COVID-19

Everyone is feeling the effects of COVID-19, and if you need support, there is help available to you. York Region provides an online list of wide-ranging support services, including help for seniors, people experiencing homelessness or in need of emergency food access, and those in need of financial relief. There are also resources available to help you maintain your mental health and well-being during the pandemic.

You can also access information on government and community-based social services through 211 Ontario by dialing 2-1-1 (for non-emergency requests) or visiting 211ontario.ca.

Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine for information about the vaccine and where you can get vaccinated, including mobile and pop-up clinics.

The Ontario Government in partnership with Metrolinx, is also offering mobile clinics. The GO-VAXX buses are travelling to malls, festivals, community hubs and events throughout the summer and fall across the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region. For more information and to see the schedule, visit the Ontario Government website.

• Indoor organized public events and social gatherings with up to 25 people are allowed.
• Outdoor gathering limits for social gatherings and organized public events have been expanded to up to 100 people.

For more information on gathering limits, including for restaurants, theatres and religious services, please visit the Government of Ontario website.

York Region Enforcement

To report non-compliance at a food establishment, personal service setting, or recreational water facility, please call York Region at 1-877-464-9675 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These establishments include:

• Restaurants and bars
• Grocery stores, convenience stores, discount and big box retailers selling groceries
• Tattoo studios, body piercing shops, aesthetics salons, and hairdressing and barber shops
• Public pools, spas, beaches, splash pads and wading pools

Community Standards Officers are patrolling the City to enforce provincial COVID-19 regulations and any resident and/or business not in compliance could be fined.

City of Richmond Hill Enforcement

To report non-compliance at any other business or public space in Richmond Hill, including private social gatherings and organized public events, please call 905-747-6400, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or email bylaw@richmondhill.ca seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information on COVID-19 regulations, including a list of charges and closures in York Region, visit York Region's website.

City Services

Recreation 

Community Centres

• Bayview Hill Community Centre for drop-in recreation programs including badminton, table tennis and pickleball, in-person fitness classes and registered programs. Pre-registration required.
• Langstaff Community Centre for drop-in recreation programs including badminton and table tennis and registered programs. Pre-registration required.
• Oak Ridges Community Centre for indoor classes and drop-in activities
• Rouge Woods Community Centre for registered programs

Pools and Fitness Centres

• Centennial Pool for recreational/lane swimming and Aquatic Leadership Programs. Pre-registration required.
• Bayview Hill Pool for recreational/lane swimming, Aquatic Leadership Programs and aqua fitness classes. Pre-registration required.
• Oak Ridges Pool for recreational and lane swimming, Aquatic Leadership Programs and permits. Learn to swim lessons to be offered in the fall
• Oak Ridges Fitness Centre (membership required)
• Ed Sackfield Fitness Centre (membership required) and Indoor Track

Recreation and Culture Facilities and Programs

• The Heritage Centre for outdoor activities
• Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory for in-person astronomy programs
• Registration for indoor in-person fitness classes
• Registration for many fall recreational programs with more still to come later this month
• Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts for livestreaming and rental permits with limited audience capacity
• Eyer Homestead Ropes Challenge Course for permits and registered programs
• Ed Sackfield Arena for permits 
• Tom Graham Arena for permits 
• Richmond Hill Public Library with limited study space and computer use, access to browse shelves, in-branch holds pickup, and continued curbside pickup. Find out more at rhpl.ca/reopening. 
• Stay Active at Home virtual activities

Outdoor Amenities

• Parks, trails, playgrounds and outdoor amenities
• Splash pads
• Sports fields/courts for permits (league play)
• Photo permits for weddings, engagements and family photos
• Outdoor picnic permits for up to 100 people 

September

• Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory reopens for historical tours on September 26

October

• Bond Lake Arena for permits, recreational skating, skating lessons and shinny
• Elgin Barrow Arena for permits, recreational skating, skating lessons and shinny
• Elgin West Community Centre for indoor classes and drop-in activities (evenings and weekends)
• Elgin West Pool for Aquatic Leadership Programs, permits, and learn to swim lessons (evening and weekends). Recreational and lane swimming begin in December 2021
• McConaghy Centre for indoor classes and drop-in activities
• Richmond Green Sports Centre for permits and indoor Lawn Bowling
• Richmond Green Sports Dome for permits
• Richmond Green Bocce Courts
• Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts for in person Musical Theatre and Broadway Bound, weekday and weekend programs
• Richmond Hill Heritage Centre for guided tours

*Dates and times subject to change due to provincial COVID-19 restrictions.

• Select community centres, pools and arenas
• Bayview Hill Fitness Studio
• Boynton House
• Richmond Green indoor bocce
• Richmond Green indoor lawn bowling
• Fire stations (emergency response is unaffected)

Beginning September 22, 2021, the Ontario government requires visitors to certain municipal facilities (e.g. recreation facilities, fitness centres, theatre, indoor event and meeting spaces) to be fully vaccinated and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. This does not apply to the Main Municipal Offices or the Operations Centre.

To enter, visitors must:

• Show proof of COVID-19 vaccination (print or digital)
• Show valid ID (e.g., health card, driver’s licence)
• Complete the screening form (RichmondHill.ca/Screening) 

Note additional health and safety measures are in place once inside, including face covering/mask requirements and physical distancing. If you are feeling unwell, please do not visit a facility. 

Exceptions 

Proof of vaccination is not required for the following:

• Youth under the age of 18 actively participating in an organized sport, including training, practices, games and competitions, including:
  • sports leagues
  • organized pick-up sports
  • dance classes
  • martial arts
  • swim classes
• Children under the age of 12

Medical exceptions

Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions are required to present identification and appropriate written documentation from a physician or registered nurse stating the individual is exempt for a medical reason. 

Parents/guardians, spectators ages 12 and over and all other visitors who do not meet the exemption criteria above must provide proof of vaccination and show ID before entering. Where adult participation and/or supervision is required, the adult accompanying the individual must show proof of vaccination and ID before entering.

All visitors, regardless of exemption, must still complete the online screening form at RichmondHill.ca/Screening before entering and must adhere to other health and safety requirements when inside the facility.

Those who wish to withdraw from a program can contact recreation@richmondhill.ca.

Where applicable, you are encouraged to speak with your sports leagues and organizations for any additional requirements they may have implemented. 

The health and safety of our staff and visitors is a priority for the City. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

For more information on the provincial proof of vaccination guidelines, visit the Ontario government's Frequently Asked Questions page or the Proof of Vaccination/Exemptions page.   

Additional Health and Safety Measures 

• Face masks or coverings are required in all enclosed public spaces. Exceptions include people who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, children under the age of five or those who require accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Learn more at York.ca/MandatoryMasks.
• Signage is posted throughout facilities, including floor markers, to reinforce physical distancing and other health and safety guidelines.
• Plexiglas barriers have been installed at front counter service areas and hand sanitizer stations will be available at all entrances.

The main Municipal Offices feature a new customer-centric service area on the ground floor, which will increase safety and accessibility for residents by removing the need to travel between multiple floors. Visitors will find it more streamlined and convenient to have Access Richmond Hill, Office of the Clerk, Planning Services, Building Services and Development Engineering Services all located by the main entrance.

The following in-person services are available at 225 East Beaver Creek Road:

• Marriage licences (appointment required; initial application can be done online)
• Parking and By-law penalty notice payments (online option available)
• Garbage tag, green bin and blue box sales
• Routine Disclosures and Requests for Records (online option available)
• Commissioning of documents (appointment required)
• Municipal related invoice payments (with hardcopy of the bill)
• Tax and water bill payments (can also be done online through your bank)
• Apply for, change or cancel pre-authorized payments for water and property bills (online option available)
• Residential building permit application (online option available)
• Building Permit pre-consultation meeting (appointment required)
• Site alteration permit application prescreening (appointment required)
• Technical inquiries related to site alteration permits and subdivisions, site plans and grading complaints (appointment required)
• Traffic complaints (appointment required; email option available: traffic.inquiries@richmondhill.ca)

While the main Municipal Offices are open on the ground floor for service, Council meetings will remain virtual for residents to view or participate. City staff are pursuing a hybrid model of Council meeting which could allow for a combination of in-person and virtual participation. This will be tested with Members of Council this fall before inviting the public back in person.

We are here to help

The Access Richmond Hill Contact Centre can help you with general inquiries and respond to questions or concerns about programs and services. We also offer translation assistance for residents who need services in languages other than English.

If you have questions about how to access a City service, please visit RichmondHill.ca or contact Access Richmond Hill by email at access@richmondhill.ca or by phone at 905-771-8800 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents can also report a problem (e.g. missed garbage collection, streetlight out), and/or submit a general inquiry using our online portal. 

The following in-person services are available at 1200 Elgin Mills Road East:

• Garbage tag, green bin and blue box sales
• Parking and By-law penalty notice screenings and hearings (appointment required; online screenings available)
• Parking and By-law penalty notice payments (online option available)
• Sign retrievals (payment and pick-up of sign)
• Fire Route sign sales
• Recreation facility bookings (appointment required; online option available)