The Community Development department manages the City of Cambridge's public infrastructure, development and policy planning, and building enforcement. There are four divisions within this department that provide these services.

For emergencies and after-hours inquires, contact our 24/7 line at (519) 621-0740.

Engineering Division

The Engineering Division designs and manages:

  • Capital projects
  • Construction or reconstruction of roads, sidewalks, sewers and watermains
  • Survey and inspection activities for department and corporate needs
  • Project management and engineering services for City-owned industrial land development
  • Transportation engineering to promote safe and efficient movement of people and goods
  • Parking lot operations and enforcement
  • The Supervised School Crossing Program
  • Street lighting

City staff, in conjunction with the Region of Waterloo; the Cities of Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo; and the Townships of Woolwich, Wilmot, and North Dumfries; contribute to the development of a set of consolidated constructions standards referred to as the Design Guidelines and Supplemental Specifications for Municipal Services (DGSSMS).

The Engineering Division also maintains the Engineering Standards and Development Manual which outlines more specific City specific design requirements for construction projects that are not included in the DGSSMS noted above. (Please contact staff for the most up to date standard drawings by emailing engineering@cambridge.ca)

Both of these standards documents should be referenced prior to, or during, any construction project in the City to minimize delays.
Infrastructure Services 

Infrastructure Services operates and maintains the City's existing infrastructure. The Division's core services include:
Planning Division

The Planning Division consists of Development and Policy Planning sections which manage:

Planning Division staff members also join Special Advisory Committees dealing with growth and development, heritage issues, environment and core areas revitalization. The Division reviews planning and development matters and makes recommendations to City Council on these issues.

 

2024 Planning Application Fees
Building Division

The Building Division manages building permit applications for the City and ensures building plans meet the rules and regulations of:

  • The Ontario Building Code
  • City by-laws
  • City Engineering Standards (within private property)
  • Design Guidelines and Supplemental Specification for Municipal Services (within private property).

Use our online permit system to:

  • Apply for new building and mobile signs permits
  • Process permit payments
  • Search existing permits