Fire Hydrant Use Permit

Online application and payment must be made at least 10 business days in advance of the requested date. Once the application and payment are processed, you will receive a receipt, the permit(s) and Customer Service Request (CSR) number(s) for future reference.

Apply and pay online

Payment must be made by credit card (American Express, VISA or Mastercard). If you need more information about this payment process, please contact TWC@toronto.ca.

Information needed to apply

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

For Toronto Water construction projects: You will be asked to provide a City of Toronto contact name and contract number.

For pool filling: Hoses cannot cross a street or sidewalk. Should you wish to use a hydrant that may result in the hose crossing a neighbour’s property and/or driveway, it is recommend that you get the neighbour’s verbal permission before you submit an application. Failure to get permission could result in the hose being removed or the request being declined.

Fees for fire hydrant use permits are approved by Toronto City Council annually.

If you require less than or equal to 50 m³ of water

You will be charged the annual permit fee + the cost of 50 m³ of water at the Block 1 Water Rate.

If you require greater than 50 m³ of water

You will be charged the annual permit fee + $500 deposit.

• The City will install a water meter on the hydrant to record the amount of water used.
• Water use will be charged at the Block 1 Water Rate.
  • If the amount of water used at the Block 1 Rate equals less than $500, you will be issued a refund.
  • If the amount of water used equals more than $500, you will be issued an invoice.

Step 1: Book “Turn On/Turn Off” appointment

Appointments can be made between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Toronto Water staff will call you within four business days of receiving the application to:

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

Step 2: Hydrant “Turn On” date

If the certified contractor is not feeling unwell or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms on the day of your appointment, please contact TWC@toronto.ca to cancel or reschedule. The certified contractor may also have a representative attend in their place if the replacement contractor is well and exhibiting no signs of COVID-19.

Masks are no longer required in settings such as retail stores, bars, restaurants, gyms, community centres or museums, but are strongly recommended. When possible, the City suggests the following precautions:

• Permit holder (or representative) physically distance from City of Toronto staff by keeping 2 metres (6 feet) away.
• Wear face masks and gloves.

The following steps will be taken at the fire hydrant:

• City of Toronto staff will install a water meter to track water use, gate valve, and backflow valve.
• Once installed, City of Toronto staff will step away the required 2 metres to allow the permit holder (or representative) to install their hose, bib, chain and lock.
• Staff will not complete the hydrant turn on if they feel unsafe.

On the “Turn On” date, you must bring a 5 cm (2-inch) fire hose for each hydrant (and a chain and lock).

Step 3: Hydrant “Turn Off” date

Due to the COVID-19, there are important health and safety precautions which must be taken by both the City of Toronto and the permit holder (or representative) in order to turn off the fire hydrant.

If you are feeling unwell or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms on the day of your appointment, please contact TWC@toronto.ca to cancel or reschedule. You may also have a representative attend in your place if they are well and exhibiting no signs of COVID-19.

The following steps will be taken at the fire hydrant:

• Meet staff at the agreed upon date and time so that they can remove the chain and lock, hose, meter and backflow prevention device.
• City of Toronto staff will wear face masks and gloves.
• Permit holder (or representative) must physically distance from City of Toronto staff at all times by keeping 2 metres 6 feet) away.
• If you fail to arrive, staff will attempt to call you.
• If you cannot be reached, staff will turn off the hydrant, cut the chain and remove the backflow device and meter.
• 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 you paid a deposit and the amount of water used at the Block 1 Water Rate equals less than $500, you will be issued a refund by cheque.
• Due to COVID-19, refunds may take longer to issue than the usual six to eight weeks from the turn off date.

If you have a question about a refund, please contact the Toronto Water staff who booked your appointment or TWC@toronto.ca.

Invoices

• If you did not provide a deposit and used more than 50 cubic meters of water, you will be issued 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 at the Block 1 Water Rate, you will be issued an invoice for the difference based on the Block 1 Water Rate.

If you have questions about an invoice, please contact the Revenue Services representative listed on the invoice.

• Please contact the Toronto Water staff who booked the turn on/turn off date at least 24 hours before the scheduled appointment.
• Requests to extend hydrant use will not be accepted when staff arrive on-site to turn off the water.
• If cancelling, the permit fee will be refunded by cheque, which will be sent to the applicant within six to eight weeks of the cancellation date.

Applicants are responsible for:

• the use of the hydrants only on the dates covered under the Permit.
• supplying a hose and industrial chain and lock for each of the requested hydrants.
• any claims that may arise while the hydrant was in use. Applicants must agree to compensate and hold the City of Toronto harmless for any claims.
• protecting the fittings, backflow prevention device and water meter supplied by the City. This includes 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 hydrant.
• ensuring that hoses do not cross roadways or sidewalks.

Hydrants can only be operated by City staff. Any unauthorized use of fire hydrants is considered water theft and can result in enforcement of the Water Supply By-law and possible prosecution.