Applications, Licences and Permits

  • Waterloo Region is responsible for keeping roadways safe, managing traffic flows and protecting infrastructure. Get the application you need, and apply for a permit today.  Please refer to the most current version of the Region of Waterloo Fee and Charges By-law 20-001 for any related fees and/or charges associated with your application.
Access Permit (New! Online application and payment now available.

An access permit is required by anyone wanting to create a point of entry on to a property from a Regional road. 

Please contact CorridorPlanning@regionofwaterloo.ca prior to filling out one of the following online applications: 

Additional resources:

Please contact CorridorPlanning@regionofwaterloo.ca for online payment for "Other" permit access application payments. 
Film Permit

The Region of Waterloo supports the film industry and issues film permits for approved filming projects in our community. You must apply for a permit before you can start filming on a Regional road. This allows us to protect Regional property, while ensuring the rights, safety and privacy of our citizens. Please submit the permit no later than five business days before filming. When filming on property that is not Regional property, please ensure the proper permissions are in place as well as all applicable insurances.
Oversize Load and Superload Permits

An oversize/overweight permit is required for any vehicles travelling on Regional roads when the dimensions or weight of a vehicle(s) exceeds the normal limits permitted by legislation.

 

NOTE:                                            

*It is the responsibility of any proponent moving oversize loads and/or vehicles on Regional roads, to be aware of all the oversize load requirements including minimum/maximum tolerances, and exception limits, as set out in the Highway Traffic Act.  

The Region of Waterloo is comprised of three Cities (Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo) and four Townships (North Dumfries, Wilmot, Wellesley and Woolwich).

 

NB:  Half-Load Restrictions may apply on certain rural roads, typically during the spring thaw.

  

When a half-load restriction is in place, vehicles or loads over a certain weight class are not permitted to use the road. These restrictions will apply on non Regional roads in the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich. Please contact the area Municipalities for non-regional road restrictions.

   

Permits will be issued in two (2) categories:

 

1)    Oversize Load:

        

        Vehicle and/or loads within the following limits:

  •  A vehicle, load or combination thereof between 2.60 metres and 5.99 metres in width
  •  A vehicle, load or combination thereof between 12.50 metres and 45.74 metres in length
  •  A combination of vehicles (including load) coupled together between 23.0 metres and 45.74 metres in length     
  •  A vehicle, load or combination thereof between 4.15 metres and 4.99 metres and in height 
  •  A vehicle, load or combination thereof between 70,000kg and 119,999kg in weight

   

2)    Superload:

 

        Vehicle and/or loads within the following limits:

  • A vehicle, load or combination thereof that exceeds 5.99 metres in width (equal to or greater than 6.0 metres)
  • A vehicle, load or combination thereof that exceeds 45.74 metres in length (equal to or greater than 45.75 metres)
  • A vehicle, load or combination thereof that exceeds 4.99 metres in height (equal to or greater than 5.0 metres)    
  • A vehicle, load or combination thereof that exceeds 119,999kg in weight (equal to or greater than 120,000kg)

 

 

    Please review the revised Oversize Load and Superload Terms and Conditions before applying.

 

  • Apply for permit  (Please note that Permit Types, Limits and Terms and Conditions have changed)
Salvage Shops and Yards Application

The Region of Waterloo licenses and regulates salvage shop and salvage yard operations within the municipality, as per By-law 05-063. This type of operation includes recycling operations and used auto parts sales. The by-law ensures consumer protection by eliminating the possibility of intake and resale of stolen goods. The by-law also outlines standards for the shops and yards that protect our environment and ensure our communities remain beautiful for the residents and visitors of our Region. 

To apply for a salvage shop or yard licence please email us at les@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-575-4400 to set up an in-person appointment in our office. 

To renew and pay (Visa or Mastercard accepted) for your Salvage Shop and/or Yard License you can use the online application form.
Second Hand Goods Shops and Dealers

The Region of Waterloo licenses and regulates second hand shop and dealer businesses within the municipality, as per By-law 05-062. These types of businesses include the buying and selling of second hand merchandise as outlined in the by-law. The by-law ensures consumer protection by eliminating the possibility of intake and resale of stolen goods.  

To apply for a second hand goods shop or dealers licence please email us at les@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-575-4400 to set up an in-person appointment in our office. 

To renew and pay (Visa or Mastercard accepted) for your Second Hand Goods Shop and/or Dealer License you can use the online application form.
Special Event Permit
A special event permit is required for anyone wanting to hold a parade/procession, ceremony, street dance/party, beer garden, solicitation of donations from a motor vehicle (toll road), sidewalk/street sale, festival/carnival, race/walk-a-thon, demonstration or any similar event that requires a lane or road closure or may interfere with the normal flow of traffic on a Regional Road, but does not include a wedding or funeral procession, picketing, or an activity for which the Region has granted a Filming Event Permit or a Work Permit.
Apply for Permit in the Originating Municipality

Special Food Event Applications 

Taxi-Cab Applications
 Taxi-Cab Broker
There are 2 types of broker licenses that can be issued by the Region of Waterloo; Metered Broker License and an Auxiliary Broker license. Below is a summary of the responsibilities identified in the By-law: (amendments 1, 2, 3)
  • must have a telephone number, email address or on-line enabled application that is solely for the use of the Brokerage to serve customers
  • a web site where the Taxi-Cab Broker posts its contact information, as applicable;
  • have a digital dispatch system and automated vehicle locator system that allows the Broker to communicate with and locate a taxi-cab that operates through the broker. 

New application and/or renewal for Metered and Auxiliary Taxi-Cab Brokers

New or renewal for Metered Taxi-Cab Broker Application Form

New or renewal for Auxiliary Taxi-Cab Broker Application Form

 Standard Taxi and Accessible Taxi Data Submission
 Submit Monthly Data for Standard Taxi and Accessible Taxi
Taxi-Cab Owner 
Application and renewal process for Metered Taxi-Cab Owners

Apply for a Metered Taxi-Cab Owners License, complete the Metered Taxi-Cab Owners Application or Renewal Form

The following Metered Taxi-Cab Brokerages are authorized to issue taxi licenses and collect fees:

  • United Taxi
  • Waterloo Taxi
  • City Cabs
  • Golden Triangle Taxi

If the Metered or Auxiliary Taxi-Cab Brokerage you are applying to or renewing with is not authorized to issue Region of Waterloo taxi licenses or collect fees, please contact les@regionofwaterloo.ca to set up an appointment for application review. 
Taxi-Cab Driver 
Application and renewal process for Taxi-cab Drivers

Apply for a Taxi-Cab Driver License (Metered or Auxiliary),  complete the Taxi-Cab / Auxiliary Driver Application or Renewal Form. 

The following Brokerages are authorized to issue taxi licenses and collect fees:

  • United Taxi
  • Waterloo Taxi
  • City Cabs
  • Golden Triangle Taxi
  • Lyft Canada Inc
  • UBER Canada
  • RideCo
  • RideON

If the Metered or Auxiliary Taxi-Cab Brokerage you are applying to or renewing with is not authorized to issue Region of Waterloo taxi licenses or collect fees, please contact les@regionofwaterloo.ca to set up an appointment for application review. 
Taxi-Cab Vehicle 
Application and renewal process for Metered and Auxiliary Taxi-Cab Vehicles

Apply for a Taxi-Cab Vehicle License (metered or Auxiliary), complete the Taxi-Cab / Auxiliary Vehicle License application or Renewal form. 

The following Brokerages are authorized to issue taxi licenses and collect fees:

  • United Taxi
  • Waterloo Taxi
  • City Cabs
  • Golden Triangle Taxi
  • Lyft Canada Inc
  • UBER Canada
  • RideCo
  • RideON

If the Metered or Auxiliary Taxi-Cab Brokerage you are applying to or renewing with is not authorized to issue Region of Waterloo taxi licenses or collect fees, please contact les@regionofwaterloo.ca to set up an appointment for application review. 

Temporary Sign Permit

Approval is required from the Region of Waterloo in order to erect temporary signs.
Tobacconist and Specialty Vape Store Applications

The Ontario Ministry of Health requires businesses who choose to open and operate as either a Tobacconist or a Specialty Vape Store within Ontario, send their completed application to their local Public Health unit, where the business will be located. In the Region of Waterloo, the appropriate application shall be filled out and emailed to the Licensing and Enforcement Services department, for review by a Tobacco Enforcement Officer, and to discuss next steps in the process.

 

Please see below for the application that is applicable to your business. If you either require further assistance in completing your application, or if you feel that your application is ready to be submitted, please email to, the Licensing and Enforcement Services department.



Tobacconist Stores

Speciality Vape Stores

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 allows the sampling and display of vapour products in specialty vape stores if they meet certain conditions. Read more about the rules for selling tobacco and vapour products.
Tree Cutting Permit

Conservation of Trees (cutting, removal or destruction)

The Regional Municipality of Waterloo endeavours to protect our natural forests and greenbelts for future generations and enhance the beauty of our communities.  The Region's tree conservation By-law 08-026, applies to all woodland or forested areas that are at least one hectare or more in size with:

  • 1,000 trees, of any size, per hectare;
  • 750 trees, measuring over five centimetres in diameter, per hectare;
  • 500 trees, measuring over 12 centimetres in diameter, per hectare; or
  • 250 trees, measuring over 20 centimetres in diameter, per hectare

The by-law does not cover a cultivated fruit or nut orchard or a plantation established for the purpose of producing Christmas trees.

To apply for a tree harvesting permit you can use the on-line application form for a Good Forestry Practices permit found here or email us at les@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-575-4400.
Work Permit

The Region of Waterloo is responsible for traffic control operations and maintenance on Regional roads within the municipality. We aim to create and maintain safe and convenient roadways for users, ensure the longevity of the Region's infrastructure, and maintain a clean, safe community for all to enjoy.

Who requires a work permit?
Anyone wanting to occupy a Regional road, shoulder, sidewalk or right-of-way, even if the work is not expected to damage the road. The permit must be obtained in advance of the work being done.
When is a permit required?
For all work including excavation, cut or trench; to install, construct, place, move, remove, relocate, adjust, alter, clean, maintain, test, repair, replace, improve or restore infrastructure in, over, under, across or along a Regional road, or on any road that extends from a Regional road on to private property, or on an unopened Regional road.
Why is a permit required?
For the purpose of constructing or modifying an access in which an Access Permit was required and approved, a copy of the approved Access Permit must accompany the submission of the Work Permit.
How long does it take to obtain a permit?
Applications must be submitted prior to the planned date of the work.
  • Allow 10 business days to process permit for full road closures (40 business days for detours to Provincial Highways)
  • Allow 5 business days to process permit for works requiring lane closures
  • Allow 3 business days for works not requiring lane closures
Additional Requirements.

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