About Richmond Hill
The City of Richmond Hill is located in York Region and is home to more than 200,000 residents. Our Mission Statement is, "The City of Richmond Hill Council and staff are committed to providing exceptional public service to our community."
Council
Who is the Member of Council in charge of my ward? How do I know which ward I live in? |
MayorRegional and Local CouncillorsGodwin Chan (Deputy Mayor) and Joe DiPaola Local CouncillorsView our complete ward map. For information about Members of Council and to view which ward you live in, visit our Mayor and Council section or contact them at 905-771-8800. |
Other Elected Officials
Who are my Members of Parliament (MP) and Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and what do they do? How do I get in touch with them? |
Information about your MP who represents you at a federal level can be obtained at www.parl.gc.ca. Information about your MPP who represents you at the provincial level can be obtained at www.elections.on.ca. |
Parks, Recreation and Culture
How can I find out about City recreation activities, facility programs and hours of operation? |
The seasonal Community Recreation Guide lists the various activities offered at Richmond Hill community centres. A copy of the guide is delivered to all households each season. If you require more information or a copy, call 905-771-8870. |
Animal issues
Who can I report animal issues to? Who should I call to report a dead animal on the street for pick up? |
Richmond Hill has a partnership with the City of Vaughan Animal Services that provides animal control and animal shelter services. Officers respond to calls about wildlife and pets. Visit their website at www.vaughan.ca/animalservices or reach them at: |
By-laws
Can my overnight guests park their vehicles on the street? |
Richmond Hill residents can buy a temporary parking permit online at any time for their guests. You can also buy a temporary parking permit in-person (with proof of your address) from Parking Control at: 225 East Beaver Creek Road, 3rd floor Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday Permits cost $5 plus HST. |
My neighbour's grass is exceptionally long, and the yard looks unsightly. Who can I speak to? |
Contact staff in the Enforcement Section at 905 771-0198. Upon receiving the complaints the City will send enforcement officers to measure the grass on the specified property before determining the validity of the complaint. If, at the time of the officer's attendance at the property, the length of the grass and or weeds exceeds the 20 cm (8'') maximum height requirement, the officer will issue an order to cut the grass/weeds. The officer will re-inspect the property for compliance after nine days. If the owner/occupant has not cut the grass to comply with the order, the officer will forward a work order to the City's Grass Cutting Contractor to have the grass cut to comply with the by-law. All charges for the cutting and the administration of the by-law will be invoiced to the property owner. |
What are the by-laws governing front yard parking in residential zones? |
Vehicles cannot be parked or stored on your front yard or exterior side yard other than on a designated legal driveway used to gain direct access to the garage or identified parking structure. The maximum width of a driveway is less than 3 m for residential lots having frontages of less than 9 m; 6 m for lots having less than 18 m frontage and 9 m for lots in excess of 18 m. A minimum area of 45 per cent of the required front yard shall be landscaped. The access, parking and/or storage of vehicles is not permitted on any landscaped area of any front or exterior side yard. |
Parking Tickets
Where do I pay a penalty notice? |
There are four options to pay a parking penalty.
Dishonoured cheques will be subject to an administrative fee. |
Where can I find information for City of Richmond Hill by-laws? |
Please refer to the by-laws section of our website. |
Who can I speak to if I have an issue about my fine or received a letter from the City? |
If you have received a Parking Penalty Notice, you can request an in-person review of the penalty by a Screening Officer by visiting our Parking Portal or calling 905-771-5734. You can request an online Screening review If you have a question about a non-Parking by-law, you can contact the By-law Enforcement Office at 905-771-0198. |
Garbage and Recycling
What day is my green bin, blue box and garbage collected? |
The collection schedule is outlined in the annual waste management calendar. Garbage is collected bi-weekly, while blue box and green bins are collected weekly. Please ensure that your materials for collection are placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on the designated day of collection for your house. However, please do not put out your garbage before 6 p.m. the day before your regularly scheduled pick-up. Watch for your copy of the annual waste management calendar in the mail in December through Canada Post delivery. |
What kinds of things can I recycle? |
Materials such as newspaper, boxboard, household paper, beverage cartons and drink boxes, glass bottles and jars, metal food and beverage cans (including Aluminium foil), plastic bottles and jugs, plastic tubs, lids and trays, empty paint cans (with lids removed) and empty aerosol cans can all be placed in your blue box for recycling. Material in plastic bags cannot be collected for recycling. Please place material for collection loose in your blue box. Help keep our community clean by ensuring light items are secure in your blue box and are not blown around by the wind. |
What can be included in my green bin? |
Organic waste include items such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, filters, tea bags, nuts/shells, soiled papers, microwave popcorn bags, ice-cream boxes, tissues, paper towels, napkins, meat products, dairy products, egg shells, diapers, animal waste, kitty litter, pet fur, animal bedding and shredded paper (in a clear plastic bag). Please ensure all material placed in the green bin is bagged. Green bins with unbagged materials will not be collected. |
When is my next yard waste collection? |
Visit RichmondHill.ca/YardWaste for details on yard waste collection. |
How can I dispose of my appliances or furniture? |
The City offers a free monthly collection of appliances such as a fridge, stove, washer or other large metal item. You can schedule a pick-up online at through our Large Appliance Pick-up Application. Furniture, including tables, chairs, mattresses, sofas, etc., are collected on your garbage collection day. |
Taxes
Why do I have to pay taxes and how is that money spent? |
the City provides a number of services to you as a resident every single day and the money received from tax payments is used to pay for those services. Some of the services the City provides include road maintenance and clearing, parks maintenance, street light operations, pools and community centres, libraries, and fire rescue and prevention. The exact breakdown of how the money is spent by department or by service can be obtained by visiting our budget section. In addition to this, the City also collects tax monies for upper tier governments. This includes York Region, who provide you with a group of services including health, ambulance, police as well as specific services for seniors and children. Monies are also collected on behalf of the Province of Ontario to pay for education. For a breakdown or explanation of how much of your taxes go to the City versus the other levels of government, please contact Access Richmond Hill. |
How do I pay my taxes? |
To facilitate payment and avoid penalties for late payment, you may use any of the following methods of payment:
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Building and Planning
When do I need a building permit and what is required to apply for it? |
A property owner should apply for a building permit for the construction, demolition or addition to any building, including porches, sundecks and fi replaces, etc. Applications for permits must be made in person at the Planning and Development Department on the 4th floor of Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road. Please call 905-771-8810 for more information. |
What are the applicable Zoning by-laws pertaining to a property? at are the applicable Zoning by-laws pertaining to a property? |
Please contact zoning examiners at 905-771-8810 or drop by to see them on the 4th floor of Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road. |
Can I obtain my property survey? |
The Building Department carries most property surveys depending on the age of the Building Department carries most property surveys depending on the age of your property. Please call 905-771-8810 for more information. |
Other Related Questions
Who should I call if I have a question or concern about natural gas or electricity? |
The main 24-hour emergency telephone number for Alectra Utilities (your local electrical utility) is 1-877-777-3810. The emergency number for Enbridge (your local gas supplier) is 1-866-763-5427. For service and billing inquiries, please call 1-877-362-7434. |
How do I find York Region Transit (YRT) or Viva routes, maps and schedules? |
Please visit www.yorkregiontransit.com. |
What do I need to know about Richmond Hill's new municipal service hub? |
Access Richmond Hill makes it easier to find the municipal service you need, in one central point of contact, allowing everyone access to a wide range of services and information. The City's one-window contact centre will respond to general inquiries and concerns, as well as process applications, permits, work orders, program registrations and payments. Some key services currently provided include: tax and water bill payments, parking ticket payments, marriage licenses, tenders, proposal and quotation package pick-up, in-person program registration for recreation programs, Tree Preservation By-law applications and requests for tree and City parks maintenance. Visit Access Richmond Hill on the Ground Floor of the Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road or send an email to access@richmondhill.ca or by phone at 905-771-8800. |
Where do I find information about getting married? |
If you intend to marry within Ontario, you may obtain a marriage licence at the City. A marriage licence expires three months from the date of issue. Civil marriage services can be performed by the City Clerk. Please call 905-771-8800 for more information. You can obtain a Marriage Licence Application here. |