Building Services staff are doing everything possible to keep the building process moving in these unprecedented times. Please refer to the latest Building Services Announcement for detailed information.

Staff continue to take reports regarding by-law enforcement at (705) 739-4241 or enforcement.services@barrie.ca. A reduction in enforcement of the parking and noise by-laws is currently in effect.

On April 3, 2020, Mayor Jeff Lehman signed the Barrie COVID-19 Emergency Measures By-law to help protect the health and safety of residents. For full information visit barrie.ca/bylaws.

Outstanding parking tickets can be paid via barrie.ca/OnlineServices.

In light of recent developments related to COVID-19, project teams are monitoring and assessing impacts to construction schedules.

City road construction projects are generally proceeding as scheduled at this time. Please refer to the specific projects via barrie.ca/roadwork for detailed information.

As announced by the Province on March 23, construction work is included in the Provincial Government's list of essential services. We have ensured that all our City construction contractors have implemented COVID-19 safety protocol. Construction workers working on City projects are limiting contact with each other and additional hand sanitizers and wipes have been made available to them. No meetings are being held inside construction trailers, instead site meetings are being conducted via teleconference.

City staff (project managers, inspectors) involved in these projects are also following appropriate distancing and sanitizing protocols. The safety of City staff and our contractors is of utmost importance.

On March 19, the Province of Ontario passed the Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 to permit virtual participation in council, committee or local board meetings.

City Council, General Committee, and Planning Commitee meetings are being live streamed on the City's YouTube channel and Rogers TV. Upcoming virtual meetings are open for public participation. Information about how to participate in virtual meetings is outlined at Communicating wiith Council.

Meeting agendas are available at barrie.legistar.com.

Advisory Committee and Reference Committee meetings are not occurring at this time.

Provincial Offences Act Offices (45 Cedar Pointe Dr. & 575 West St. in Orillia) are closed to the public. Provincial Offences Act matters are being adjourned and rescheduled. Visit barrie.ca/CourtServices for full information.

Traffic Violations and other Provincial Offences Act tickets can be paid via barrie.ca/OnlineServices.

On May 6, the Province of Ontario announced that all retail stores with a street entrance can provide curbside pickup and delivery as of May 11. To help businesses and customers with curbside pickup, all on-street parking spaces on Dunlop St. from Poyntz St. to Toronto St. now have a limit of standing for 10 minutes or less, until further notice. Visit barrie.ca/DowntownParking for full information. ​​

The City's annual rain barrel sale is proceeding online only. Please visit barrie.ca/WaterConservation for full information.

All special events and theatre shows are cancelled until June 30.

The annual Canada Day event will take place virtually so residents can enjoy programming from the safety of their own homes. City staff are currently planning the virtual Canada Day programming. More details will be shared, once they are available.

As City Hall is closed until further notice there will be no flag raisings scheduled until after the facility reopens.

Please note the City has banned all yard sales at this time to prevent people from gathering, which would be contrary to the Provincial government’s emergency orders.

Fire & Emergency Service

• Barrie Fire response times are not impacted. Stations are closed to the public.
• Outdoor burning permits are available for purchase online only via barrie.ca/BurnPermits.
• Education events and activities, including station tours, are temporarily suspended.
• Fire Inspections for building permit purposes continue for non-occupied structures only, following public health standards. If an Emergency inspection situation should arise, it would be assessed on a case by case basis by the Fire Chief and would have to follow public health standards.
• Fire Prevention Officers are available to follow up on violations using photographs and video. They can be reached by phone or email: (705) 728-3199 or fire.prevention@barrie.ca .

Barrie Police Service

BPS is providing updates on how their response to COVID-19 will affect the public. The public is assured that the 911 system continues uninterrupted. Visit https://www.barriepolice.ca/bps-covid-19-updates for up-to-date information.

City facilities are closed to the public until further notice (community centres are closed until at least June 30).

Buildings remain open to staff for essential service delivery. Staff are ensuring increased sanitizing practices on all common touch points and public spaces at buildings that remain open, as well as Barrie Transit buses.

Service Barrie continues to be operational for email and phone service: ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca or 705-726-4242.

Curbside collection is occurring as scheduled. Limited free garbage tags are available to households who need them. Visit barrie.ca/CurbsideCollection for full information.

The landfill (272 Ferndale Dr. N.) is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 3pm, for urgent and essential use only. Visit barrie.ca/landfill for details.

The Household Hazardous Waste Facility (272 Ferndale Dr. N.) is open Saturdays only from 9am to 3pm, for urgent and essential use. Visit barrie.ca/HHW for details.

The Environmental Centre (272 Ferndale Dr. N.) remains closed to the public until further notice.

Barrie Public Library branches are closed. Please visit barrielibrary.ca for full information.

Building Permits
Building permit applications and inspections, subject to a few exceptions, remain operational. New permit applications are available through APLI only. Please refer to Building Services Announcements for up-to-date information.

Burn Permits
Outdoor burning permits are available for purchase online only via barrie.ca/BurnPermits.

Event Permits
No new event permits will be issued until at least June 30, 2020.

Marriage Licences
At this time the City is not issuing marriage licences. The service may resume for residents on an emergency basis. Please call Service Barrie 705-726-4242 for more information.

Right Of Way Activity (ROWA) Permits
Due to facility closures, applications must be submitted through email and payments must be made by cheque and dropped off at City Hall drop boxes (front entrance at 70 Collier St or entrance at back parking lot). Effective April 27, all ROWAP applications ​will be processed ​online through APLI​.

Development Services and other supporting department’s staff continue their work remotely. Staff are not available for in-person meetings but phone calls, conference calls, video meetings are all being used and we are happy to make arrangements to meet with you.

Planning support services can be obtained by emailing planneroftheday@barrie.ca.

Online applications for Committee of Adjustment, Pre-consultations, Site Plan, Site Plan exemptions and building permits are being processed.

Council, Planning Committee & Committee of Adjustment meetings have been suspended until further notice, therefore decisions on affected applications have been delayed. Recommendation reports are being prepared and finalized and will proceed to the appropriate decision body when meetings resume.

Due to COVID-19 emergency measures there has been a delay in the issuance of the Final property tax billing. It is expected to be completed in late June or early July with due dates adjusted accordingly.

The City is looking at all options to help residents and businesses through this challenging time. Please visit Property Tax Payment Options for information about property tax payments.

Road and sidewalk maintenance work is proceeding at this time.

City-run theatres are closed until further notice. Theatre shows are cancelled until June 30.

Should you have a question or concern related to a facility rental, ticket sale or any other inquiry please e-mail CE.Venues@barrie.ca or call 705-739-4299 and a member of the Recreation and Culture Services Departments will get back to you as soon as possible. 

The City is providing free Barrie Transit service until July 2, 2020, with hourly service. Riders must board and exit the bus from the rear door only, if able. Please refer to barrie.ca/TransitNotices for full details.

Water Wastewater Billing
There will be no new late fees or City-imposed non-sufficient funds (NSF) charges for property tax and water wastewater bills, and no water shutoffs will be carried out, until June 30, 2020.

Residential water/wastewater account holders can apply to eliminate the fixed charge for water and wastewater on their next bimonthly bill if they are suffering from financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

In addition, the payment due date grace periods have been extended for all residents and businesses for two billing periods.

Please visit Water Wastewater Billing for full information.

Water Treatment
The Surface Water Treatment Plant (20 Royal Parkside Dr.) and Wastewater Treatment Facility (249 Bradford St.) are closed to the public. Residents may notice water service crews working around the city in teams of one or two to complete essential work to keep water services working effectively and efficiently. These staff are practising physical distancing and taking precautions as advised by the Health Unit.