If you plan to do work on the City's right of way, such as installing or widening a driveway, or need space on a sidewalk for repairs, you need a Right of Way Permit.
What this permit is for
A Right of Way Permit lets a homeowner, utility company or contractor work on the city's right of way. This includes the area from the road shoulder to your property line.
This permit allows us to:
- review your proposed work
- confirm pedestrian and traffic safety are addressed
- confirm you have adequate liability insurance
- respond to customer questions about the work
- keep a record of work completed
When you need this permit
You need a Right of Way Permit for work such as:
- installing a new driveway
- widening an existing driveway
- blocking a sidewalk for façade repairs
- any other work that occupies the city road allowance
You do not need this permit to resurface an existing driveway.
Steps to apply
- Review the requirements. Confirm your project meets city and zoning requirements before you apply, especially if you are installing or widening a driveway.
- Submit your application online. Apply for a Right of Way Permit.
- Provide insurance and safety plans. You may need to provide a certificate of insurance naming the City of St. Thomas as an additional insured. All work requires a traffic control plan, a public protection plan, or both. Traffic control must follow the Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 7, and Ministry of Labour requirements.
- Wait for approval. We will review your application to confirm it meets city requirements. If your project involves a driveway, we will check it against our zoning by-law.
- Pay your permit fee. Your fee is due once we approve your application.
- Complete your work. If your project involves a driveway, we will complete a final inspection once your work is finished to confirm restoration is satisfactory.
