Right to Enter Neighbour’s Property for Repairs
A right-of-entry permit can be granted to enter a neighbouring property to make repairs for health and safety reasons.
- If neighbours can come to an agreement on the access needed, then a right-of-entry permit is not required.
- There are two types of permits: low or high impact depending on the amount of work that needs to be done.
- The neighbour should be given reasonable notice and the land should be brought back to its original condition once repairs are complete.
When Do I Need to Apply for a Right-of-Entry Permit
You must apply for a permit if your neighbour does not agree to allow you to enter onto their property.
Right-of-entry permit applications will only be accepted if work is to be performed on an existing structure and the repair is necessary for health or safety reasons.
Email mlsroadallowance@toronto.ca to discuss the application in detail. Approval is required prior to submission of application materials.
How To Apply
Print and complete all of the forms below.
There are two types of permits: low-impact work and high-impact work. To determine which permit you require see the information below.
Permit Application Overview
This form provides a general overview of the permit application process and includes a list of what the applicant needs to submit.
Permit Application Form
This is the main application form. This form also needs to be completed if you are applying for a permit renewal. Please make sure that the form is completed in full and as accurately as possible. Counter staff will not accept incomplete applications.
Declaration of Responsibilities
By signing this form the applicant declares that he or she understands the obligations under the bylaw and permit and will abide by them. This form also needs to be submitted if a permit renewal is requested.
Right-of-Entry Preassessment Form
Permits generally take six to eight weeks to process. Applications must be done in person to the Licence and Permit Issuing Office (Road Allowance Unit) located inside the East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave, 3rd floor.
Right of Entry Fees
| Right of Entry Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Right of Entry – Low Impact Permit | $319.80 |
| Right of Entry – High Impact Permit | $1174.92 |
Right-of-entry permit fees are non-refundable. *All fees include HST
Security Deposit
- A security deposit is required in case the property is not brought back to its original condition.
- Low-impact deposit: $500
- High-impact deposit: minimum of $2,000
- The final security deposit amount for a high-impact permit will be determined as part of its application review.
- Low-impact permit security deposit may be held for up to 60 days from the completion of the work.
- High-impact permit security deposit will be held for twelve months after the completion of work.
- Only certified cheques or money orders are accepted for security deposits.
- Cheques are to be made out to Treasurer, City of Toronto.
Once You Are Licensed
Your licence will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the licence was first issued.
The renewal fee is
Low Impact: $176.59
High Impact: $387.95
*All fees include HST
A renewal notice, identifying any documents required to renew the licence, will be mailed to the address on file.
Payments received after the licence expiry date are subject to late fees in addition to the annual licence fee.
If you fail to renew your licence within 90 days of the specified renewal date, your licence will be cancelled and you will have to reapply.
Using Mediation in Right-of-Entry
Right-of-Entry permits are only necessary when an agreement between neighbours cannot be reached. In addition to the permit process, the City offers community mediation services through a partnership with St. Stephen’s Community House. St Stephen’s Community House provides free community mediation services to Toronto residents, as an alternative means to resolving a dispute with the help of neutral mediators.
Mediation can help the City deliver better service, divert some cases from bylaw enforcement, and get to the root cause of long-standing community or neighbour-to-neighbour issues. The process is separate from bylaw enforcement and completely confidential.
Residents may seek resolution to their issue using mediation services directly: St. Stephen’s Community House, Conflict Resolution & Training, 416-925-2103 ext. 1229, crt.intake@sschto.ca.