City of Toronto to begin reopening of City Hall and civic centres on August 9

Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto will begin the safe and gradual re-opening of City buildings to visitors with the phased reopening of select in-person counter services at City Hall and civic centres on Monday, August 9 in alignment with the provincial reopening plan and in accordance with public health guidelines.

City Hall and civic centres, along with most counter services, were closed to the public on March 14, 2020, and City staff who were able to work remotely (approximately 20 to 25 per cent of workforce) quickly transitioned to a work-from-home model, while approximately 75 to 80 per cent of staff continued to deliver essential and critical services on location.

Throughout the pandemic, the City has modernized and improved customer experience, making many of its counter services available online. The City will continue to deliver its digital services which have proven convenient to many Torontonians but will also re-open its doors to residents and visitors for in-person services, ensuring choice, accessibility and equity for residents.

On August 9, City Hall, North York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, York Civic Centre and East York Civic Centre will be open for a limited number of in-person counter services only. The Metro Hall Early Learning & Child Care Centre and Employment and Social Services offices will continue operation at Metro Hall.

Some counter services returning include payments for tax and utilities, construction permits and tree permit applications. In-person services, such as marriage licences, and zoning inquiries for the Toronto and East York district, will require booking an appointment while others will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details about counter services can be found here

The health and safety of residents, businesses and City staff remain key priorities in all re-opening plans. Restrictions and capacity limits, in accordance with Provincial and public health guidelines will be in place including mandatory masks, physical distancing, protective barriers and increased sanitization and cleaning protocols.

The latest information about City services is available on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage

City counter reopening plan

The hours of operation for City buildings are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Note that some in-person services may have their own hours of operation. A full list of City services and operating hours can be found on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/affected-city-services/.

City Hall

City Clerks

City Clerks counters are moving to City Hall on August 16, by booking an appointment online.
Hours of Operation: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

• Marriage licences
• Commissioning of documents
• Assessment roll and Toronto property system – microfilm and hard copy rolls to see who or what was at an address, and learn more about the resident or property

Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Client services

Revenue Services – Opening August 16
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Property tax payments and inquiries
• Utility bill payments and inquiries
• Parking violation payments
  Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Toronto Building – By appointment only via a new online appointment request process that will be available August 5. Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m

• Zoning Inquiries for properties located in the Toronto and East York District only

Transportation Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

• Re-issuing of permits – change of plate, change of address, lost or stolen Permit stickers

North York Civic Centre

City Clerks

City Clerks counters will be open at North York Civic Centre until August 13, then will be moving to City Hall on August 16. Hours of Operation up to August 13: 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

• Marriage licences
• Commissioning of documents
• Assessment roll and Toronto property system – micro film and hard copy rolls to see who or what was at an address, and learn more about the resident or property

Parks, Forestry & Recreation

• Client services – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Forestry – tree permit applications, permit fees and inquiries – 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Revenue Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Property tax payments and inquiries
• Utility bill payments and inquiries
• Parking violation payments

Transportation Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Construction – permit applications, pick up of construction permits, payment of fees, and inquiries

Scarborough Civic Centre

Economic Development & Culture – Opening in September, by appointment only via a new online booking system that will be available closer to the opening date. Hours of operation will be determined closer to opening date.

• Enterprise Toronto – information for small businesses

Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Client services – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Forestry – tree permit applications, permit fees and inquiries – 8:30: a.m. – 3 p.m.

Revenue Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m

• Property tax payments and inquiries
• Utility bill payments and inquiries
• Parking violation payments
• Transportation Services

Transportation Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Construction – permit applications, pick up of construction permits, payment of fees, and inquiries

Etobicoke Civic Centre

Parks, Forestry & Recreation

Client services – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Forestry – tree permits applications, permit fees and inquiries – 8:30: a.m. – 3 p.m.

Revenue Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Property tax payments and inquiries
• Utility bill payments and inquiries
• Parking violation payments

Transportation Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Construction – permit applications, pick up of construction permits, payment of fees, and inquiries

York Civic Centre

Revenue Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Property tax payments and inquiries
• Utility bill payments and inquiries
• Parking violation payments

Legal Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Provincial Offenses Act West – file motions, file applications, submit disclosure requests and pick up disclosure

East York Civic Centre

Municipal Licensing & Standards – Opening September 7, by appointment only via a new online booking system that will be available closer to opening date.
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Vehicles for hire – licensing and regulations for taxicabs, limousines and private transportation companies (PTCs)
• Right of Way (ROW) permits and issuance, and CaféTO
• Business licensing
• Gaming services – application for lottery licences or permits, event-specific report forms and eligibility documents for new licences and renewals

Revenue Services
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Property tax payments and inquiries
• Utility bill payments and inquiries
• Parking violation payments

Metro Hall

Employment and Social Services offices will remain open at Metro Hall and continue to provide ongoing services. The Metro Hall Early Learning & Child Care Centre will continue operation as well. For in-person counter services, Metro Hall will remain closed to the public at this time.

Health and Safety Measures

The health and safety of residents, businesses and City staff remain key priorities in all re-opening plans. In accordance with public health guidelines, the health and safety measures that will be in place include:

• Building capacity limit of 30 per cent at all times including visitors and staff
• Mandatory mask policy
• Physical distancing of 6 feet (2 metres)
• Protective plexi-glass barriers at all counters
• Sanitizer dispensers throughout the building
• Increased cleaning protocols throughout the building