Traffic Interruptions or Road Closures

Traffic Interruptions or Road Closures

If your special event or project requires an interruption to traffic, you will need to get the proper permits in place.

How do I know if I need a permit?

You will need a permit if your event is within the City’s road allowance. This includes anything between two property lines including ditches, sidewalks, boulevards, curbs and road lanes.

Even if the event is off the road, but within City owned lands (for example, on the sidewalk) a permit is still required.

Road Allowance

How do I know which type of permit I need?

There are two types of permits that you may require depending on your circumstances:

  • Road Closure Permit or
  • Road Occupancy Permit.

You will also need to complete a traffic control plan.

Types of Permits

Type of Permit

When you will need the permit

Traffic control plan required?

Road Closure Permit

If you need to close down a street.

For example:

  • hosting a festival on a street.
  • Yes

Road Occupancy Permit

If you need to partially close a street, sidewalk or part of the road allowance.

For example:

  • a film crew requiring on street parking
  • a contractor needing to close a lane of traffic to access a manhole
  • placing additional tents, dumpsters within the road allowance
  • parking a work trailer
  • Yes

Road Closure Permits

  • A Road Closure Permits costs $113.
  • It takes approximately four weeks to complete.

Apply for a Road Closure Permit

  • Complete a Road Closure Permit (PDF, 248 KB)
  • Include a copy of your traffic control plan
  • Provide proof of insurance: The City of Greater Sudbury requires proof of 5 million dollars liability with the City of Greater Sudbury named on the policy.
  • Provide a Notification Letter: This includes the company or application name and contact information, location of closure, purpose of closure, timeline and any other pertinent information. The Notification Letter should be submitted to the City of Greater Sudbury as well as any residents and businesses in the area.
  • Include the permit fee (cash, credit, debit or cheque made out to the City of Greater Sudbury)

Submit it to Technical Services for review:

Email: permits@greatersudbury.ca

In person:

            Tom Davies Square
            200 Brady Street, 3rd Floor
            Sudbury, ON
            P3A 5P3

Road Occupancy Permits

  • A Road Occupancy Permit costs $55 per day.
  • A minimum of 5 business days are required for processing.

Apply for a Road Occupancy Permit

  • Complete a Road Occupancy Permit (PDF, 249 KB)
  • Include the permit fee (cash, credit, debit or cheque made out to the City of Greater Sudbury)
  • Include a copy of your traffic control plan
  • Provide proof of insurance: The City of Greater Sudbury requires proof of 5 million dollars liability with the City of Greater Sudbury named on the policy.

Submit your application to Technical Services for review:

Email: permits@greatersudbury.ca          

In person:

            Tom Davies Square
            200 Brady Street, 3rd Floor
            Sudbury, ON
            P3A 5P3

Traffic Control Plans

Anytime you are diverting vehicle or pedestrian traffic you will need to create a traffic control plan.

  • Traffic management plans need to be drafted based on the Ontario Traffic Manual’s Book 7 (Temporary Conditions).
  • The City does not provide assistance for the creation of traffic control plans. If you are unable to make your own traffic plan, you should hire a third party to create a plan.
  • Pedestrian and vehicle traffic must be addressed on the traffic control plan.
  • See a Sample Road Closure Plan. (PDF, 386 KB)

When Your Permit is Approved

  • You are required to obtain your own traffic control equipment such as (signage, barricades, cones, and more).
  • If a road closure has been permitted, signs advising the public of the road closure must be posted a minimum of 7 business days prior to the closure.
  • Three weeks notice is required for any request to modify municipal infrastructure. This would include signs, street lights or anything else within the road allowance. If permitted, any costs incurred would be the responsibility of the applicant.