Applications, Licences and Permits

The City of Dryden Building and Planning Department issues building permits. The department is also in charge of inspections related to building permit requirements.

Contact the Building and Planning department at 807-223-1140 to apply for permits or to arrange inspections.

Have a building related question? Email: Bob Cunningham, Chief Building Official, for help.

Most businesses require a City of Dryden Business Licence to operate. View the Business and Trade Licensing By-law to determine if your business requires a licence.

Still need help? For more information, contact the Community Development department at 807-223-2225 ext. 159 or complete and submit the Business Licensing Application Form.

The City of Dryden offers you the freedom to have the wedding of your dreams in the location of your choice.

Our marriage commissioner will perform your service at your home, cabin, or special venue-maybe the place that you met, or somewhere that has a history in your family.

Your wedding day should be special to you, and with a civil marriage service it can be a reflection of who you are as individuals, the interests that you share as a couple , and what is important  in the life you are planning  to have together.

Step 1

Please look through the Civil Marriage Information Package and start planning your special celebration!!

Step 2

Please give us a call to see if your date is available by contacting the Administration Department at 807-223-1147 or 807-223-1126. 

When you are ready to book your date you can:

Complete the Civil Marriage Booking Agreement Form

The form will be forwarded to our office for review and to re-confirm the availability of the date and commissioner availability that you have chosen.  If it is available we will then send you a link by email to complete the payment process online.

Or you can simply fill out the booking agreement form in the Package, sign and return, with payment, to City Hall 30 Van Horne Avenue, Dryden, ON  P8N 1A7.

Marriage Commissioner

Ms. Mardi-Lee Plomp is a retired teacher and former principal of 31 years.  She is an active volunteer in the community in a variety of capacities, all of which contribute and complement the necessary skills to perform civil marriage ceremonies. The City of Dryden Marriage Commissioner is a warm, welcoming, and professional person who will do their utmost to ensure the right ambiance at every wedding they conduct.

Sample Vows

Our Civil Marriage Commissioner will work with you to personalize your vows, ensuring that they express your love for each other, and the commitment that you are making to each other. The following is a selection of suggested vows to help you start thinking about the words you want to use on your special day. Sample Vows Option #1 Vows Option #2 Vows Simple Ceremony Love Letter Wine Box Sand Ceremony Candle Ceremony Blanket Ceremony Hand Fasting Fisherman's Knot The Power of Love Expanded Vows Optional Readings and Poems Please note that civil marriage services are non-denominational.

FAQs

1.   What documents are needed for a Civil Marriage Service? Before meeting with the Marriage Commissioner you should have completed and paid for your Ontario Marriage License (valid for three (3) months following its date of issue).  You should have also completed the Booking Agreement Form with staff at City Hall.  The Pre-Ceremony Information Questionnaire you will complete during the pre-ceremony meeting with the Marriage Commissioner.  (Form is included in the booking package) 2.   Who may officiate at our wedding? For a Civil Marriage, only the City's appointed Commissioner may perform the ceremony. 3.   What would it cost to be married at my home on the lake on Saturday? Example 1:   Location within City boundaries:   Marriage License issued in Dryden $ 140.00 (plus HST) Ceremony on a Saturday (within the boundaries of the city) $ 380.00 (plus HST) TOTAL     $569.40* Example 2:   Location outside the boundaries of the city)   Marriage License issued in Dryden  $ 140.00 (plus HST) Ceremony on a Saturday (within the boundaries of the city) $ 525.00 (plus HST) TOTAL     $733.25* *   Plus Commissioner incurred expenses, if applicable. 4.   Does the City offer "same day service" for a Ceremony? We will attempt to accommodate the couple, based on the availability of a Marriage Commissioner and location, i.e. availability of Council Chambers or alternate site. 5.   Where can we hold our wedding?   Our Marriage Commissioner will perform a ceremony anywhere within the jurisdiction of the City of Dryden, and its surrounding unincorporated area.  Ceremonies may also be held at City Hall in the Council Chambers, based on availability. 6.   Do we have to purchase our Ontario License in Dryden to be married in Dryden? No.  You may purchase an Ontario License anywhere in the Province of Ontario to be married anywhere in the Province of Ontario. 7.   Are witnesses required for a Civil Marriage Ceremony? Yes, all couples must have two (2) witnesses present during the ceremony, preferably over age 16. 8.   May we include readings from the Bible or have a Blessing at our ceremony? While the Marriage Commissioner may not perform any type of religious ceremony in keeping with the spirit of the Ontario Marriage Act which requires civil ceremonies to be "non-denominational", couples may wish to have someone other than the Commissioner provide a reading or a blessing. 9.   Will the Marriage Commissioner marry Same-sex Partners? Yes, there is a constitutional requirement in Ontario to issue marriage licenses to, and solemnize civil marriages of same-sex couples. 10.  Who registers our Civil Marriage? After the ceremony, all parties must sign the Record of Solemnization (to be retained by the couple) and the Statement of Marriage, both are included on the license.  The Marriage Commissioner will ensure all documentation is delivered to City Hall following the ceremony so it can be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay within two (2) business days to register your marriage with the Province of Ontario.

You must register your dog(s) with the City of Dryden each year. Whether registering your dog(s) for the first time or renewing your registration, your application must be completed before January 31.

You can also register an existing dog licence here.

Learn more about our Animal Services.

The City of Dryden provides as much information as possible to the public without requiring a formal request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Persons wishing to access records held by the City of Dryden should first contact the department which holds the records. If information is not available informally, a written request can be filed in accordance with the MFIPPA.

Please note that you must submit the required $5 application fee with your information requests. This fee is non-refundable. If paying by cheque, please make your cheque payable to the City of Dryden.

Other fees may apply to your information request, as outlined in the MFIPPA.

Interested in having a Bavarian garden on or in any City-owned facility or property?

Apply online: 

Complete the Bavarian Gardens/Liquor Permit Application form.

Your application will be shared with relevant departments for their review and approval. Please be advised that all rules and regulations under the Liquor Control Board (LCBO) and the Municipal Alcohol Policy must also be met. A paper copy of the Municipal Alcohol Policy will be enclosed with your permit approval.

For more information, please contact our Licensing Coordinator by email or by calling 807-223-1160.

Did you know it is illegal to conduct a lottery without a licence in Ontario? The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) administers the licensing program for lotteries in the province. Municipalities partner with the AGCO in issuing lottery licences to eligible charitable and religious organizations.

View the AGCO's Lottery Licensing Policy Manual for more information.

Why do I need a lottery licence?

The Criminal Code of Canada allows charitable and religious organizations to arrange different types of lotteries, if properly licensed. Lotteries include:

• Bingos
• Raffles
• Break open tickets
• Bazaars
• Social gaming events

Licensed charitable or religious organizations must conduct and manage their events in accordance with licensing policies and the terms and conditions of the licences. They must also meet all reporting requirements. Proceeds raised through lotteries are used for charitable objectives if there is a direct benefit to the residents of Ontario.

Does my organization qualify to apply for a lottery licence?

Organizations that qualify to hold a lottery event must meet the following criteria:

• Must offer public benefit to the residents of Ontario
• Must be in existence and have a history of providing services for at least one year
• Lottery proceeds must not be used as start-up funds for any organization
• Must be legally, organizationally and financially separate from other organizations
• Must be monitored
• Must fit into a charitable category (e.g., Relief of Poverty, Advancement of Religion, Advancement of Education, Charitable Purposes Beneficial to the Community)

For more information, please contact our Licensing Coordinator by email or by calling 807-223-1160.

Every marriage in Ontario requires a marriage licence before the actual ceremony takes place. Learn more about getting married in Ontario.

The City of Dryden issues marriage licences through our:

• Municipal Clerk;
• Deputy Clerk; or
• Cemetery and Licensing Coordinator.

These staff members can be found at City Hall (30 Van Horne Avenue), Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A marriage licence costs $140 and expires three months after the date of issue. A marriage licence issued by the City of Dryden is valid for use anywhere in Ontario.

You can complete the Marriage License application online through Service Ontario.  Complete, sign and bring to City Hall, 30 Van Horne Avenue for processing.  Each applicant must sign the form and at least one applicant attend City Hall with the appropriate documentation and identification for both applicants.

Please contacting the Administration Department at 807-223-1126 or 807-223-1147 for assistance.

Marriage certificates

After a marriage ceremony, the officiate who performs the ceremony will mail your completed marriage licence for registration to the Office of the Registrar General. Once the licence has been registered, you may apply for a marriage certificate through Service Ontario, payable by credit card only.

If you choose to mail your application or pay by cheque or money order, you can pick up a hard copy marriage certificate application at the office of the Municipal Clerk or at a Service Ontario Centre.

Organizations or individuals wishing to hold a parade or other moving activity on municipal streets must apply for a parade permit through the Administration Office. The cost for the permit is $16.80 per day (HST free). 

To apply for a permit please complete the Parade permit application form sign and return to City Hall along with the required fee. The application must be reviewed and approved by the Traffic Committee before a permit can be issued.

To learn more, please contact our Licensing Coordinator by email or by calling 807-223-1160.

The City of Dryden has several parking lots with various parking limits. Daily, weekly, monthly and annual permits are available. Spaces are available at the lots on King Street, Earl Avenue and Queen Street.

To apply for a parking permit, please complete the Parking Permit Application form or drop it off, in person, to City Hall (30 Van Horne Avenue).

For additional information and parking permit rates please call 807-223-1113.

The sign by-law specifies sign requirements, such as size and type for various zone locations, and minimum distances from property lines and street intersections.

Organizations or individuals wishing to have a street closed for a temporary period of time for a public function or event must complete a Temporary Street Closure Permit Application form, sign and return to City Hall along with the required fee. The application fee for this type of permit is $16.80 per day (HST free). 

Once the application has been reviewed by The Traffic Committee reviews and approves permit applications before a permit is issued.

Contact our Licensing Coordinator by email or by calling 807-223-1160 to learn more.