COVID-19: Impact to City Facilities and Services

Recreational Amenities

The following recreational amenities and facilities are now open:

• tennis courts, including the ones at Shakespeare Park, SERC and Milton Street, 
• the City’s off-leash dog park near the corner of Packham Road and Dunn Road,
• most City sports fields, please remember to follow provincial guidelines (individual activities with physical distance of at least two metres from any other person - i.e., not team or contact sports),
• the municipal golf course
• All-wheels skate park
• Lawn bowling facility
• Anne Hathaway Splash Pad
• Outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment

Please follow the guidance of public health professionals when using these amenities, and maintain proper physical distancing.

Other City of Stratford facilities and amenities will be reopened at the appropriate time within the province's framework, and when resources are available.

The parks system continues to be maintained and green spaces in parks, trails and river areas remain open for walk-through access, but individuals must maintain a safe distance of at least two metres apart from others while in these areas.

Public Washrooms

On June 6, the City of Stratford began a staged approach to the re-opening of its public washrooms. The first stage of the re-opening included the washrooms at:

• The tourist booth/boathouse
• Upper Queen’s Park
• The William Allman Memorial Arena (outdoor)
• North shore of the Avon River

Those facilities will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Please follow the guidance of health professionals when using public washrooms including:

• maintaining safe social distancing (stay 2m/6ft away from others),
• staying home if you are sick, and
• washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, to help guard against the spread of COVID-19.

Transit

Stratford Transit has now returned to normal operations, with front-door entry, and the collection of fares.

A plexiglass bio-barrier has been installed on each of the buses to protect both Transit drivers and passengers, and to allow safe front-door entry.

In keeping with direction from Huron Perth Public Health, passengers who can wear a face mask or face covering are asked to do so while riding the bus.

We encourage passengers to maintain safe social distancing where possible, and to support that, we ask that riders exit only through the rear doors of the bus. Those with mobility issues can still exit through the front door if they require deployment of the ramp.

The City waived penalty and interest related to the April 9 property tax installment due-date and stopped all progressive collection activities until August 30, 2020. 

Statements can be requested by emailing the Tax Division.

Pre-authorized payment for property taxes can be submitted to: www.stratford.ca/preauthorized.

Pet, business and lottery licencing will continue. Applications can be submitted via email Clerk's Office or completed over the telephone 519-271-0250 Ext. 5237.

Payments by credit card can also be made over the phone or a cheque can be mailed to the Clerk's Office, City Hall, P.O. Box 818, 1 Wellington Street, Stratford, ON N5A 6W1 or placed in the drop box at the back of City Hall.

The following services are being provided by appointment only:

• commissioning
• marriage licence
• civil ceremonies

For more information on how to book an appointment please visit the following pages or contact the Clerk's Office at 519-271-0250 Ext 5237:

• Marriage and Civil Ceremonies
• Commissioner of Oaths

Free parking in the downtown core ended August 30, 2020.

What does this mean?

It means payment is now required at meters or machines, and maximum parking time limits remain in effect.

What is a parking time limit?

This means if you are parking in an area with a 4-hour limit you MUST move your vehicle before the 4 hour time limit has expired. Failure to do so could result in a parking ticket being issued. All maximum parking time limits are being enforced.

All other provisions of the By-law, including no-parking and no-stopping, will remain in effect as well and will be enforced from Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For more information on parking in the downtown core, please visit the City’s website or contact the Clerk’s Office.

Parking Ticket Payment:

Payments for parking tickets and permits can be made by credit card over the telephone at 519-271-0250 Ext. 237. Cheques can also be mailed to the Clerk's Office, City Hall, P.O. Box 818, 1 Wellington Street, Stratford, ON N5A 6W1 or placed in the drop box at the back of City Hall.

Requests for Review:

Requests for a parking ticket review can be completed over the telephone or through the City’s website at: https://forms.stratford.ca/IT-Services/Clerks-Corporate-Services/Request-for-Review

• Acceptance of planning applications.
• Acceptance of applications to the Committee of Adjustment
• Letters of Conformity

Planning Applications and Public Council Meetings

For applications requiring a public council meeting, the City will hold these meetings electronically in accordance with the City's Procedure By-law and applicable legislation. The protocols for electronic public meetings are available in the attached document: Stratford City Council Public Meeting COVID-19 Electronic Meetings Protocol.

Committee of Adjustment

Applications to be considered by the City's Committee of Adjustment Committee will held electronically in accordance with the Committee's Procedure By-law and applicable legislation. The protocols for electronic Committee of Adjustment meetings are available in the attached document: Committee of Adjustment Meeting COVID-19 Electronic Meetings Protocol. 

Digital applications should be submitted to Planning Services.

Development Services (Building & Municipal Law Enforcement)

Permit Applications

Permit applications are still being processed and Building Permits are being issued in accordance with the time frames listed in the Ontario Building Code. For information on applying for a Building Permit please click the following link: https://www.stratford.ca/en/inside-city-hall/building.aspx#Applying-for-a-Building-Permit 

Electronic applications can be submitted on the City of Stratford Building Permit Application, while hardcopy submissions will continue to be accepted at the City Hall Annex, located at 82 Erie Street, Stratford Ontario, N5A 2M4. Only 1 method of submission is required for each permit.

We are Open for Business. To contact Building Services staff please call 519-271-0250 x345 or email us at Building Services. 

We will be looking to resume full Inspection services in the near future and will continue to complete inspections when safe to do so. The health and safety of our residents, customers, and staff is our key priority. We also acknowledge that the construction industry is an essential part of supporting our local and provincial economy and reducing homelessness.

Additional Information

For unsafe buildings requiring immediate attention or for unsafe pool fences, call 519-271-0250 Ext. 345

Roads and Streets

• Sanding
• Pavement patching
• Sidewalk Maintenance
• Stormwater Management
• Traffic Control
• Winter Control

Curbside Garbage and Recycling Collection

There is no change to curbside garbage and recycling collection. Bag tags are still required to be purchased and placed on your bags. 

Bag Tag Delivery

As retailers have reopened to the public, the City of Stratford will no longer deliver bag tags. Tags can be purchased in person at City Hall, or at any of the locations listed below.

Where to Purchase Bag Tags

Bag Tags can also be purchased at the following locations:

• City Hall, 1 Wellington Street
• Blowes Stationery, 25 Wellington Street
• East End Variety, 231 Douro Street
• Festival Variety, 555 Downie Street
• Esso, 501 Ontario Street
• Mornington Variety, 231 Mornington Street
• Sobey's, 581 Huron Street
• 7-Eleven, 327 Erie Street
• Zehrs, 865 Ontario Street
• Canadian Tire Gas Bar, 1101 Ontario Street
• Hallmark/Blowes in Festival Marketplace mall
• Shell Station, 405 Huron Street
• Giant Tiger, 477 Huron Street
• Joe's Variety, 760 Ontario Street
• Stratford Variety, 542 Downie Street
• Stratford Mini Mart/GoCo, 666 Ontario Street
• Ultramar, 269 Erie Street

Green Bin

Green Bin collection began the week of April 6, 2020. This is a weekly collection. Clearly marked compostable plastic bags, paper bags or newspaper can be used as liners. 

Landfill

Landfill operations are open to the public effective April 14, 2020. The Landfill will be open weekdays for garbage drop-off during regular hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.

Payment for garbage dropoff will be contactless, by credit or debit only. Cash will not be accepted.

Leaf and Yard Waste, Recyclables, E-Waste and textiles are being accepted.

The City waived penalties, interest, late payment charges and other fees related to water and sewer billing and suspended all progressive collection activities until August 30, 2020. In addition, water meter disconnections were suspended until August 30, 2020. The transfer of overdue water accounts to the property tax account were also suspended to assist landlords.

Emergency repairs and ongoing required operations continue. This includes operations around water quality, spills, floods, and storm response, along with emergency water shutoff/repair and sewer lateral services.

To report:

• a water emergency during business hours, please call 519-271-0250 Ext. 5222. For after-hours please call 519-271-4700.
• a wastewater emergency during business hours please call 519-271-0250 Ext. 5222. For after-hours please call 519-271-0250 Ext. 5259.

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1. Fire services will be responding to all emergency calls.

If your call is not an emergency, please call 519-271-3212 or email Fire Dispatch.

Burn permits are being issued by appointment only at this time.

The airport is open.

Questions about the airport can be directed to the Operations Manager, Andy Woodham, at (519) 272-0933.

Homelessness Prevention

Emergency Housing will continue to be provided to clients if they are eligible for services.

The limit of emergency nights in motel stays will be waived for homeless persons who require emergency accommodation for self-isolation.

Housing Services

All maintenance work orders will be prioritized to focus on essential services (e.g. plumbing, electrical, unit repairs required to meet Ontario Building Code, Fire Code, security, etc.).

Should a rent geared to income tenant experience a loss of income during this period, they should contact our office at 519-271-3773 Ext. 6200.

No cash or debit options are available at this time. Rent will only be acceptable by pre-authorized payments (excluding Britannia), cheque or money order. Cheques and money orders can be submitted in the drop boxes at 82 Erie St., Stratford or 330 Wallace St., Listowel or sent by mail.

All appointments will be completed over the telephone, 519-271-3773 Ext. 6200, with signatures on the form required at a later date. A risk-based approach will be utilized for completing these intakes, as documents can be provided after the grant date unless there is clear evidence that the client may be ineligible due to excess earnings or assets.

Clients may submit documents via the drop boxes at the following locations:

• City Hall Annex - 82 Erie St., Stratford
• North Perth Municipal Office – 330 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel

Questions about Services

For questions about services being provided, please contact the City departments:

• City Hall (general line) 519-271-0250
• Development Services (Building, By-law Enforcement and Planning) 519-271-0250 Ext. 5345
• CAO’s Office 519-271-0250 Ext. 5267
• Clerk’s Office/Parking 519-271-0250 Ext. 5237
• Engineering/Public Works 519-271-0250 Ext. 5222
• Fire Department 519-271-3212
• Human Resources 519-271-0250 Ext. 5278 or 5336
• Mayor’s Office 519-271-0250 Ext. 5236
• Parks/Recreation 519-271-0250 Ext. 5245
• Cemetery 519-271-0250 Ext. 5244
• Police Department 519-271-4141
• Social Services 519-271-3773 Ext. 6200
• Tax and Finance Division 519-271-0250 Ext. 5211
• Transit 519-271-0250 Ext. 5264

Questions can also be submitted by email to the Clerk's office.

• City Hall  
• Stratford Fire Hall Offices
• Stratford Tourism Alliance (Visit Stratford)
• Public Washrooms
  • Exterior and lower level washrooms at City Hall
  • The tourist booth/boathouse
  • Upper Queen’s Park
  • The William Allman Memorial Arena (outdoor)
  • North shore of the Avon River
  • Stratford Transit terminal
• Stratford Landfill (open weekdays for garbage drop-off during regular hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Payment for garbage dropoff will be contactless, by credit or debit only. Cash will not be accepted)
• Recycling depot, e-waste and textile dropoff bins at the Romeo Street landfill site are open during regular hours Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon.
• Tennis courts, including the ones at Shakespeare Park, SERC and Milton Street
• The City’s off-leash dog park near the corner of Packham Road and Dunn Road
• Stratford Rotary Complex
• Most City sports fields
• All-wheels skate park
• Lawn bowling facility
• Anne Hathaway Splash Pad
• Lion's Pool
• Outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment
• Burnside Agriplex
• Allman Arena
• Transit Shelters
• Stratford Public Library (by appointment) - visit the Stratford Public Library website for details
• Stratford Municipal Airport Office
• Cemetery Office

• City Hall Annex
• Festival Hydro
• Invest Stratford
• Stratford Perth Centre for Business
• Dufferin Arena

• Open houses, and public consultations (including Municipal Accommodation Tax);
• Stratfords of the World Reunion, Ontario (postponed to 2021).