Right Of Way Activity (ROWA) Permit

1. Application for a right of way activity permit is made by completing the application process through APLI .
2. All permits are processed based on a queued priority system. An application will only be advanced ahead of other submissions from the same applicant.
3. All applications are subject to processing timelines, permits are not issued at the time of application. Standard processing timelines are dependent on the scope, duration and impacts of the intended work.
   • Normal processing timelines are 5 business days from the date that a complete application is submitted.
   • Work that includes closure of a roadway or other public facility may require up to 15 additional business days for processing to allow for coordination with other departments.
4. Staff processes the application and determines the appropriate permit fee and associated security fees and emails applicant.
5. Due to current facility closures, the payment of the fee must be completed through the APLI system.
6. ROWA Staff receive acknowledgement from Service Barrie that payment has been made or received and will email the Permit to the Applicant.
7. Upon successful Inspection, if necessary, the Security Deposit is then processed back to the applicant.
8. Right-of-Way Activity Permits are not transferable to another person, or persons.
9. Plans, file numbers or other cross-references such as Municipal Consents and Site Alteration Permits should be provided at time of application if the proposed works are part of a development project or utility installation.
10. Upon receipt of a request to work on a right-of-way or public lands, the applicant may be required to provide their business license as proof of eligibility to work in the City of Barrie. 

Other information may be requested in order to process an application.

All applications must include a copy of Comprehensive/Commercial General Liability insurance naming the City of Barrie as additional insured in the amount of 2 million dollars per the Right of Way Bylaw.

A Traffic Control Plan is applicable where traffic flow (vehicle or pedestrian) may be interrupted.

Both the insurance and Traffic Control Plan must remain valid for the duration of the intended work.

The applicant is required to pay a fee based on the type and the scope of the intended right of way activity. The applicant may be required to provide a performance deposit (security) with the City of Barrie if the intended activity is deemed to present a significant risk of causing adverse impacts to City property. This deposit will be determined by the City of Barrie as deemed suitable to restore any adverse impacts or actions needed to protect the public. Security deposits may be held for a period of one year following completion of work to ensure latent impacts to City property or public safety can be addressed.

Right of Way Activity

The fees for the below activities are outlined in Section 5 of the Fees By-law, Schedule E (PDF):

• Minor activity accessing the Right of Way: Identified as Landscaping, Disposal Bin, and Tree Removal.
• Major activity accessing the Right of Way: Identified as Utility Works, Pool installation, any excavation within the right of way.
• Site Servicing: All sanitary connections for Residential & Commercial Buildings,  Infill Lots & Development projects, City issued contracts and RFQs.
• Utility Service Connection: Previously known as "Service Drop” Permits.
• Driveway Widening – Curb Cut: Driveway curb cuts and Demolition Permits.
• Special Events
• Pavement Degradation Fee: All work involving one or more road cuts, based on road type and age.

The right of way is land owned by the City beyond the property line which includes the roadway, median, utility poles, sidewalks, and any area immediately adjacent to the street. Check your survey to see where your property line is.

A Right of Way Activity (ROWA) Permit constitutes permission from the City for work to commence in the event any ground is broken and/or equipment/machinery are operated on or transported across City property, including, and not limited to the roadway, curb, boulevard, sidewalk, parkland, open space, public walkways and environmentally protect lands.

Yes, you may need a permit. Many property owners don't realize that the City owns the land between the curb and your property line. Depending on many factors, your property could start up to 3 metres back from the sidewalk. Check your survey to see where your property line is.

A security deposit is a monetary amount collected by the Right-of-Way department from the Permit Applicant. In the event the Permit Applicant causes damage to the City owned Right-of-Way during construction and does not complete repairs that are deemed acceptable during the post-construction inspection, the City of Barrie draws funds from this amount to pay for the repairs. The remaining deposit amount shall be refunded to the Applicant. If the Permit Applicant does not cause any damage to the Right-of-Way, or the repairs are completed to current City standards satisfactory to the Right-of-Way inspector, the full deposit amount shall be refunded to the Applicant. All requests for release of security deposits MUST be initiated by email request to engineering.rowap@barrie.ca. The email must include homeowner’s or contractor’s name and mailing address for return cheque.

Driveway widening is based on the zoning of the property, width of the front yard and distance from City and Utility infrastructure including fire hydrants, streetlights, stop signs, boulevard trees, pedestals, hydro boxes and in some circumstances intersections. Please contact Service Barrie at 705-739-4242. For parking coverage in residential zones please refer to the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Section 5.3.6.1 Parking in Residential Zones.

Yes, you will need a right of way permit if any machinery will be on City property or will be moving around on City property a permit will be needed. It is recommended to inquire on a situational basis. If you are unsure, one of our staff will be glad to let you know if a permit is required.

The storage of construction material is not permitted on the roadway. However, with permission, the storage of construction material is permitted on the boulevard for up to 48 hours.

This is required for any occupancy that will be on the right of way that will impede traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular). We have provided an informational traffic control template (see Downloads section on this page) that can be used to aid in the creation of a traffic control plan. More information on traffic control can be found from the MTO traffic library. (Search Ontario Traffic Manual (book 7).

Each property owner, as per Council Motion 72-P-303, is responsible for maintenance and repair of their sanitary sewer line from the sewer main out on the street into their building.

Boulevard trees may be removed upon approval from the Forestry Department. Please contact Service Barrie at 705-739-4242.