for a new permit or renewal of an existing permit, operators will be given colour-coded sticker to indicate if the box is operated by a charitable/not-for-profit organization or a for-profit business.

Clothing Drop Box Locations

Applicants must provide the municipal address(es) of the site where the clothing drop box(es) will be located.

Site Plans

A detailed site plan or survey, identifying the location of the clothing drop box on the premises, must be provided. Site plans should include:

  • address
  • property lines
  • set back requirements
  • location of any intersections, driveways, sidewalks and traffic control devices
  • location of lighting
  • aerial images are not permitted

A 250 metre separation is required if a third box is being added to the location.

Letter from Property Owner or Property Manager

Applicant must submit the following:

  • letter from the property owner or management company indicating that the clothing drop box can be erected, displayed, located or placed on the premises
  • Complete Property Owner Permission Letter – to be filled out by Property Owner/Management Company

Municipal Licensing and Standards may contact the Property Owner/Manager to verify consent.

Safety Statement from Professional Engineer

Applicants must provide a signed statement from a third-party professional engineer stating that the engineer has reviewed the design of your box, considered the potential safety risks and determined that the box appropriately mitigates potential injury. If you are using more than one type of box, you will need to provide a signed statement for each design.

Certificate of Insurance

Applicants must provide proof of $2,000,000 in Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. The completed Certificate of Insurance must be signed and stamped by the insurer.

You can apply for new business licences online or in-person.

Apply online

Save yourself time and apply online. Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the application, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to submit a new application. Licence application fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.

Submit Application

If you have already submitted an application you may upload additional documents using your upload token.

Upload Documents for Existing Request

Apply in-person

In-person services are available at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor.
You must bring hard copies of all application requirements. Applications will not be started unless all requirements are provided. Digital copies of documents will not be accepted.

Payment can only be made by debit, credit or cheque. Cash will not be accepted.

Walk-in Services

Walk-in services are available once a week.
Please contact MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca for the next weekday availability.

Please note office hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-4:00pm.
The office is closed from 12:30–1:30pm daily.

Appointments

Appointment services are available. Please contact MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca.
Please arrive 10-15 mins early to check in and be on time for your appointment or you may be turned away and asked to re-book for another day and time, subject to availability.

Location permits for each box: $128.18

Councillors will be notified of all new permit requests.

  • All applications for new boxes will be circulated to the Councillor for comment.
  • Councillors will be given 14 days to refuse a permit request.
  • Applicants will be advised of their application status by email.
  • If a request is refused, applicants can appeal to Municipal Licensing and Standards Division via letter or email signed by the Clothing Drop Box Operator.
  • Municipal Licensing and Standards Division will draft a report to the relevant local Community Council. The City will advise the Clothing Drop Box Operator of the Community Council meeting date.

Boxes without a permit

If a clothing box does not have an easily visible permit sticker:

  • The City will post a notice on the box.
  • If the box is not removed within three days, the City will remove it and immediately dispose of the box and contents. The box and contents will no longer be held for 30 days.

Boxes on public property

Clothing drop boxes placed on the City’s right-of-way (streets, boulevards, sidewalks) will be removed immediately.

Boxes with a permit

The City can revoke a permit if the owner/operator has unpaid fines. The City also has the authority to remove any box that contravenes the Clothing Drop Boxes Bylaw and dispose of the box and content immediately.

Your permit will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the permit was first issued. A renewal notice, identifying any documents required to renew the permit, will be mailed to the address on file.

The renewal fee is $128.18 for a location permit for each box.

Existing permit holders must renew their permits online. Permit renewal fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.

Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the renewal, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to renew a licence or permit.

Renew Permit

Find your outstanding business licence or permit renewal invoice.

If you fail to renew your permit according to the bylaw, your permit will be cancelled and you will have to reapply.

Permit holders must continue to provide proof of $2,000,000 in Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. The completed Certificate of Insurance must be signed and stamped by the insurer. The Certificate must be sent by email to MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca directly from the Insurance Representative.

If you fail to renew your permits according to the bylaw, they will be cancelled and you will have to reapply.

Requirements

Applicants will be required to do the following at the time of permit renewal:

  • A signed Certificate of Insurance

Renewal Forms