Barrie City Hall

You can go ice skating in the winter, it is so much fun. Last year because of COVID the skating area was closed for half of winter so we couldn't go ice skating for a long time. This year I am hoping to go ice skating more often then I did last year.

Andrea's Chocolate's and Cakes is highly recommended. Great European chocolates, bonbons, chocolate bombs and fudge.

In regards to the building department, we moved into a new build with an existing builders deck. Applied for a permit mid March and followed their homeowners guide on obtaining a permit for a deck. To date it’s been returned back and forth over 5 times stating the most minimal details were done incorrectly (for example one line was not drawn properly and that got returned). Each time we resubmit the application there is always something done incorrectly in the most minuscule way possible. I am not being dramatic by this either - the permits department could easily just correct what we have done wrong and sent it back and let us know that this is the way it should be. I am not a professional engineer and the way they are acting is extremely disrespectful. When I tell you it is close to impossible to get a building permit I am sincerely not lying. I have consulted with contractors, engineers, neighbours, and every resource I exhausted let me know that this is not typical and Barrie is the most strict and disrespectful place to get a permit from. It has caused so many headaches in our family and I really feel hopeless about this house getting a deck. The deck is extremely ordinary and we did all the drawings almost identical to the guide that was on the permit website. Nothing is good enough and I am up to my wits end with this department. I cannot believe how ridiculous this is and most of my neighbours have given up trying to get a deck for their house. They never call you back, you have to wait 4-5 business days for any sort of reply (which you can automatically assume is rejected for the most ridiculous reasons). If you are reading this DO NOT MOVE TO BARRIE IF YOU PLAN ON DOING ANY RENOVATIONS OR HAVE TO SPEAK TO ANYBODY AT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. During COVID we are literally stuck in our homes, can’t go anywhere and we can’t even build our own deck.

Lovely place to hang out. There is a small farmer market on Saturday. Downtown Barrie is lovely, too bad there isn't much of a crowd. It is probably because of covid.

Barrie Farmers market at city hall is fantastic. Great food vendors, set up and location is perfect. Lots of foot traffic. Quality of products is top notch. Worth the Saturday morning visit to get a chance to support local.

Needed a tax receipt, went in and one person in line in front of me, processed my payment and received my recepit. Quick and easy service. Vanessa was fantastic.

Best city!

So had to renew a business license and had to have it affirmed. Show up at city hall only to be met by a long lineup and only 2 people assisting. Once I got to the front the staff was helpful but why is my time not important enough to get speedy service. I get a call 2 days later only to be told the patio is a separate license. How does barrie justify over 500 for a business license?

I am shocked and disgusted after hearing about the new laws Barrie has implemented around donations and charity for the homeless. Barrie should be looking at the successes of Housing First approach instead of kicking people while they are down. Maybe that should be the next bylaw, no one is allowed to walk past a homeless person without kicking them? Good job Barrie!

The staff are amazing! They are very helpful and kind.