Important Regulation Updates
Please Note: On February 16, 2024, the Province of Ontario approved O. Reg. 41/24: Regulation of Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits, under the Conservation Authorities Act. This regulation replaces O. Reg. 168/06: Development, Interference with Wetlands & Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses, effective April 1, 2024. The enactment of O. Reg. 41/24 will also coincide with the proclamation of associated sections within the Conservation Authorities Act.
Plan Review & Permitting Process
If you would like to speak to GRCA Planning Staff before submitting your permit application, GRCA recommends to first go through the GRCA Inquiry / Pre-Consultation process.
Please ensure the following is submitted with your completed permit application:
- Appropriate fee as per the GRCA Fee Schedule
- Final drawings including a site plan. Please ensure that these drawings match exactly the plans to be provided to the Municipality for Building Permit purposes.
Contact GRCA Staff
Please contact GRCA staff by phone or e-mail with questions you may have, from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Complete Application Checklist
GRCA may require the issuance of a permit for projects in the Ganaraska Region in the vicinity of a:
- Watercourse
- Floodplain
- Valley slope
- Wetland
- Shoreline of Lake Ontario
- Shoreline of Rice Lake
- Hazardous lands
Please see GRCA Mapping Tool for information on our Regulated Areas.
You may require a permit from the GRCA if you plan on doing any of the following work within the regulated area within the Authority’s jurisdiction:
- Construction, reconstruction, erection or placing of a building or structure of any kind;
- Changes that alter the use, or potential use, of a building or structure (i.e., commercial use to residential use, conversion of a garage to a habitable space)
- Increasing the size of a building or structure, or increasing the number of dwelling units in the building or structure (i.e. new apartment unit including basement apartments)
- Site grading
- Temporary or permanent placing, dumping or removal of any material (including, but not limited to fill, dirt, stone) originating on the site or elsewhere
- Straightening, changing, diverting or interfering with the existing channel of a river, creek, stream, or watercourse
- Changing or interfering with a wetland (including, but not limited to, fill in a wetland, dredging and grading)
The GRCA reviews permit applications to ensure consistency with GRCA Policies & Guidelines, including Policies for the Implementation of Ontario Regulation 168/06, found under the Policies & Guidelines on this page.
- Policies & Guidelines for the Administration & Implementation of the Conservation Authorities Act & Ontario Regulation 41/24
- Ontario Regulation 41/24
- GRCA Lake Ontario Shoreline Management Plan Hazard Maps
- Lake Ontario Shoreline Management Plan
- Erosion & Sediment Control Guideline
- Erosion & Sediment Control Inspection Guide
- Technical & Engineering Guidelines for Stormwater Management Submissions
- Hydrogeological Assessment
- Rural & Agricultural Guide to Permits
- Low Impact Development Guide
- Fisheries & Oceans Canada Standards & Codes of Practice
- Provincial Planning Statement, 2024
- PRESENTATION: Legislative Updates to the Conservation Authorities Act & How Your Municipality My Be Impacted (June 20, 2024)
- MNRF (2002 as amended). River and Stream Systems: Flooding Hazard Limit Technical Guide
- MNRF (2002). River and Stream Systems: Erosion Hazard Limit Technical Guide
- MNRF (2001). Understanding Natural Hazards
- MNRF (1996). Hazardous Sites Technical Guide
- MNRF (1997). Wave Uprush and Overtopping: Methodologies and Applications (Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Systems)
- MNRF (2022). Ontario Wetland Evaluation System: Southern Manual
Administration Office
2216 County Road 28
Port Hope, ON L1A 3V8
T: 905.885.8173
F: 905.885.9824
Ganaraska Forest Centre
10585 Cold Springs Camp Road
Campbellcroft, ON L0A 1B0
T: 905.885.8173
F: 905.797.2545