Applications, Licences and Permits

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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:

Residential/Farm Access Permit application form - Online form and payment - Farm, Single Family Detached, Semi-detached (Duplex)
Commercial Access Permit application form - Online form and payment
Access Closure application form - Online form

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.

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

Permits will be issued in two (2) categories:

1) Oversize Load: *(Valid until Expiry date of submitted Certificate of Insurance)

Vehicle and/or loads within the following limits:

2.61 metres and 6.0 metres in width; or
4.16 metres and 5.0 metres in height; or
a non-combination vehicle greater than 12.51metres in length;
a combination vehicle between 23.01 metres and 45.75 metres in length; or
63,501 kilograms and 119,999 kilograms in weight.

2) Superload:

Vehicle and/or loads within the following limits:

greater than 6.0 metres in width; or
greater than 5.0 metres in height; or
greater than 45.75 metres in length; or
greater than 119,999 kilograms in weight.

Terms and Conditions
- Terms and Conditions for Township of Woolwich
Apply for permit (Please note that Permit Types, Limits and Terms and Conditions have changed)

Half Load Restrictions

Regional roads do not have Half Load restrictions.

Regional roads by name
Please contact area Municipalities for non-regional road restrictions

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 visit the Licensing and Enforcement office at 150 Frederick Street, 2nd Floor, Kitchener, Ontario or call 519-575-4400.

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 visit the Licensing and Enforcement office at 150 Frederick Street, 2nd Floor, Kitchener, Ontario or call 519-575-4400.

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.

View our Special Event By-law

Apply for Permit in the Originating Municipality

Region of Waterloo, North Dumfries, Wilmot or Wellesley: Apply for permit
Cambridge: Apply for permit or call 519-621-0740x4324
Kitchener: Apply for permit or call 519-741-2200 x7373
Waterloo: Apply for permit or call 519-886-2310 x30270
Woolwich: Apply for permit or call 519-669-6041

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 From

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, bring the completed and signed application or renewal form to the Licensing and Enforcement Services Office located at 150 Frederick Street, 2nd floor, Kitchener, Ontario.

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
UBER Canada
RideCo
Lyft

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
UBER Canada
RideCo
Lyft

Temporary Sign Permit

Approval is required from the Region of Waterloo in order to erect temporary signs.

Tree Removal 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 natural 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 permit to remove a woodlot, cut trees, or otherwise injure or destroy a tree please contact Albert.

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.

The use of temporary electronic traffic control devices requires prior approval from the Region before use.
Traffic control must meet Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7 Temporary Conditions.
Certificate of Insurance
View our Work Permit By-law
Regional Standard Construction Specifications