Applications, Licences and Permits

In Ontario, your baby's birth must be registered within 30 days of the date of birth to ensure your child has a legal identity.

Registering your baby will allow you to apply for a birth certificate, passport and other identity-related documents. Check with the hospital where your baby was born regarding the completion and submission of the Statement of Live Birth form, which is required for birth certificate applications.

Births are registered through the Ontario Office of the Registrar General (ORG). Birth certificate applications may be picked up from the Office of the City Clerk in City Hall or completed online through the Office of the Registrar General. The links below will help you in one of your first tasks as a new parent.

• Register a newborn

• Birth certificate application

For more information about registering a newborn or ordering a birth certificate, please call the Office of the Registrar General at 1-800-461-2156.

If you are planning on constructing a new home or building, or renovating, you will need a building permit (which will include plumbing). For a plumbing-only upgrade, you will need a building permit for plumbing.

Visit our Apply for a Building Permit page and apply online. Check Before You Build for additional information.

Access Fire Burn permits for open air burning and recreational burning.

Licensed businesses are listed below. We are currently updating our forms! Please email us for an application form or contact Licensing & Enforcement at 807-577-MLEO (6536). Current fees can be found on our User Fees Page.

Licensed Businesses:

• Adult Entertainment Establishment (Owner and Operator)
• Eating Establishment and/or Food Shop Application - for restaurants, food shops, and caterers
  • Please include a copy of ID, Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation, as well as a lease or letter of permission to operate from owner of the building with your application.
• Hairstylist (Stationary and Mobile)
• Kennel
• Lodging House
• Master Plumber
• Peddler
• Pet Shop
• Plumbing Contractor
• Public Halls
• Refreshment Vehicle - for food trucks, carts, tents; for the ability to cook on-site
  • If you will not be using a vehicle, please include a description of the set up, as well as a copy of ID, and Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation. Contact Licensing & Enforcement at 807-577-MLEO (6536) or email us for more information.
• Second Hand Goods, Pawnbroker, Salvage Dealer and Auctioneer
• Trailer Park
• Vehicle for Hire - Businesses

Vehicle for Hire - Drivers - please contact your business/broker representative.

For home business regulations, please see our Zoning By-law.

You can visit the Office of the City Clerk, 1st Floor City Hall, to get an Oath of Affidavit/Statutory Declaration signed and stamped by a Commissioner of Oaths. The fee is $20 plus tax. You do not need an appointment. The office is located at Thunder Bay City Hall. Commissioners are available during office hours (8:30 am to 4:30 pm).

Notary Public Services - Please note that effective July 2, 2014, the City Solicitor's Office no longer provides Notary Services to the public. If you require Notary Services, please contact a lawyer and/or notary public for these services.

Please also note that the City cannot "notarize" copies of original documents. If the document specifies that it needs to be notarized, you have to contact a lawyer.

Book a commissioning appointment

Things to know

• Do not sign the document in advance. You must sign the document in the presence of the Commissioner.

• Read the document in advance. This is extremely important as you will be swearing that the statements in the document are true. When signing under oath, you are swearing as if you are testifying in a court of law that the document contains true statements.

• Bring with you everything that you will need, including any letter of instruction from the person or office requesting the sworn statement.

• If a sworn statement indicates that there are copies of documents to be attached (eg: exhibits), you must bring the original documents with you, as well as the copies to be attached. If you do not bring in the attachments, the Commissioner cannot administer the oath.

Photo ID

You MUST show valid photo identification. The Commissioner must be satisfied that you are the person who you claim to be and the person named on the document before administering the oath.

You must be 18 years of age or older to take an oath in regards to a document. If a person under 18 is required to take an oath, additional notation will be made on the document.

If a witness is required, you should bring someone who knows you. The witness must NOT be your spouse, your child or another relative. The witness may be required to swear an Affidavit of Witness before a Commissioner that states that he or she saw you sign the document and that you are who you claim to be.

If the document is in a language other than English, the City cannot provide Commissioner Services, unless you bring the translated version of the document with you.

Pension documents from other countries

There are a number of residents of Canada who were born in other countries and are entitled to receive pensions from their country of birth. These pensions require periodic verification that the pensioner is still living. A Commissioner can provide this service.

Passport applications

If you require a sworn statement on an application for a Canadian passport, a Commissioner can administer the oath and complete your statement.

Guarantor

A guarantor, including a lawyer, cannot sign your application unless he or she has known you for a period of at least two years. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (Passport Canada) will sometimes follow up by telephone with the guarantor to verify the facts in the guarantor's statement, such as eye colour, height, full name, etc.

In lieu of guarantor

The Office of the City Clerk can provide commissioner of oaths services for In Lieu of Guarantor statements for government issued forms, including passport applications.

Services the city does not provide

• The City cannot authenticate documents. On the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website, you can find information about authenticating documents. The City cannot provide notarial certificates, certified true copies, or documents specifically requesting a notary public.

• The Commissioner cannot provide you with any advice with respect to the documents that you are swearing. You need to read and fully understand the documents yourself.

• The Commissioner has the right to refuse to commission documents where there is a possibility that the Commissioner or Notary Public may be required to testify in a court of law.

• The City will not process documents relating to Power of Attorney, family law, estates or real estate matters. You need to take these documents to a lawyer for appropriate advice and assistance.

• The Commissioner reserves the right to refuse to commission documents for persons who are not capable of understanding them.

Fee for commissioner of oath services

$20.75 plus tax

Whether a death is anticipated or unexpected, you will have critical decisions to make during a difficult time. The registration of a death is important since a death certificate will be required when settling an estate.

Death registrations are now managed by the Funeral Homes in Thunder Bay. Here are some Service Ontario resources to support you as you make necessary arrangements:

• Ontario Death Certificate Information - FAQs

• Death Certificate Application

Learn more about municipal cemeteries.

If you are demolishing a building on your property that is more than 10M² (108 sq. ft.), you need a demolition permit. Find out what demolition permits you need.

When constructing a new driveway, modifying or resurfacing an existing driveway, a permit may be required.

Learn more about Driveway Permits

To apply online:

1. Create an account or sign in to the Property and Permits portal
2. Enter information about your project
3. Upload all necessary forms
4. Pay using a credit card

To apply in person:

Application forms can be picked up at the City of Thunder Bay Engineering office located in Victoriaville Civic Centre, 111 Syndicate Avenue S, 2nd Floor, or by calling 807-625-2267.Office hours are Monday to Friday 9am-4pm (closed for lunch 12:30-1:30pm).

If you wish to create more buildable area within your property by removing or reducing the area of the easement, you need to apply for an Easement Reduction. Reductions will only be granted with the approval of all utility providers. Please contact Realty Services for more information, or call (807)625-2991.

All forms are to be submitted to Event Services once completed. Applications should be submitted at least ten weeks prior to the event.

• Special Events Application 2025 (required for events over 500+ attendees per day on City land and may include a temporary street closure request, or over 3000+ attendees per day on private land)
• Parks/Facilities Permit Application (for events held in a City Park with 500 attendees or less, and with no Temporary Street Closure)
  • Submit completed applications to parkbookings@thunderbay.ca. Questions? Contact the Parks Booking Facility Coordinator or call (807) 625-2941.
• Burning permits, fireworks and pyrotechnic display permits
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit requirements for food handling at events
• Liquor licenses are available from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Event Organizations must also adhere to the City of Thunder Bay Municipal Alcohol Policy

Learn more about Event Hosting.

Everyone has the right to request access to City records. You can request access to City records by completing a Freedom of Information application.

Access to records is governed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

For more information, visit the City Archives' Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy page.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Reduced Load Period comes into effect each spring. The start date of the restrictions varies and depends on weather conditions.

In conjunction with these regulations, every spring during the thaw, municipal Reduced Load Restrictions/Half Loads are put into effect within the limits of the City of Thunder Bay to protect our roads from damage. The start date is announced on the City's social media channels, in local media, and through a news release - see the City's news page for an index of releases.

A permit is required if the dimensions or weight of your vehicle and load combined exceed the limits in the Highway Traffic Act. To apply for a permit, fill out the Heavy & Oversize Load Application and submit the completed application to engineering@thunderbay.ca.

Learn more about the City's reduced and oversized loads restrictions

City Council has approved an interest-free loan program that will allow property owners to borrow funds from the City to assist in the replacement of privately owned lead water service pipes.

This program provides financial assistance to homeowners to reduce lead levels in drinking water at the tap. Loans for up to $5,000 of eligible costs are available for five years. There is also a 10-year loan option for property owners that qualify under the Tax and Credit Program for Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Persons with Disabilities, or the Tax and Water Credit Program for Low-Income Persons, and a $1,500 grant will also be provided. Loan and Grant approvals will be subject to the availability of funding and priority given on a first come first serve basis.

• Lead Water Service Replacement Loan Program Application Form

If you need access over City lands or lanes, you will need to apply for a Licence of Access.

If you have a portion of a building, retaining wall or other structure that extends onto City property, you will need to complete a Licence of Occupation. Once completed you will need to bring this to the Realty Services Department to process.

Prior to building something on your property that will extend onto City property, you will need to complete a Licence of Occupation - new construction. Once completed you will need to bring this to the Realty Services Department to process.

If you are using, or need to use, City lands you need to complete a Licence of occupation and access. Once completed you will need to bring this to the Realty Services Department to process.

Liquor licences are available from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

For all liquor licences in the city, it is important that establishments are in compliance with the fire code. Our Fire Prevention Division is commonly requested to review applications. This will also involve a Fire Code inspection. If you have any questions about obtaining a liquor licence, please call the Fire Prevention Division and the Office of the City Clerk.

Learn more about Event Hosting.

Eligible charitable and religious organizations may raise funds through provincially or municipally licensed lottery events.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) is responsible for administering the lottery licensing program in the province of Ontario. Municipalities are partners with the AGCO in issuing lottery licences to eligible charitable and religious organizations.

Read more about Lottery Licensing.

Book a lottery licensing appointment

Congratulations on your engagement!

One of your next important steps is to follow provincial requirements, such as the process of applying for a marriage licence. A marriage licence is required in order to be legally married in Ontario.

Marriage licence application forms are available from the Office of the City Clerk, 1st Floor City Hall, or from Service Ontario.

Read more about getting a marriage licence and how to book a civil marriage ceremony with the City of Thunder Bay.

Book a marriage license appointment

View our Pop-up Patio page for details.

Find more information on requirements and apply for a zone change, site plan, minor variance, consent to sever and more on our Submit a Planning Application page.

If you are interested in buying a portion of a City street or lane, you can complete a Street and Lane Closing Application. You must call Realty Services at 807-625-2991 prior to completing the form.

Contact Licensing & Enforcement for sign permit inquiries at 807-577-MLEO (6536) or email us.

You may also need a building permit for a new sign. Check out the Apply for a Building Permit page for more information.

You need a pool fence for all swimming pools with a depth greater than 0.6M (23.6"), and you need a permit for new pool fences being installed. Get more information about Swimming Pool Fence Permits.

The following tax and water credit programs are available to eligible groups:

• High Water Bill Credit Program for Low-Income Seniors
• Tax Rebate for Registered Charities and Not-for-Profit Organizations
• Tax Adjustment for Property Changes
• Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Persons with Disabilities - Deadline to file: July 31, 2026.
• Low-Income Persons Deadline to file: July 31, 2026

The City also offers a drainage rebate, administered through EcoSuperior.

A permit is required to close roads or sidewalks for the purposes of construction or loading/unloading activities.

Please fill out the Application for Right of Way Occupancy Permit and submit the completed permit to engineering@thunderbay.ca.

All underground work, which will take place within the Right of Way of all City of Thunder Bay owned property, must first be approved by engineering department staff. When doing underground work, a Utility Location Permit must be obtained from the City of Thunder Bay's Engineering Department.

You need a water service connection for any new house. If you are looking to add a second suite to your home, among other approvals, you may need to upgrade your current service. Please contact Building Services for more information at 807-625-2574.