Permits

Yes, all work on, over or under the bed and waters of the Trent-Severn Waterway requires a permit from Parks Canada. This applies to new work as well as the repair, replacement, removal and relocation of existing structures.

Yes, all structures on, over or under the bed and waters of the Trent-Severn Waterway require a permit from Parks Canada. This includes seasonal or temporary structures.

The removal of submerged aquatic vegetation is permitted by Parks Canada. A permit application must be submitted and reviewed. Like other work over the lake or river bed, Parks Canada staff will complete a thorough review to determine if the activity can be permitted. The removal of emergent aquatic vegetation (e.g. cattail, bulrush, pickerel weed, pond lily, etc.) is not permitted.

Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Within this year, there may be periods of time during which the work cannot be completed due to fish spawning. These fish timing windows allow adults to spawn successfully in the aquatic environment without the undue stress from shoreline development and in-water work.

To learn more about fish spawning in your project area, please contact a permitting officer by email at on-tsw-vnts.permits-permis@pc.gc.ca.

If the proposed work and existing conditions remain the same, an extension may be issued. The application fee is required.

An extension can be obtained by contacting a permitting officer by email at on-tsw-vnts.permits-permis@pc.gc.ca.

An amendment to the permit can be requested. A new project plan including all details of the proposed work as well as the application fee is required.

An amendment can be made by contacting a permitting officer by email at on-tsw-vnts.permits-permis@pc.gc.ca.

Under the Species at Risk Act, the Parks Canada Agency is responsible for the protection and recovery of listed Species at Risk found in its federal administered places, including the National Historic Canals. Your application has to be reviewed to determine whether it is likely to result in effects to listed Species at Risk, any part of their critical habitat or the residences of their individuals in a manner which is prohibited under Sections 32, 33 and subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act.

The new owners are required to submit their own permit application. Since the work was permitted once, it is likely to be permitted again.

A complete permit application is required to determine if a dock (or other in-water or shoreline structure) can be placed over the bed fronting a property. When the new owner proposes to repair/replace/remove the structures, they may need to be altered or removed to meet Parks Canada’s Policies for In-water and Shoreline Works and Related Activities.

The bed of the Trent-Severn Waterway is administered by Parks Canada. A title search of your property would need to be completed to determine the extent of your ownership.

No in-water structures are “grandfathered” or exempt from adhering to Parks Canada’s Policies for In-water and Shoreline Works and Related Activities. In some cases, unauthorized or non-conforming structures may be permitted to be repaired. If a structure is removed, the new structure must meet Parks Canada’s Policies.

No, all work on, over or under the bed and waters of the Trent-Severn Waterway requires a permit from Parks Canada.

To apply for a permit, please use our online permit application.

Parks Canada staff are unable to recommend contractors.

An upland boathouse is considered to be located above the “high water mark”. A dry upland boathouse does not need a Parks Canada permit; however, in-water and shoreline structures associated with upland boathouses do require a permit. These include marine railways, shoreline stabilization and docks. An upland wetslip boathouse (where a wetslip is excavated into the private property) requires a Parks Canada permit for the creation of the wetslip as well as any portion of the boathouse that extends over the bed.

The time to receive a permit depends on many factors. These factors include volume of applications, complexity of the project and site, urgency of work, and the need for additional consultation with experts. Protecting the cultural and natural heritage of the Trent-Severn Waterway is a priority. It is advisable to apply several months prior to the anticipated start date.

Landowners are responsible for the removal of trees that fall from their private property into the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Documents such as deeds and registered plans can be obtained by contacting the Ontario Land Registry Office near your property. Many documents are available online.

The maximum length of a dock is 32 feet. In some cases, an extension may be granted due to site conditions.

Road access properties are permitted one dock. Water access only properties are permitted two docks.

Treated wood will not be allowed where it has contact with the water. Treated wood that meets provincial and federal guidelines will be allowed provided the wood is pre-treated and dry. Creosote preservative and wood treated with creosote will not be approved.

For information on applying for a sign or change to an existing one, please contact the Ontario Region Office of Boating Safety at 1-800-267-6687 or obs-ontario-bsn@tc.gc.ca. More on the Regulations can be found at the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations.

Logs and rocks constitute important fish habitat. In some case, with an approved permit, the structures can be relocated to an area of equal depth fronting the property.