Table of Contents
Legislation and Authorizations Related to Algonquin Cottage Lots
Obtaining an Authorization
Travel authorization:
To obtain a travel authorization, contact Jane Winters at jane.winters@ontario.ca. When you are applying, provide the following information:
Lease number and name of leaseholder
Name of vehicle owner
License plate number
Description of vehicle (make/model/colour)
Address to mail the authorization to.
If you need to travel on roads normally closed to the public, also indicate which roads you need to travel on in order to access your cottage lot. Please provide ample lead time for the authorization. Requests less than a week from required date may not be processed on time. As the authorization is good for the calendar year, you can apply during the winter.
Authorization to cut a hazard tree:
The Ministry may issue an authorization under section 2(2)(b) of Ontario Regulation 347/07 in order for a cottager to cut down a tree or other vegetation that is threatening a structure or is a hazard to personal safety on the cottage lot. To obtain the permit, email the cottage lot program at algonquin.cottages@ontario.ca and fully outline the concern and the location of the tree or trees. A staff member will likely come to the cottage lot to evaluate the tree or trees and ensure that they need to be cut. It is best to flag the trees in some way so that staff can evaluate them in case you are not there when they visit. If the Ministry agrees that the tree should be cut, then you will receive an authorization by email and/or regular mail.
Excavation:
If you need to make an excavation on your cottage lot (any digging activities beyond very shallow soil disturbance such as pulling of non-native plant species, planting of native species, etc.), you will require an authorization under section 2(2)(e) of Ontario Regulation 347/07. If the excavation is being done as part of a larger project that requires a work permit (e.g., footings for a new structure) then indicate in the application for the work permit that you will be needing to excavate. If the excavation would not otherwise require a work permit, send an email to algonquin.cottages@ontario.ca and explain the project and why you need to make the excavation (relocating an outhouse for example). A Ministry staff person may visit your lot to evaluate the request and ensure that work is being done within the cottage lot boundary and is necessary. Be sure to provide sufficient information that the staff member could evaluate the work in your absence, or indicate dates that you could be available for a site visit.
Depending on the extent of excavation that you are wanting to do, the Ministry may require addition archaeological investigations to ensure that archaeological resources will not be impacted.
Work permit:
A work permit is required in order to construct, expand or place any building, structure or thing; construct a trail or road, clear land, dredge or fill shore lands. To apply for a work permit see the Applying for a Work Permit factsheet. Ministry staff will contact you for additional information and will likely arrange a time for a site visit.
Be aware that any activities related to work permits are regulated by the terms, limits and conditions related to cottage lot structures as found in the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan (as amended), and specifically Appendix A. Depending on the nature and extent of the work requested, review times can be significant. Please be sure to approach the Ministry well in advance of when you would like to initiate the work. Applying during the winter months is a good time to initiate the application.
Applications for work related to a new or replacement sewage systems may also need approval under the applicable sewage authority (please see the Sewage System Inspection fact sheet in the toolkit for more information). The Ministry will not approve a work permit for sewage system work until any required permits from the sewage authority is approved.