Kawartha Lakes launches online public access portal

Kawartha Lakes has launched a new online public access portal where residents will eventually be able to conveniently complete a wide range of forms.

Fire services applications are the first municipal services to be moved online, an initiative in alignment with the municipality’s strategic master plan.

According to a post on the municipality’s website, having the applications “located all in one place will improve the customer experience for our residents, help us to streamline application processes and make the back end process much more efficient for staff.”

More municipal forms and applications will be transitioned to the portal over time.

The portal, which launched Wednesday, May 1, currently only offers access to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Services’ burn and fireworks permits, as well as applications for fire incidents and property file searches.

To use the online portal, residents just need to create an account. An email address will be required for registration. For those who need assistance creating a portal account, a kiosk has been set up at the Lindsay municipal service centre at 26 Francis St. Customer service staff will be available to assist.

Once an application is submitted, an email notification will be sent, identifying it is awaiting approval. Fire Services will review the application and, if approved, an email asking you to log into the portal to make payment will be sent.

Payments are made using PayPal. Those without or not wishing to have an account can check out as a guest with a Visa debit or credit card payment. Special permits may require a site visit and a minimum of seven days to process.

For those unable to create an online account, regular burn permits are available in person at municipal service centres. Special burn permits and other types of fire service applications are only available by sending an email to burnpermits@kawarthalakes.ca.

Propane RSMP inspection requests and fire inspection requests are only available at the KLFRS headquarters station at 9 Cambridge St. N. in Lindsay. Fire services is unable to accept payments; only municipal service centres.

Visit subscribe.kawarthalakes.ca to be notified when new municipal applications have been added to the portal.

METROLAND FILE PHOTO Applying for burn and firework permits is the first service to be made available via Kawartha Lakes' recently launched online public access portal. Additional services will be added over time.