Doing outdoor renovations?
Get a free curb box inspection from the City before you begin
Are you planning to renovate your front yard this spring? What about repaving your driveway? Don’t forget about the curb box – also known as a water service valve!
A curb box is a round metal plate, approximately 10 centimetres in diameter, and is located on your front lawn, driveway or sidewalk. It’s owned and operated by the City of Vaughan and controls the water running to a home or building from the City’s watermain – in addition to the water service valve you have inside your home.
What you need to know before any work begins
The City does not re-locate curb boxes. If a curb box must be moved due to a renovation or rebuild, a new water service connection is needed. An application can be made online for a residential service connection request. If a curb box requires repair or needs to be lowered, please submit a request online through Service Vaughan.
The curb box on or adjacent to your property should be accessible at all times. If you are paving, resurfacing, excavating or landscaping your driveway or front lawn, never tamper with or cover a curb box. To arrange a free curb box inspection, contact the City a minimum of two weeks before you start any work. Submit a request online through Service Vaughan, call 905-832-2281 or email service@vaughan.ca.
Taking these steps helps ensure the curb box remains operational and undamaged and potentially avoids additional costs associated with repairs.
Water shut off and turn on requests
Property owners can request to turn the City’s water supply on or off to complete repairs or renovate a home or building. Submit a non-emergency request four to six weeks before the shut off or turn on is required.
Keep in mind, private contractors are prohibited from operating curb boxes under the Water By-law 106-2022 (PDF). If a box is damaged due to outside contractors, the City will repair it and back-charge the homeowner.
If you have an emergency leak or a burst pipe from a City watermain, call Service Vaughan immediately at 905-832-2281.
To learn more about curb boxes, visit the City’s Water Shut Off and Turn On webpage. For more information on the City's water services, visit vaughan.ca/water.
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