Please be advised that we are now accepting permit applications digitally.
Please carefully read below, our 4-step process for pre-consultation, submitting your application, making payment, and obtaining the proper signatures.
We are available to answer your questions through the Online Property Inquiry Form and by phone, at (705-745-5791).
What is Ontario Regulation 167/06?
Otonabee Conservation’s regulation under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act, is known as Ontario Regulation 167/06. The full title of the Regulation is Otonabee Region Conservation Authority: Regulation of Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses. The Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry approved Ontario Regulation 167/06 on May 4, 2006. The main objectives of Ontario Regulation 167/06 are to ensure public health and safety and the protection of life and property with respect to natural hazards.
What is Regulated?
Permission from Otonabee Conservation is required for proposed development in water-related hazard areas such as river or stream valleys (including lake shorelines), wetlands, or other hazardous lands. Specifically, regulated areas include:
- River or stream valleys
- Wetlands (including swamps, marshes, fens and bogs)
- Areas of interference with a wetland
- Floodplains
- Erosion hazards
- Unstable soils or bedrock
- Rivers, creeks, streams or watercourses
The approximate extent of the regulated area is identified by the Regulation Limit (also known as the Development Control Area). In our watershed, the Regulation Limit (Development Control Area) has been mapped in accordance with provincial guidelines. However, it is very important to realize the mapped limit is a tool and that the written description found in the Regulation itself dictates the extent of the regulated area. Please contact Otonabee Conservation directly to determine if your property is regulated.
What are Regulated Activities?
Regulated activities under the Ontario Regulation 167/06 include:
- Development
- Interference with wetlands or
- Alterations to river, creek, stream or watercourse channels
Development is defined very broadly and includes:
- The construction, reconstruction, erection or placing of building of any kind,
- Any change to a building or structure that would have the effect of altering the use or potential use of the building or structure,
- Any change to a building or structure that would increase its size or structure or would increase the number of dwelling units in the building or structure,
- Site grading, or
- The temporary or permanent placing, dumping or removal of any material, originating on the site or elsewhere.
Ponds, for the specific purpose for watering livestock, are not subject to Ontario Regulation 167/06 and do not require a permit.
Obtaining a Permit
STEP 1 | PRE-CONSULTATION
We strongly recommend pre-consultation with our staff to understand how your property may be affected by Ontario Regulation 167/06. If you think your property is regulated, please contact us directly so we can discuss your proposed project.
To initiate pre-consultation with us, and to help us direct your questions to the right staff member, please fill out our Property Inquiry Form.
STEP 2 | PERMIT APPLICATION (if required)
If your proposal is a regulated activity in a regulated area, a permit is required. Permit application forms are available to download.
When submitting a permit application, please fill out and sign the form provided in the Permit Application Package. Submit applications for development under Ontario Regulation 167/06, to permits@otonabeeconservation.com. Permits submitted to individual staff emails will not be accepted.
Please submit large-scale drawings and reports electronically. Hard copies may be requested and can be submitted via mail/courier. Otonabee Conservation staff will let you know if hard copy submission is required, after reviewing the application.
Please note that Otonabee Conservation has a drop box that is located outside the visitor entrance (near back parking lot). Hard copy application materials can be dropped off in the drop box, which is checked daily (Mon – Fri).
We will place your application in queue upon receiving a complete digital application, and will then wait to receive any required hardcopies by mail. For more information regarding what to submit with your application please see our Permit Application Package.
The following form can be completed and submitted online:
Property Inquiry Form – to initiate pre-consultation with us
The following forms are available in the Permit Application Package:
Landowner Authorization Form – to be submitted when an agent is acting on behalf of the landowner
Permit Application Form – a stand alone form (if you’re familiar with the process)
STEP 3 | PAYMENT
Payment can be made to Otonabee Conservation by credit card, over the phone or in person (VISA, MasterCard, American Express). Cheque payments can be received by mail or in person. While your permit application will not be reviewed until payment is received, we will get your application in queue for its complete application review.
STEP 4 | COMPLETE APPLICATION REVIEW
Similar to getting a Planning Act approval or a building permit, Otonabee Conservation will review your application for completeness. If your application is complete, you will receive an email from permitting staff that it is complete and has been placed in queue for review. If the application is not complete, you will receive an email detailing the missing information. Your application will be placed ‘on hold’ until the missing information is received.
Pre-consultation is key to understanding what is required for your complete application. Please also refer to and complete the checklist on page 1 of the Permit Application Package to make sure you are providing all of the required information. This will help speed up the review process for you.
STEP 5 | SIGNATURES
Once your permit is complete, we will email you a copy of the permit and ask you to either:
1) Sign and scan, or
2) Digitally sign the permit and return to Otonabee Conservation
Please see our our Watershed Planning & Regulation Policy Manual and our Permit Application Package for more information about the process we use to issue permits.
Key Timelines
Otonabee Conservation is committed to reviewing and making decisions on permits in a timely fashion. In alignment with provincial guidance, the majority of permit decisions were previously made in under 30 days for minor permits and under 90 days for intermediate/major permits. In order to better serve you, we are committing to the following improved customer service guidelines:
- Complete application review – minor permit: 14 days
- Complete application review – intermediate/major permit: 21 days
- Permit decision – minor permit: 21 days
- Permit decision – intermediate/major permit: 28 days (30 days for resubmissions)
Intermediate and major permit applications are those that are accompanied by report(s) that require technical review and/or do not conform to existing policy.
Minor permits are those that do not require full technical review and conform to existing policy.
Violations and Compliance with Approved Permits
All development, interference with a wetland or alteration to watercourse activities within a regulated area require permission from Otonabee Conservation. If permits are not obtained or if work is carried out that is not in keeping with the terms and/or conditions of the permit, the work is in violation of Ontario Regulation 167/06. Violations of the Act may be subject to a fine or imprisonment.
Otonabee Conservation is committed to working with landowners. Before any work is undertaken, all landowners are encouraged to contact us to obtain necessary approvals and are encourage to adhere to any conditions identified by Otonabee Conservation.
Other resources you may find informative, include:
Development, Interference and Alterations Regulations for all Conservation Authorities