How Can We Help You?

Animal or Wildlife Concern

In most areas, dogs must be kept on a leash and under control. Guelph has some designated off-leash areas.

• Get a dog license (tags) or register your pet online
• Learn about urban wildlife in Guelph
• View a list of Guelph bylaws about animals
• Contact the Guelph Humane Society at 519-824-3091 to report a lost pet or animal in distress.

Building Permits and Inspections

Requests for residential building permits and inspections should be submitted electronically through the Guelph Permit and Application System.

• Building applications, forms and fees

Business

The Economic Development Office provides a number of services to make it easier to do business in Guelph.

• Bids and tenders
• BizPal business licences and permits
• Business licences and permits
• Business directory
• Lottery licences

Bylaw Compliance and Concerns

Report a bylaw concern using the report a problem map or call 519-837-2529

• Business Licences
• Encroachment and encroachment agreements
• Fireworks safety and bylaw
• Noise control and nuisance party bylaws
• Outdoor water use and restrictions in Guelph
• Parking penalty notices and tickets
• Property standards and yard maintenance bylaws
• Seasonal Patio Program
• Tree bylaws and permits

Commissioner of Oaths

The City’s Commissioner of Oaths is designated to take oaths or declarations when you sign an affidavit or statutory declaration on a document. Appointments are available weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at City Hall.  

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment hears applications to create new lots, adjust boundaries, and applications for minor variances to the municipal Zoning Bylaw. They meet the 2nd Thursday and 4th Thursday (if necessary) at City Hall.

Emergency Services

In case of emergency: CALL 911

• Book an ambulance station tour
• Book a fire station tour
• Fire Code inspection request/complaint
• Fire Services – Common forms, checklists and guides
• Public education requests
• Request a file search and/or sale of property inspection
• Request a fire truck visit
• Register your Public Access Defibrillator
• Request an ambulance visit
• Request special event medical coverage
• Submit a File of Life form
• Update emergency contact information

Fee Assistance or Subsidy

The City offers fee assistance and financial subsidies for people living on a low income.

• The affordable bus pass was created to offer transportation at an affordable cost for anyone living on a low income in Guelph.
• The Fee Assistance in Recreation (FAIR) program offers fee assistance to adults and seniors needing financial assistance to access recreation programs offered by the City.
• The City offers an animal / pet license subsidy to owners of cats and dogs. All subsidized animal licences must be purchased at City Hall.

Garbage and Recycling

Guelph uses a three-stream automated waste cart collection system. Your green organics cart is collected every week. Your blue recycling and grey garbage carts are collected every other week.

• Check the Garbage and recycling schedule for your address.
• Book a large item pickup to dispose of furniture, appliances, and other large items.

Guelph Transit

To use Guelph Transit buses, please pay your fare using your OnYourWay fare card or cash. 

• Trip planning
• Guelph Transit Mobility Services – wheelchair accessible transit
• Rent a bus for your event
• Schedules and route maps

Lost and Found

Report a lost or found item in a City building, parking lot, City bus, Guelph Central Station, River Run Center, Sleeman Centre, recreational facility or park.

Marriage

Getting married in Ontario is a two-step process that involves getting a marriage licence and having a marriage ceremony. Civil marriage ceremonies can be booked at City Hall.

Mayor and Council

City Council consists of the Mayor and councillors, two from each of the City’s six wards. Members of Council are elected by residents to a four-year term of office.

Parking

Find a Parking Spot Downtown Guelph or get a parking permit for downtown, on-street, winter and overnight parking.

The City of Guelph uses an Administrative Penalty System (APS) for parking violations, offering an alternative to court proceedings, streamlining the process and allowing for quicker access to a dispute process and resolution.

Parks, Trails and Sports Fields

Parks and sports fields, including Baseball Diamonds are open from May 1 to September 30.

Grass maintenance (mowing) is done on Irrigated (watered) sports fields every five business days, between Victoria Day and September 30. Parks and other sports fields are mowed every 10 business days between May 1 and September 30. Machinery and herbicide are used for managing invasive plants on City property.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is responsible for forecasting floods and issuing flood warnings. To report flooding in the City of Guelph please call 519-837-5628.

Power Outages

For information on current power outages check Alectra’s power outage map. To report an outage that’s not on the map contact Alectra via the red “Report Outage” button or call them 24/7 at 519-822-3014.

Property Taxes

Get information on your tax bills and payments.

Recreation

The City of Guelph has a variety of facilities and parks available to rent for sporting activities, meetings, parties, and special events. Recreation programs and activities from rom swimming to fitness programs, to pottery classes are available for registration.

• Market Square ice rink status

Roads and Sidewalks Maintenance

Report a problem with asphalt damage (potholes), grafitti, gravel road and shoulder issues, road debris including litter and roadkill, sidewalk and curb damage, storm drain blockages, or street lights in need of maintenance.

City of Guelph snow removal prioritizes main arterial roads, followed by residential roads. Sidewalks with high volume of pedestrian traffic are serviced after 4 centimetres of snow, and residential sidewalks after 8 centimetres of snow accumulates.

Environmental or Chemical Spill

To report a spill with an environmental concern, please contact the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks at 1-800-268-6060

Potholes and Road Damage

The City inspects all roads to find and fix potholes and other road damage according to Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards

Traffic Signals

To request a review of a traffic signal timing you will need:

• Name of the street
• Name of the nearest cross-street or intersection
• Which lane (i.e., north bound lane, turning lane, etc.)
• To explain the signal issue

Request a review of signal timing

Trees

To report fallen trees or branches causing a hazard, or blocking a road, sidewalk, or trail please call 519-837-5626.

Hanlon Parkway/Highway 6 North

For concerns with potholes and road conditions along the Hanlon Parkway/Highway 6 North please call the Ontario Ministry of Transportation at 416-235-4686 or toll-free at 1-800-268-4686 (TTY: 905-704-2426 or 1-866-471-8929)

Wellington County and Outside of the City of Guelph

For concerns with potholes and road damage in Wellington County, outside of the City of Guelph boundaries, please contact the Wellington County Roads Division at 519-837-2601 or 1-800-663-0750