Table of Contents
Land Use Permits for Docks, In-water Boathouses and Other Off-lot Structures
Types of Off-lot Structures that May be Permitted
The regulation will enable the Ministry to issue a LUP for both water structures (docks, swim rafts and boathouses) and land structures (such as utility transmission poles and driveways).
Water Structures
LUPs for water structures may include existing or new docks and swim rafts, as well as existing in-water boathouses or boat ports; requests for new or expansions to existing in-water boathouses or boat ports will not be approved. Other in-water structures (above or below the surface) including floating inflatable water toys (e.g., water trampolines) are not eligible for a LUP and are not permitted.
Land Structures
LUPs for land structures are limited to structures that are necessary to support the occupation and use of the cottage lot and that cannot be placed on the cottage lot. For example, a LUP can be issued for a utility pole or utility line that is owned by the cottager because they support the delivery of electricity or other services to the cottage lot. Similarly, a driveway connecting a public or forest access road to the cottage lot supports access to a cottage lot that is designated as “road access”.
A LUP cannot be obtained for ancillary structures that are not required to support the occupation of the lot such as tent platforms, gazebos, decks or saunas, nor will a LUP be issued to accommodate new or expanded cottages or sleep cabins or any other structures with kitchen, sleeping or washroom facilities.
A LUP may also be issued for a land structure that cannot be placed on-lot due to topography. For example, if a sewage system cannot be placed on the cottage lot because it would not be possible to achieve a minimum water setback of 15 m (as required by the Building Code), then the Ministry may issue a LUP to enable the sewage system to be located off-lot. Similarly, if a cottage lot is situated on a very steep bluff or cliff, and it is not possible or practical to pump water directly up the cliff, then a LUP could be issued to permit the placement of a water line and a small shelter for a pump off-lot where topography would allow for water to be pumped up to the cottage.