The County of Lanark offers a directional sign program for tourists and residents. Interested businesses or organizations can apply to have signage that will be placed in the County road allowance to provide direction to their location. For complete details, please review our Policy.

 

How to Apply

Complete and submit your Commercial Identification Sign Application by email or drop it off to the Public Works Business Office, together with the $25 application fee. The fee can be paid by cash, cheque payable to Lanark County or e-Transfer to pwpermits@lanarkcounty.ca . No other fees are required until your application has been approved.

 

Sign Types and Fees

Application	Fee
Type A – One or Two lines of text, single sided sign (48 x 16”)	$372
Type B – One or Two lines of text, double sided sign (48 x 16”)	$384
Type C – Three lines of text, single sided sign (48 x 24”)	$382
Type D – Three lines of text, double sided sign (48 x 24”)	$422
Annual Maintenance	$30/sign

 

Annual Maintenance Fee

All maintenance fees are due prior to June 1st each year. An invoice will be forwarded to your business, at the address indicated on your application form. It is the owner’s responsibility to advise the County if the ownership or address of the business changes at any time. Annual maintenance fees are subject to Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Signs that are removed due to non-payment of the annual maintenance fee are subject to reinstallation costs, which must be paid in full prior to the sign being reinstalled.

 

Request for Sign Removal

If your business or organization ceases to operate, you are required to complete and submit the Sign Removal Request Form. Your signs will then be removed and will be available for pick up if requested.

The County of Lanark offers a directional sign program for tourists and residents. Interested businesses or organizations can apply to have signage that will be placed in the road allowance to provide direction to their location. For complete details, please review our Policy.

 

How to Apply

Complete and submit your Commercial Identification Sign Application by email or drop it off to the Public Works Business Office. The required fees can be paid by cash, cheque payable to Lanark County, Interac Debit or e-Transfer to pwpermits@lanarkcounty.ca.

 

Sign Types and Fees

Application	Fee
Type Trail A – One or Two lines of text, single sided sign (30 x 12”)	$295
Type Trail B – One or Two lines of text, double sided sign (30 x 12”)	$320
Annual Maintenance	$30/sign

 

Annual Maintenance Fee

All maintenance fees are due prior to June 1st each year. An invoice will be forwarded to your business, at the address indicated on your application form. It is the owner’s responsibility to advise the County if the ownership or address of the business changes at any time. Annual maintenance fees are subject to Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Signs that are removed due to non-payment of the annual maintenance fee are subject to reinstallation costs, which must be paid in full prior to the sign being reinstalled.

 

Request for Sign Removal

If your business or organization ceases to operate, you are required to complete and submit the Sign Removal Request Form. Your signs will then be removed and will be available for pick up if requested.

The installation of advertising signs and devices on property along and adjacent to County Roads will be permitted only when they meet the requirements of the regulating By-Law and Policy.

For complete details, please review our Information Form and Policy.

How to Apply

To place a sign or device within 400 metres from the limits of a rural road allowance or 40 metres from the limits of an urban road allowance, complete and submit your Application for Advertising Signs and Devices by email or drop it off at the Public Works Business Office.

On February 12, 2025 Lanark County Council approved the adoption of a new Work in Right-of-Way Policy (By-Law 2025-06). The policy ensures all work such as, construction, maintenance, utility installations, and events, comply with regulations, protects public assets, and minimizes disruptions to traffic and communities. The Policy serves as a guide for staff, applicants, and contractors planning on undertaking work within Lanark County’s Right of Way.

A “Work in Right-of-Way” Permit is required by any person, utility company or contractor performing any activities within a Lanark County Right-Of-Way. A “Work in Right of Way” Permit provides permission from the County of Lanark for the applicant to begin working within the County-Owned Right-of-Way.

Examples of activities requiring a “Work in Right-of-Way” Permit may include but are not limited to the following:

• Installation of an entrance
• Culvert Installation/removal
• Driveway Paving
• Curb cuts
• Landscaping
• Utility works in the roadway
• Utility work parallel to but not on the Roadway
•  Temporary encroachment into the County Right-of-Way
• Loading and unloading loading equipment
• Work that interrupts the safe flow of traffic or work requiring traffic control

 

How to Apply

An application for a Work in Right-of-Way Permit must be filed with The County of Lanark no less than ten (10) working days in advance of the start of an activity within the County of Lanark’s right-of-way.

In order to assist you in applying online, throughout the course of the application you may be asked for one or more of the following documents to be uploaded:

• Proof of General Liability Insurance, underwritten by an insurer licenced to conduct business in the Province of Ontario, for a limit of not less than Five Million ($5,000,000.00) Dollars
•  Proof of Standard Form Automobile Insurance that complies with all the requirements of the current legislation of the Province of Ontario, having an inclusive limit of not less than Two Million ($2,000,000.00) Dollars.
•  Security deposit determined by the nature of the proposed work, as per the schedule of fees;
•  Application Permit Fee as per the schedule of fees;
•  Detailed Drawing, Diagram or Map;
•  Proof of Municipal Consent, if Applicable;
• Traffic Control Plan (TCP) from the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7 (OTM Book 7);
  • (TCP Template)

 

Permit Fees

Effective immediately, in accordance with the Work in Right of Way Policy Fee Schedule as amended from time to time, all applications will be subject to a $25.00 application fee and where applicable a $75.00 inspection fee, to be paid at time of submission.

Work in ROW Permit	$25
Inspection (per occurrence, as required)	$75

 

Permit Deposit Requirements

Excavation within R.O.W, outside of Travelled Lanes	$1,000
Excavation within R.O.W, within Travelled Lanes	$2,500
Excavation within R.O.W, Per Km Parallel with Road	$2,000
Temporary Encroachment	$500
Temporary Road Occupation	As Required by the PW Director

Staff review of all applications will not commence until all fees are paid in full and until all requirements have been met to the satisfaction of the County of Lanark.

 

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Should the Right-of-Way Activity Permit authorize a road cut or excavation, the Applicant is responsible for the temporary restoration as well as all costs associated with final restoration. Details concerning inspection, excavation and restoration can be found in By-Law 2025-06. If required, additional inspection fees will be charged per occurrence, as required.

When is a Permit Required?

An entrance permit is required before any construction, alteration or use of a new or existing entranceway. This ensures safe and efficient access while protecting road infrastructure and the travelling public.

You must apply for an entrance permit if you are:

• Constructing a new entrance
• Constructing a temporary entrance
• Changing the design, location or use of an existing entrance
• Paving an existing entrance

New entrances to County roads will only be permitted when access from a local municipal road is not possible.

 

What Type of Application do I Submit?

If you are buying or developing land and require a new entrance, you must complete an Application for Entrance Inquiry, and pay the applicable fee through Permit Central. If you are not the current owner of the lands, you will require the owner’s consent for you to act as an agent on the inquiry application.

Upon receipt of the completed entrance inquiry application through Permit Central, we will inspect the proposed entrance location and advise you within 5 days if it can be approved.

When you are ready to construct or modify the entrance, you must complete an Application for Entrance Permit and pay the applicable fee through Permit Central.

Any work taking place by you or a contractor within the County Right-of-Way requires an application for a Work in Right-of-Way Permit. Applicable fees, documentation, deposits and application approval are required before work may begin.

The amount of the fee and deposit will depend on the type of Entrance permit you have applied for. Your inquiry application will remain valid for one year and if you proceed within this time period.

 

How to Apply

Beginning April 2025, Entrance applications must be applied for using the Permit Central Online Portal. Paper applications will no longer be accepted. 

Apply for a Entrance Inquiry

Apply for an Entrance Permit

Apply for a Work in Right-of-Way Permit

Application types, fees and deposits

Fees and deposits will be processed online through Permit Central. Fees will be specified at the time of application review.

Once you have submitted an application, you will receive follow-up emails notifying you of Lanark County’s receipt of your application. Please note, this is NOT an approval.

If your activity requires more than one permit (i.e. Entrance Inquiries, Entrance Permits, Work in R.O.W Permits), you may link all these permits in Permit Central or by using the link provided in your approval email for the original permit.  

 

Want to confirm an entrance before buying property?

If you are thinking of buying property you may ask if an existing entrance has a permit. We will complete the necessary file search at no cost and respond to you within 2 business days.

 

Guidelines and Criteria

In order to provide safe and efficient movement of through traffic on all county roads, the guidelines to determine if an entrance can be permitted are complex. You will find the criteria for an entrance on a county road including spacing requirements between entrances in the Access to County Roads Policy. The current Access to County Roads Policy was adopted by By-Law 2024-28 at the June 2024 session of Lanark County Council.

 

How Long Will It Take to Get a Permit?

Under normal circumstances after a complete Entrance application is received, you can expect to receive your response as follows:

• Non-commercial entrances that comply with the Policy, within 20 business days
• Private road, commercial, industrial, institutional or multi-residential entrances will be considered in conjunction with the site plan development or subdivision approval process. The response will occur within 30 business days from the date that the site plan is received.

If applications do not conform to the Policy you will be notified and alternative options will be presented. No approvals will be issued until the proposed entrance location is approved

Entrance applications will be processed pending weather conditions. Applications will not be approved when winter conditions make site inspections impossible.

If you’re driving on a Lanark County road with a load exceeding the limits in the Highway Traffic Act, you must have an Oversize and Overweight Load permit.

 

2025 Reduced Load Restrictions

Please note that reduced load restrictions have been lifted on all county roads with the following exceptions:
CR17 (Derry Side Road)
Restrictions will remain in effect on this road until further notice.

Most local Municipalities have lifted their reduced load restrictions as well; however, please contact your local municipality to confirm.

Reduced Load Information

 

How to Apply

We must review and approve all documentation before we issue a permit. We require 48 business hours to process applications. Each load requires a permit and we offer single trip and annual permits.

Permit types and fees:

• Single trip permit $25
• Annual permit $100

Click here to apply for an Oversize/Overweight Load Permit.

Annual permits are valid to December 31st of the current year and can apply to multiple tractors and trailers. Single trip permits may be subject to special provisions and time restrictions.

 

Pre-trip Inspections and Escorts

You should check your route before the move to ensure that there are no obstructions. You are responsible for all costs and must arrange for escorts if required.

• Loads exceeding 3.5 m in width must have a front and rear escort.
• Loads exceeding 3.7 m in width may be required to notify the County two hours in advance of arriving at the County boundary. County staff may conduct a pre-trip inspection and determine required traffic control. The applicant will receive an invoice for County provided traffic control. We will inform you if these requirements apply to you, after we review your application.
• Loads exceeding 5 m in width or 45.75 m in length must have a certified escort. Applicants must provide proof of a certified escort.

 

Terms and Conditions

Permits may be cancelled without notice if any terms and conditions are violated. We will not process your application if your account is not in good standing.

• We require a certificate of insurance. Your coverage must include five million dollars commercial general liability naming “The Corporation of the County of Lanark” as an additional insured.
• You must notify affected utility companies 48 hours before the move to arrange for protection or alteration of utility plant.

 

Restrictions

Permits do not apply to roads or structures with posted load limitations.

Annual permit maximum dimensions are:

• Width: 3.7 m
• Height: 4.26 m
• Single Vehicle Length: 12.5 m including maximum overhang of 4.65 m
• Combination Vehicles Length: 25 m including maximum overhang of 4.65 m

Annual permit loads with a width greater than 3.36 m are:

• Restricted to daylight hours
• Not permitted on weekends or statutory holidays

 

Highways and Local Municipal Roads

The permits we issue are only valid on Lanark County roads. You may need a permit on other roads:

• For Provincial highways, contact the Ministry of Transportation
• For Local Municipal roads, contact the Local Municipality

If you are hosting an event that requires the use or closure of a County road or a County managed trail, you must have a County Road Special Event Permit. Events that may need permits include, but are not limited to:

• Road toll (boot drives)
• Parade
• Run/walk
• Cycle tour
• Competition
• Fair/Festival
• Fireworks

 

How to Apply

You must complete and submit a County Road Special Event Permit Application a minimum of 28 days before your event. Submit your application by email to or drop it off to the Public Works Business Office. There are no fees associated with a County Road Special Event permit.

 

Terms and Conditions

The following applies to all Special Event Permits:

• Insurance: You must provide a certificate of insurance 10 days before the event. Insurance must be in the name of the organization applying for the permit and include the following coverage:
  • General Liability Insurance with limits not less than two million dollars, inclusive per occurrence, for bodily injury, death and damage to property, including loss of use thereof;
  • “The Corporation of the County of Lanark” named as an additional insured;
  • Include coverage for Cross Liability;
  • contain an endorsement to provide Lanark County with 30 days written notice of cancellation or material change that would diminish coverage.
• Agreement to waive, indemnify, and hold harmless: In consideration of the issuing of a County Road Special Event Permit, the organization agrees to save harmless and indemnify The Corporation of the County of Lanark and its elected representatives, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, causes of action and or proceedings that may be brought against or made upon The Corporation of the County of Lanark and or its elected representatives, officers, employees or agents by any person or persons arising out of matters in any way related to any act, failure to act or otherwise of the organization and or its employees, officers, servants, volunteers and agents in respect of, or pertaining to, the special event described in your application or anything pertaining to the County Road Special Event Permit.
• Litter: You must pick up any litter generated from the event.

 

Events that Require a Temporary Road Closure

You must notify the public and all emergency services of the closure and provide details of the event including detour routes. Road closures need barricades and personnel to man them.

• Traffic Control Persons: You must provide traffic control persons. You must ensure all traffic control persons are competent and wear the proper safety clothing.
• Barricades: Barricades are available from local municipalities that you may pick up and must return. A detailed barricade plan may be required by the local municipality. At all times, you must have barricades and flashing beacons at both ends of the road closure. All traffic lanes in both directions need barricades. At all times, a traffic control person must be where the barricades are to facilitate local access and assist emergency vehicles through the barricaded area. You must remove barricades immediately after the event.
• Emergency Vehicle Access: You must keep a clear passageway within the closure so emergency vehicles can get through unobstructed.
• Signs: You must install signs 24 hours in advance of the event and keep them bagged until the start of the event. You must remove signs immediately after the event.

The Speed Management Policy lays out the process to initiate, review, install, monitor, and assess speed management measures on County Roads in an equitable and consistent manner. The policy describes the steps and process for responding to resident traffic safety concerns. This includes the use of Community Safety Zones, speed limit changes, and traffic calming measures. The policy sets out a step-by-step process to evaluate appropriate speed management measures specific to Lanark County. The policy also provides a list of traffic calming measures that could be used by the County.

Speed management “is the act of influencing drivers to adopt speeds the offer mobility without unduly compromising safety.” It includes a wide variety of techniques (including traffic calming) to maximize compliance with properly set speed limits. Used effectively, speed management can reduce incidences of motorists driving too fast for conditions.

Traffic calming is a set of measures used to “calm” traffic. The goal is to create safer streets for all users. This includes pedestrians, people who use mobility devices, cyclists, and motorists. Used effectively, traffic calming measures can reduce speeds, limit cut-through traffic, and discourage poor driving habits, such as distracted or aggressive driving.

A Traffic Calming Toolbox is a set of potential solutions that might be considered to address traffic concerns on a specific road. The Toolbox has been developed with local context in mind and provides guidance on the following:

• Appropriate traffic calming measures for use on County Roads;
• Locations and types of roads that qualify for traffic calming;
• Timing for requests for installation of a traffic calming measure.