Resources for Purchasing a Property in Stratford

A Zoning and Building Information Report offers information regarding the zoning, permitted uses, recent building permits, outstanding inspections and work orders for a property. This report is often a requirement at the time of a property transfer, sale or refinancing.

Requests can be submitted in person at the City Hall Annex (82 Erie Street, 3rd Floor), or by emailing the Planning Division. Requests are not processed until payment has been received. 

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (or “UTRCA”) is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario. They have jurisdiction over 3,430 square kilometres in southwestern Ontario, including the City of Stratford.

Contact the UTRCA for more information regarding permitted land uses on properties within Stratford, or view their online Regulated Area Screening Map.

Development Charges were updated to reflect changes and were finalized with the passing of By-law 41-2022 on April 6, 2022. Details of the charges are available on our website.

Occupancy permits are issued upon substantial completion of a new building project. A fee may be applicable if a replacement copy is required.

Contact the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) to find out if there are any open electrical notifications on the property. These are outstanding notifications to correct any defects. By law, the buyer assumes responsibility for doing this.

As part of your purchase agreement, have your lawyer contact ESA for a search of records by submitting a Search of Records or Access Information Form.

The Environmental Property Information (EPI) program is a fast and easy way to access information about the environmental conditions of properties in Ontario.

If you are planning to sell or develop property in Ontario, this new digital service will help you identify any potential barriers to development or resale due to problems with things like:

• soil
• natural water supply
• spills

By making these requests online, you will be able to access information faster and make better-informed decisions to support property transactions and land redevelopment.

We will provide Fire Department Searches as follows:

Fire Investigation Report

This is a search of the property file for any fire-related activity pertaining to the property. The fee for this report is $130.00.

If a physical inspection and letter is required, the fee is $150 per residential visit for the first unit plus, $25 for each additional unit per building.

The fee for a commercial/industrial visit is $150 for the first unit plus $25 for each additional unit per building, plus $25 for each 5,000 square feet over 10,000 square feet.

Fire Incident Report

A fire incident report is a summary of activity from an incident that was attended by the City of Stratford Fire Department. Signed owner authorization is required for these searches, and the fee is $100.00. This will include a search for any code violations.

Turnaround time for most fire reports is seven to ten business days.

Part IV – Individual Property Designation:

This type of designation applies to specific properties that have cultural heritage value or interest. It recognizes and protects individual buildings or structures because of their unique historical, architectural, or contextual significance.

There are a number of properties in the City of Stratford with Part IV Heritage Designation.  Further information is available on the Heritage page of the City’s website.

Part V – Heritage Conservation District Designation:

This designation applies to larger areas or neighbourhoods that have a distinct historic character. In the City of Stratford, the Downtown Core has been designated as a Heritage Conservation District.  

Further information, including a map of the Downtown Core, is available on the Heritage page of the City’s website.

Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) Register:

In addition to the information available on the City’s website for Heritage Designations, the OHA Register is a searchable online database that provides information about properties across Ontario that have been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Maintained by the Ontario Heritage Trust, the register includes official documents submitted by municipalities since the Act was introduced in 1975.

This centralized resource helps the public access heritage designation details for properties throughout the Province. Please note that the database is still being updated as historical documents are added.

If you need assistance, contact the Provincial Heritage Registrar by email or call 437-246-8606.

Public Health Services in Stratford are provided by Huron Perth Public Health.

Perth Office
653 West Gore St.
Stratford, ON N5A 1L4

Toll free by telephone: 1-888-221-2133

Email HPPH for further information.

Festival Hydro issues bills for water/wastewater on behalf of the City of Stratford. To inquire about arrears on any existing water or sewer account, please contact Festival Hydro:

Festival Hydro, 187 Erie Street, P.O. Box 397, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 6T5

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Office 519-271-4700

Toll-Free 1-866-444-9370

Although there are few remaining properties within the City which still contain a septic tank/system, septic records would be included as part of a Zoning and Building Information Report request.

A tax certificate may be requested by sending the request along with a cheque to cover the fee of $60.00 to our office at:

City of Stratford, 1 Wellington St, P.O. Box 818, Stratford, ON N5A 6W1

Requests may also be sent electronically to taxinfo@stratford.ca and the fee may be sent by etransfer to etransfersAR@Stratford.ca and include the property address and requestor’s email in the Comment Section. Note that payments without a clear reference as to what the payment is for will experience delays in processing.

Tax Certificates are processed on Tuesdays and Fridays.  A rush tax certificate is available for $75 and is processed 24-48 hours after payment is received.

For general and invoice inquiries, please contact TSSA's Customer Contact Centre by email.

TSSA’s Customer Contact Centre is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays).

Note: The Technical Standards and Safety Authority's (TSSA) head office is closed for in-person service.

Toll-Free 1-877-682-8772 

Further information can be viewed on the TSSA website.