Although the Ministry (Ontario Parks) staff do not enforce the building code, cottagers are still required to follow the code for the construction and maintenance of cottage lot structures and sewage systems. Because most of Algonquin Provincial Park is in area of unorganized townships, the building code enforces sewage systems and structural building differently. Sewage systems are managed by the "applicable authority" as defined within the act. Thus most cottage lots in the park are under the authority of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. For cottages in Nightingale Township (including Rock Lake, the Madawaska River between Rock and Whitefish Lakes, the southern end of Whitefish Lake and Galeairy Lake) the applicable authority is the Township of Algonquin Highlands. Other than the building of an outhouse, the applicable sewage authority for your area must be contacted and a permit obtained for the building or repair of any sewage systems. Remember that a work permit from the Ministry is also required for all sewage systems including an outhouse. Please see the Sewage System Inspection fact sheet for more information.

For the construction or structural maintenance of cottage lot structures (e.g., cottages, sleep cabins, ancillary structures), there are no building inspectors responsible for conducting inspections under the building code for work within Algonquin and thus no "building permit" is required (a work permit from the Ministry is still required). Cottagers are, however, still required to follow the building code with respect to design and material requirements. Cottagers are encouraged to utilize the services of an architect, building designer and/or licensed carpenter to ensure that plans and materials will meet code. Ontario Parks may request that cottagers provide drawings prepared by a qualified individual when requesting a work permit to build new structures.