COVID-19 Information

Essential and critical town services 

In response to the need for the town to take action to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• All town facilities, including recreation centre parking lots, have been closed to the public
• Parkland has reopened, but residents are reminded that the Provincial Emergency Order remains in effect, which restricts the use of park amenities as well as groups of more than five people. Prohibited park use extends to all organized sporting activities and training, such as football, softball, ball hockey, soccer, ultimate Frisbee and basketball, as these activities do not allow for proper physical distancing
• Town amenities and spaces that remain closed at this time include:
  • playgrounds and play structures (e.g. swings, slides, climbers)
  • outdoor exercise equipment
  • splash pads
  • sports fields for organized group sports
  • public washrooms
  • town recreation centres and their parking lots – including swimming pools and skating rinks
• Staff is working remotely from home where feasible
• Staff safety is high priority. Covid-19 protocols for essential workers include cleaning and sanitizing vehicles, daily screening of all staff and limiting the number of staff per vehicle where feasible.
• Non-essential services have been reduced so that the town can focus on the delivery of essential and critical services to support our community

Please contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or email service@oakville.ca if you have questions or would like to request one of the services listed below.

Call 9-1-1 for emergency services.

The following is the list of essential and critical services currently being provided by the town.

Building Services

• Accepting electronic permits and applications
• Building permit issuance with a disclaimer that non-essential construction will be permitted until the Provincial Emergency Order is lifted
• Inspections of unoccupied buildings for new building construction
• Investigations/inspections of unsafe buildings
• Review of existing permits

Municipal Enforcement Services

• Parking enforcement focused on public safety and accessible parking offences
• Free parking throughout the town
• Emergency property standards investigations
• Municipal right of way safety concerns
• Accepting electronic permits and applications for: business licences, short-term accommodation licences, sign permits, tow truck licences, noise exemption permits

Clerks 

• Marriage Licences by appointment only
• Burial permits will continue to be issued as required

 ServiceOakville

• Regular telephone and email services; counter services closed

Communications

• Regular web and social media updates
• Sign up for the town’s e-newsletter
• Follow the town on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Economic Development

• Ongoing support to business community

Development Engineering

• Accepting electronic permits and applications
• Work on active town construction projects will continue as scheduled
• Final inspections for engineering permits (such as site alteration, pool works, road cuts, etc.)

Engineering and Construction

• Accepting electronic permits and applications
• Work on active town construction projects will continue as scheduled

Facilities Management

• Work is continuing on all town construction projects
• Regular maintenance and safety inspections on town facilities

Oakville Fire Services

• Continued emergency response through 9-1-1
• Fire Prevention inspections for life safety, on-call investigations
• Plans examiner on call
• Accepting electronic fire route applications

Oakville Public Library

• All branches closed. General inquiries only at 905-815-2044.

Town-owned Cemeteries

• All town-owned cemeteries have reopened, people must practice physical distancing and follow Provincial orders
• Funerals limited to no more than 10 people; gravesite visitation limited to no more than five people
• Burials, funerals, plot sales (by appointment only)

Parks and Open Space

• Parkland has reopened, but residents are reminded that the Provincial Emergency Order remains in effect, which restricts the use of park amenities, as well as groups of more than five people
• Parks sanitation pickup
• Public washrooms are closed.
• Trails remain open. Practice physical distancing when on trails.

Forestry

• Inspections of all service requests; pruning/removals of dead and high risk trees only
• Private tree removal permits for dead, ash and high risk trees only
• Trees to be protected or removed as a part of demolition permit or Development Engineering application
• Municipal tree protection permits for projects deemed to provide essential services (i.e. Water, wastewater, gas, hydro and Telecommunication projects)    
• Hydro Line Clearing program
• Street tree planting program
• Hazard bee and wasp nest removal. Other tree infestations or disease will not be inspected at this time. 
• Park and woodland tree plantings and tree stumping are on hold

Roads and Works Operations

• Winter response
• Storm water sewer maintenance
• Maintaining roads and sidewalks for public safety
• Spring loose leaf collection is cancelled

Planning

• Accepting electronic permits and applications, including pre-consultations
• Existing applications

Recreation and Culture Services

• All facilities closed. General inquiries only. 

Transit

• Oakville Transit administration office is closed to the public.
• Oakville Transit is operating at a modified service level. Please board and exit the bus from the rear door.

Corporate Support Services

• Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Legal providing necessary support to enable the delivery of essential and critical services

All town facilities are closed to the public.

All town facilities are closed to the public until further notice. This includes:

• Town Hall
• Glen Abbey Community Centre
• Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre
• Iroquois Ridge Community Centre
• River Oaks Community Centre
• Sixteen Mile Sports Complex
• Trafalgar Park Community Centre
• Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors
• Joshua's Creek Arenas
• Kinoak Arena
• Maple Grove Arena
• Centennial Pool
• White Oaks Pool
• Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
• Oakville Museum
• Oakville Galleries
• Nottinghill Youth Centre
• All Oakville Public Library branches
• Central Operations
• North Operations Depot
• Oakville Greenhouse
• Harbours Office
• Oakville Fire Training Campus
• Oakville Transit Operations
• Fire stations (closed to the public, but fire services resume as usual)
• Lakeshore Road Reconstruction Project Office

Planning, building, engineering, and development applications and permits can be submitted online. This includes plans of subdivision, rezoning and site plans, among others. In addition, most residential building permits can also be submitted electronically.

Visit the Electronic Permits and Applications page for details.

Larger Industrial Commercial and Institutional (ICI) application submissions will continue by appointment only. A new page on the town’s website will provide further information and instructions on how to navigate all the new online intake processes.

The Ontario government has ordered all businesses not covered by the updated Emergency Order to close effective Saturday, April 4 at 11:59 p.m.

Building Services will restrict inspections to unoccupied buildings for new building construction listed by the Ontario government as essential only, until further notice. The updated essential building construction list can be found on the Ontario Governement website.

Be advised, you cannot assume that reports prepared by engineers or architects can substitute for the mandatory inspections required by Ontario Building Code. Once inspection services are resumed, inspectors may require completed work to be uncovered to determine Building Code compliance.

We are not conducting inspections on occupied or previously occupied buildings or home renovations.

• Inspectors will be practicing two metres’ physical distancing from all individuals on site.
• Inspectors will ask for the building or area to be cleared to complete the inspection.
• If physical distancing and hygiene measures are not followed, the inspection will be stopped.
• Inspection requests will be accepted by regular methods, listed on the building permit.

Effective March 30, Development Engineering resumed final inspections for engineering permits (such as site alteration, pool works, road cuts, etc.) where it is safe for both the applicant and the inspector.

• Phone or email your requests as you normally would. Development Engineering staff will contact you to arrange a date for an inspection.
• Please note, you will be asked the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 health screening questions prior to the inspection.

The safety of our staff, on-site workers and citizens is of utmost importance. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide you these services. We will update information as the situation changes.

By-law to enforce physical distancing during COVID-19 Emergency

The town has a new by-law enforcing physical distancing in the Town of Oakville on public property during the State of Emergency.  

Any two people who don’t live together, who fail to keep two metres of distance between them can be fined a minimum of $300 and maximum of up to $100,000 for each offence.

The town’s by-law enforcement officers will be responding to complaints. To report violation, please call the Halton Police COVID-19 Hotline at 905-825-4722 or 905-845-6601 and a by-law enforcement officer will be dispatched to follow up.

Review By-law 2020-054 (pdf)

Enforcement of Provincial orders

For the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help keep our community safe, our by-law enforcement officers will collaborate with Halton Police to educate and enforce issues of non-compliance with the province's emergency orders.

Violations include:

• individuals using outdoor recreational amenities that remain closed under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act
• events and gatherings of more than five people
• establishments remaining open that are prohibited from being in operation under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act 

Individuals and business can now be fined $750 or more.

To report violation, please call the hotline at 905-825-4722 and a by-law enforcement officer or police officer will be dispatched to follow up. Do NOT call 911 for these violations.

For more information please visit the Halton Regional Police website.

Stay home and stay safe!
 

Some outdoor spaces in Oakville parks are open, but residents are reminded that the Provincial Emergency Order remains in effect, which restricts the use of park amenities, as well as groups of more than five people.

We remind all residents – young and old – that they have a role to play to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Closed facilities and amenities include:

• playgrounds and play structures (e.g. swings, slides, climbers)
• sports fields for organized group sports
• outdoor exercise equipment
• splash pads
• public washrooms
• skateboard parks
• beaches
• recreation centre ground and parking lots

Prohibited park use extends to all organized sporting activities and training, such as football, softball, ball hockey, soccer, ultimate Frisbee and basketball, as these activities do not allow for proper physical distancing

Greenspace, walkways and trails are open to the public, but users must continue to practice physical distancing.

If you are concerned about groups you see gathering in parks, contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline at 905-825-4722 to request enforcement.

COVID-19 property tax information

Council voted to accept late property tax payments, for both residential and commercial taxes, with no interest or late fees for up to two months, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are no qualifications to defer your second interim property tax payment, all property owners qualify.

The tax installment due on April 24, 2020, and all outstanding property taxes, will be accepted anytime up to June 30, 2020, without penalty for anyone who is unable to pay by the due date.

Property owners who are on the town’s pre-authorized payment plans (PAP) can opt-out of the plans without consequence, as long as they do so by emailing PAP@oakville.ca prior to the 15th of the payment month.

Please note once a property owner opts-out of the town’s PAP program, it is the property owner’s responsibility to reapply to the program if desired. Reapplication will also have to be made before the 15th of the payment month.

All NSF charges will be waived until June 30.

Property tax payment options during COVID-19

Internet Banking

To make an online payment, you will need your property tax account number (not roll number), which can be found at the top right of your tax bill, or you may call ServiceOakville 905-845-6601 to retrieve your property tax account number.

Sign into your financial institution’s secure website, go to the “Pay Bill” icon or tab and add the Town of Oakville as a payee. Depending on your financial institution, please search for “Oakville” and the payee name will be either: Oakville, Oakville Taxes or Oakville Property Tax.

Enter your property tax account number and amount to be paid.

If you require assistance, please contact your bank or financial institution.

Please note the town does not accept email payment transfers (INTERAC).

Cheque Payment

Mail cheques payable to Town of Oakville to:

Town of Oakville, Tax Department
1225 Trafalgar Road
Oakville, ON
L6H 0H3

Alternatively, chequest can be dropped off at the drop box outside the main entrance to Town Hall. 

Post-dated cheques corresponding with due dates only

Cheques can be delivered in the after-hours drop box at Town Hall. Please use the corresponding payment due date only.

Credit Card (online only)

To pay taxes using your existing MasterCard, Visa or American Express, visit the Plastiq website. There is a fee to use this service for tax payments. The fee is independent of the Town of Oakville. Please check the Plastiq website for details. Please expect three to six business days for payment processing when using the Plastiq website.

Pre-authorized tax payment plans

Completing the Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plan Application Form (PAP) (pdf) allows for the payment of taxes in four, nine or 12 monthly installments. In order to enrol, your property must be fully assessed for one year to include both the land and structure values. Please see the application form for all the program details.

Please contact pap@oakville.ca for assistance in joining the program.

Please note a 2020 reapplication PAP form will be posted shortly for those who have exited our program due to COVID-19 and would like to rejoin for July 1, 2020

For information on by-laws, including COVID-19 related by-laws, please visit the By-law page.

Mayor Burton enacted the following COVID-19 related by-laws to support the provincial orders and help keep Oakville residents safe:

• By-law 2020-058 to regulate discarding of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• By-law 2020-059, a by-law to amend the Litter By-law 2011-045 and Parks By-law, 2013-013.
• By-law 2020-055, the Emergency Physical Distancing By-law, a by-law to enforce physical distancing in the Town of Oakville during the State of Emergency

Cemeteries are open. Safety protocols will be in place to ensure physical distancing is maintained. Please do not gather in groups of more than five. Funerals are restricted to no more than 10 people. 

If a death has occurred, the town will continue to provide essential plot sale, burial and funeral services (by appointment only) to ensure those in need are served during this challenging time. 

Please call 905-845-6601 to make an appointment or for more information.

All events and festivals are now cancelled or postponed up until July 3, 2020 including our Canada Day event in Bronte.

We are not accepting new bookings or transferring any large gatherings or event bookings at this time. For more information, please email events@oakville.ca.

Permit holders will receive a full refund for any payments made to date. Customers are asked to please be patient as refunds may take up to one week to display on your credit card statement, depending on your financial institution or credit card provider. Cheques may be issued for some refunds pending original payment type. Inquiries about the status of your refund can be sent to bookafacility@oakville.ca.
 

Online recreation resources

Why not get active and creative while staying safe at home? We’re excited to share regular updates including tips, information and fun ideas to help you stay active and creative.

Visit our Online Recreation Resources page for more information.

Community services directory

Use the Halton Information Providers' community services directory to search for links to COVID-19 resources and information.

Oakville Transit is operating at a modified service level until further notice. For specific schedule details, visit the Oakville Transit website.

Oakville Transit has implemented a number of new procedures in order to promote safe physical distancing while on-board. Visit the Oakville Transit website for details.

 The Town of Oakville is currently recruiting for critical positions only. If you are contacted, we will arrange a virtual interview where possible. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 
 
Positions not deemed critical at this time will be on hold until a future date. We encourage applicants to continue to submit their resume and cover letter online for posted positions.  

Economic Development remains operational to continue to provide information and support to the business community during these challenging times.

Oakville Economic Task Force

Mayor Rob Burton, along with the Oakville Economic Development office, Oakville Chamber of Commerce and Oakville Business Improvement Associations have formed an Economic Task Force in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

On March 26, 2020, Council approved an Economic Action Plan for Oakville to address immediate financial issues facing the business community, as well as the need to move development projects forward to support long term economic recovery.

Distantly.ca: Support a small business from a distance

Distantly.ca, an online donation platform for small business, is now available in Oakville. The application is easy to use and secure, and allows the community to make a direct donation to your business to help lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Marinas and boat storage yards reopened on May 16, 2020, for boat owners to tend to their boats and prepare for the coming season.

Boat storage area is open to boat owners from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Harbours office and washrooms are closed at this time.

Users are reminded to follow public health directions: stay home if feeling ill, practice two-metre distance, wash hands, don’t share tools.

The Bronte public boat launch ramp is open as of Saturday, May 16.

The Shipyard Park public boat launch ramp at the Oakville harbour is being prepared to reopen the first week of June as we work to put stored boats and docks back in the water. Please adhere to all posted signage.

The balance owing for summer contracts is deferred until May 31, 2020.

Please note that docks are not safe to access until the Harbours Office officially notifies customers that the docks are open.

Set up of harbours infrastructure and dock installation must be completed before our harbours can safely open for the season. It is our intention to have the harbours open for the first week of June. No vessels are permitted on the docks until June 1.

As per the emergency order from the Province of Ontario, parking lots at all town facilities including but not limited to community centres, parks and arenas are closed.

On-street Parking and Municipal Parking Lots

Payment is not required for on-street parking or in municipal parking lots until further notice and parking time limits have been relaxed to help those working from home or self-isolating.

Parking enforcement is currently limited to safety and access related issues such as fire routes, accessible parking, no parking/stopping areas, blocked areas and unauthorized vehicles.

The Church Street Parkade is open to permit holders only.

Residents who would like to dispute a ticket, can schedule their appeal online.

Get the latest updates from Mayor Rob Burton on how Town of Oakville is responding the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• Sign up for the Mayor’s electronic newsletter
• Follow the Mayor on Facebook
• Follow the Mayor on Twitter
• Read the latest Mayor’s Office news releases
   

Given the need to reduce public gatherings, and in accordance with the town’s Procedure By-law, the following meetings have been cancelled:

• Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee (April 14, May 19 and June 16);
• Planning and Development Council, (May 4 and June 8);
• Accessibility Advisory Committee (June 11);
• Budget Committee, (June 22); and
• Committee of Adjustment Committee (April 14, 28, May 19, June 2, 16, 30).

Any Appeal or Property Standards Committee meeting will not be scheduled until further notice, unless it affects the safety of the residents of the municipality.

For an updated list of meetings, please visit the Calendar page.

Watch meetings live or access them later from our YouTube channel

All recreation and culture drop-in programs, services, events and rentals are cancelled until further notice.

Registered Spring programs are cancelled.

Refunds for cancelled program dates will be automatically issued to all Recreation and Culture programs participants without penalty.

All clients with Recreation and Culture memberships (fitness, seniors services, culture, swim/skate/sport) will receive an extension to their membership for the duration of the closure. 

We have proactively suspended all pre-authorized membership payments. Once our facilities reopen, we will adjust the expiry date of your membership for any missed days due to the closure or credit your account if your membership expired during that time. Rest assured, you will not be charged for any days that our fitness centres are closed. 

All Community Use of School rentals are also cancelled.

Facility rental permits will be amended to reflect the dates affected by the facility closures and credits placed on accounts.

Please contact Facility Booking at 905-815-2000 with any questions about withdrawals, cancellations or refunds.

All performances between March 13 and July 3 have been cancelled or rescheduled and the OCPA is closed until July 3. Please see our What’s On page for details. Patrons will be given a full refund for their ticket purchase for all events in that time frame. 

Refunds may take 10 to 15 business days to complete and staff will be in touch, if necessary, to complete the refund. If you wish to connect with a Box Office representative, please email boxoffice@oakville.ca and staff will reply as soon as possible between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Rental clients with events scheduled between March 13 and July 3 will also be refunded without penalty.

The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts is working with agents, artists and rental clients to find new dates if postponements are an option.