Entranceway Permits

 A Permanent Entranceway Permit is required for new or modified permanent access to a Regional road. This includes installing a new entranceway or relocating, reclassifying, or improving an existing entranceway.

Types of permanent entranceways include:

• Single-Family Residential Entranceway
  Provides access to a single-family home in either a rural or urban setting.
• Field Entranceway
  Provides seasonal access for farm equipment to agricultural lands used for planting, harvesting, grazing, etc. No buildings are permitted on these lands.
• Farm Entranceway
  Provides access to a farm residence, barns, storage buildings, or other agricultural infrastructure.

Entranceways for commercial, industrial, and multi-unit residential sites are typically approved through the municipal Site Plan Approval process. A permit is not required for an entranceway that is part of an approved site plan.

A Temporary Entranceway Permit allows short-term access to a property, typically for construction-related activities, such as temporary sales trailers, site alterations, or use of a residential or field access for construction activity. It is valid for a specific timeframe and purpose.

• Each property is generally permitted one entranceway.
• Multiple entranceways may be considered where natural features (such as ditches, creeks, or trees) or site constraints prevent reasonable internal access, whether for fields, buildings, or other site areas. 

 To maintain traffic safety and efficiency, the Region may restrict the location of new entranceways. All entranceways must:

• Avoid interfering with traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists
• Provide adequate sightlines, grading, and alignment for safe access

Entranceways may be refused if:

• Access is available from a local municipal road
• There is inadequate sight distance
• The location falls within a turn lane, acceleration/deceleration lane, or truck climbing lane on the Regional road
• The entranceway is too close to an intersection, bridge, railway crossing, or an adjacent entranceway

Gates, pillars, fences, and other landscaping features must be placed entirely on private property and do not require Regional approval.

A sketch or drawing showing the location of the proposed new entranceway, or the alteration of an existing entranceway,  is required. 

All sketches must show enough detail and measurements of landmarks to show exactly where the proposed work area is located.

Proposed entranceways shall be designed in accordance with the Region’s Design and Construction Specifications (including the Design Specifications for Roads, Structures and Entranceways) and shall comply with the latest Ontario Provincial Standards Drawings (OPSD).

For temporary entranceway permits, the applicant is responsible for restoring the site to its original condition upon completion of the permitted work. In addition to drawings showing the entranceway details, the applicant must provide clear photographs of the site prior to the commencement of work. These photographs must be submitted to the Region for documentation and confirmation of existing site conditions to support future restoration requirements.

All required drawings and photographs must be submitted and approved prior to starting any work.

• This entranceway permit is subject to all applicable municipal and Regional by-laws.
• All Regional roads are classified as controlled-access roads, and any access construction or use must comply with Regional By-Law No. 2024-028.

• No construction or alteration of an approved entranceway shall commence until a Road Occupancy Permit has been issued by the Region.
• Construction authorized under this permit must commence within six (6) months of the date of issuance; otherwise, the permit may be cancelled by the Region.

• All works related to the entranceway shall conform to the approved plans and specifications and remain subject to the Region’s approval.
• The property owner shall bear all associated costs.
• The design and specifications of an entranceway shall not be altered without prior approval from the Region. Any proposed modifications, including the addition of curbs, gutters, or similar features, require a new application.
• Construction vehicles shall not park or queue on the Regional Road, without an approved Road Occupancy Permit (ROP).

• Once an Entranceway Permit (Temporary or Permanent) is issued, the applicant must also apply for and obtain a Road Occupancy Permit (ROP) at least two (2) weeks prior to commencing any works within any part of the Regional Road right-of-way. This is a separate permit that can be applied for at www.durham.ca/permits. A Road Occupancy Permit is required to allow a contractor to work within the Regional road allowance and enables the Region to coordinate the works.

• The Applicant is responsible for all contractors and subcontractors using the access approved by this permit.
• The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with the permit, construction, operation and removal of a temporary access and restoration of the site to its original condition.
• For the permanent entranceway, the owner is responsible for any construction required to complete the entranceway after the Region has completed the culvert installation or curb cut. Regional staff will inspect the work to ensure the entranceway complies with Regional standards, permit conditions, and approved locations.
• The Applicant is responsible to identify and address any conflicts with existing infrastructure.

• Trees, shrubs, and other vegetation within the Regional right-of-way shall not be cut or trimmed without written authorization from the Region. Such work must be carried out under the Region’s direct supervision or that of its authorized agent.
• Where vegetation removal is required on adjacent private property, the applicant must make appropriate arrangements with the affected property owners and bear all related costs, including liability for damages.

• Entranceways must be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent surface water from the entranceway or adjoining property from discharging onto the Regional right-of-way.
• The owner shall not block or modify any approved culverts in any way.

• The applicant is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and removal of all traffic control signage during construction, per an approved Road Occupancy Permit (ROP).
• Adequate safety measures must be implemented and maintained to protect the public during all phases of construction.

• The approved use or purpose of an entranceway as described on the permit shall not be altered without prior approval from the Region.
• Improper use of an entranceway may result in cancellation of the permit.
• Applications for a change of use or purpose must be submitted to the Region for review and approval.

• The property owner is responsible for maintaining the entranceway in compliance with Regional requirements as per By-Law 2024-028.
• The Region is only responsible for maintaining the culvert or curb-cut. The maintenance of the surface of any portion of the driveway within the Regional road allowance is the responsibility of the owner, as per Regional By-Law 2024-028.
• Any paving within this area requires Regional approval and shall be completed at the property owner’s expense.
• For a temporary entranceway, measures to prevent mud / debris tracking onto the Regional road shall be appropriate for the type, intensity, duration, and location of the activity. A 25m length rock mud mat is the minimum requirement; a wheel wash will be required for large, more intense and/or longer-term sites. The on-site mud control measures shall be installed and maintained for the duration of the use of the entranceway.
• The Applicant will be responsible for the clean-up of mud or debris tracking on the Regional Road. The Region may use the Applicant’s deposit at their discretion to clean the road if the applicant fails to keep the Regional Road in a safe and clean condition.

• If an expiry date is specified on this permit, applications for renewal must be submitted prior to expiry. Approval of renewal is at the Region’s discretion.
• Upon expiry without renewal, the Region may require removal of all works at no cost to the Region. The Regional road right-of-way must be restored to its original condition or better.

If the permit expires and the applicant fails to renew the permit prior to expiry, or fails to address identified safety concerns to the Region’s satisfaction, the Region reserves the right to block off, remove, or otherwise render the entranceway inoperable to protect public safety. Such actions shall be undertaken at the applicant’s expense, and the applicant’s security deposit will be used by the Region to cover all associated costs.

• The Region reserves the right to cancel this permit at any time for breach of its conditions, non-compliance with applicable by-laws or regulations, or if, in the opinion of the Region, the entranceway or related activities pose a risk to public safety or the integrity of the Regional road — including, but not limited to, lack of proper maintenance, failure to comply with these Terms and Conditions, or any action or omission that creates a hazardous condition.
• In cases where a permit is cancelled or suspended and the entranceway poses a safety risk or remains in non-compliance, the Region may close, remove, or block off the entranceway to protect the public. Such actions shall be undertaken at the applicant’s expense, and for temporary entranceway, the applicant’s security deposit will be used by the Region to cover all associated costs.