What you need to know
If you are building a new driveway, widening an existing one, or installing a culvert under a driveway crossing, you will need a permit. In Wrenford, driveway work usually requires two types of approval: a development permit from the Planning and Development department and a street excavation permit from Roads & Winter Maintenance. You must also follow the rules in Zoning By-law 2016-040.
Do you need a permit?
You need a development permit if you are:
- Building a new driveway on a lot that does not have lane access.
- Widening or relocating an existing driveway.
- Installing a new culvert under a driveway crossing.
You usually do not need a development permit if you are simply replacing the surface of an existing driveway in the same spot. However, you still need a street excavation permit to dig in the public road right-of-way. If you are unsure, contact the Planning Services Centre.
How to prepare your application
A smooth application starts with a clear site drawing. You can use a Real Property Report or a site plan that shows your property lines, the proposed driveway location, and the exact width and length. If your project requires a professional engineer to stamp the drawings, make sure they are registered with Professional Engineers Ontario.
We recommend requesting a pre-application meeting before you submit your paperwork. It is a free, no-obligation review where a planner checks your drawing against the zoning rules and traffic safety guidelines. To book a meeting, email [email protected] or call 519-555-0100.
How to apply and pay
You can submit your development permit application through the ePermit portal or drop off a printed copy at the Planning Services Centre, Room 202, Wrenford City Hall. Street excavation permits are processed by Roads & Winter Maintenance at the Civic Operations Centre. Pay your fees online with a credit card, or bring a cheque, debit card, or cash to City Hall. Fees are set out in Fees and Charges By-law 2025-151.
Development permit fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driveway development permit | $365.00 |
| Public notice advertising | $30.00 |
| Development completion inspection | $155.00 |
| Total estimated cost | $550.00 |
Street excavation and culvert fees
Once your development permit is approved, you must apply for a street excavation permit to install the culvert or cross the curb. The city requires a certified letter of insurance naming the City of Wrenford as an additional insured. The excavation permit fee is $220.00. If you hire a contractor, they must apply for the permit in their name.
Processing times
Planning applications take approximately eight to ten weeks from the date your file is marked complete. This includes a thirty-day public notice period for neighbours and a thirty-day appeal window to the Ontario Land Tribunal after the decision. Street excavation permits are usually issued within five business days once the planning approval is in hand and your insurance is on file.
Design rules and safety
Your driveway must meet the size limits in Zoning By-law 2016-040. Driveways connecting to a street must be at least 6.0 metres long and no wider than the rules allow for your parcel width. If your lot is 9.0 metres or less across, the driveway can be 6.0 metres wide. If your lot is wider than 9.0 metres but 15.0 metres or less, the driveway can be 7.0 metres wide. Lots over 15.0 metres wide have no set width limit, provided you get an encroachment agreement for any portion that extends past your garage.
We also check for safety sight-lines. We will not approve a new or widened driveway if it is within 5.0 metres of an existing crosswalk, or within 0.5 metres of a transit bus stop. Culverts must be large enough to handle the natural water flow from Corvid Creek or Hollis Creek, and you must not block the Tamsin Valley Conservation Authority's floodplain rules.
Inspections and expiry
Once construction starts, you must book inspections through the Wrenford Permit Portal. You need a site plan inspection before you pour concrete or lay asphalt, and a final completion inspection. Building permits expire eighteen months after issuance. Development permits expire twelve months after the condition date. You can extend your permit by paying a ten per cent fee before the expiry date.
Who to contact
For planning questions, email [email protected] or visit Room 202, Wrenford City Hall. For excavation, insurance, and road crossing questions, email [email protected] or call 519-555-0112. For all other city services, dial 311 or call 519-555-0100.