Planning & Permits
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority reviews development proposals near rivers, streams, ponds, wetlands, floodplains, or the Georgian Bay shoreline to help protect people and property from natural hazards such as flooding, erosion, and unstable soils and bedrock.
Unrestricted development in areas with natural hazards may increase the risk of loss of life, personal injury, and property damage. Improperly placed fill or new development can aggravate existing natural hazards or create new ones.
Development can also affect neighbouring properties by changing the physical characteristics of the valley or floodplain, or the drainage to these properties.
Likewise, unrestricted development along Georgian Bay may be damaged by flooding due to high lake levels and severe wave action.
The Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24 enable NVCA to issue permits for certain works within a Regulated Area, which includes areas in or near rivers, streams, wetlands, valleylands, and the Georgian Bay Shoreline.
If you plan to develop near these areas, you may need a permit from the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.
Contact NVCA to see if your property is in our regulated area.
Learn about NVCA’s Permit Application Process
Check to see if you are in a regulated area by using NVCA’s Interactive Map.
If any part of your property is regulated, submit a general inquiry through NVCA’s Online Request Portal. We will review your proposal and contact you to discuss what the regulated areas mean and what information may be needed to support your application.
Once you have discussed your plans with NVCA, we will give you a list of supporting materials to submit with your application.
As a general rule, the more complete an application is upon submission, the quicker the review timeline can be. NVCA offers a pre-consultation service for those who wish to know what is required before formally submitting a permit application to ensure all requirements are outlined and expectations are clarified.
To avoid delays, please ensure all required information is included in your application.
Once a permit application is submitted, NVCA staff will conduct a risk- based review within 21 days to confirm that all required information has been received. If we have not received all the required information, NVCA will clarify the information required and ask you to supply the required information.
During the risk based review, NVCA staff will determine whether it requires a major or minor permit.
- Minor permits apply to applications that pose a low risk from natural hazards to people and property. These applications do not require technical information or supporting documents. Once an application is deemed complete, NVCA aims to issue a decision on minor permits within 30 days.
- Major permits apply to applications that pose a higher risk from natural hazards to people and property. These applications require technical information or supporting documents and go through a more detailed review process. Once an application is deemed complete, NVCA strives to issue a decision on major permits within 90 days.
After discussing your project with NVCA, and staff have determined a permit is required, we will request the following minimum information to start the application process:
- Address of the location of your project
- A brief description of the project
- Show existing and proposed works; property boundaries; street name(s); north arrow; and features of the site such as buildings and structures, tree lines, watercourses/ditches, culverts or any significant environmental features. Site Plans must also include measurements and dimensions with consistent units (meters or feet).
- Digital photographs
- Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) Development Permit (if applicable)
- Authorization Form (if applicant is not the owner)
If you have submitted a permit application, NVCA will invite you to access our Client Dashboard, where you will be able to see the status of your permit, permit type, typical permit timelines, and the file’s NVCA staff lead.
The Client Dashboard is a progress tracking tool that allows permit applicants to have continuous access to timely and relevant information for all of their permit applications. Applicants can track the completeness of their application and where they are in the application process at their convenience without contacting NVCA staff.
The cost of a permit varies depending on the type of project you’re doing and the risk to people and property. For more information, please refer to our Permit and Planning Fee Schedule.
Pre-consultations are $578. This fee will be deducted from the final permit application fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
NVCA is responsible for regulating activities in areas with natural hazards to avoid the loss of life and damage to property caused by flooding, erosion, and unstable soil and bedrock.
Property owners looking to develop near a river, stream, pond, wetland, or the Georgian Bay shoreline, may need a permit from NVCA before starting their project.
When planning for the development, property owners are encouraged to check if their property is regulated NVCA’s interactive map or by contacting NVCA staff.
NVCA’s Regulations team works with property owners to ensure developments meet legislation and NVCA guidelines. We will work together to ensure your project is safe from natural hazards such as flooding, erosion, and unstable soils and bedrock.
In rare cases where projects may not meet NVCA’s guidelines, NVCA may recommend a refusal of a permit. A hearing can be held before the NVCA Board of Directors to determine if the permit can be issued. Further direction on this process will be provided at the time of decision to recommend refusal.
Permits can be amended by obtaining a permit amendment through NVCA. Amendments can only be made once to an existing, valid permit. The amended permit is valid through the original permit approval date.
Please complete the Application for Permit Extension or Amendment form. Please ensure all information is filled out to the best of your ability.
If you are looking to amend an existing, valid permit, a fee of 50% of the original permit review fee is required. If an authorized agent is filling out the request, please ensure that the required agent authorization form is filled out and submitted.
Approval from NVCA does not replace building permits or any other permits required by municipalities or other agencies such as the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC). It is your responsibility as the property owner or authorized agent to determine any other relevant approval or permission. Below are some agencies you may need to contact do get the proper permits for your project.
- Your projects must comply with your local municipal bylaws and Official Plan. For more information, please contact your local municipality.
- If your property is located in the Niagara Escarpment jurisdiction, you must obtain proper approvals from the NEC prior to applying for a permit from the NVCA. Visit the NEC website for more information.
- For residents applying for permits along the Georgian Bay shoreline, you may also need permits from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Residents bordering Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (including beach) must apply for an Ontario Parks work permit through the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) before commencing shoreline works along provincial park beaches.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
Midhurst District (Zones 10, 11, 14, 15, 16)
Midhurst MNR Office: 705-725-7500
Owen Sound MNR Office: 519-376-3860
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)
Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)
Ontario Parks, Southwest Zone Office: 519-873-4001
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
867 Lakeshore Rd
Burlington ON L7S 1A1
Telephone: 1-855-852-8320
Email: FisheriesProtection@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
If you are applying for a permit on behalf of the property owner, complete the Landowner Authorization Form (included in the application package) and submit it with the completed application form and supporting information.
To process a solicitor realty property inquiry, we require the following:
Request Letter – Please state information required. This would include: Identifying any regulated features as defined by Ontario Regulation 41/24 (Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits), and other environmental designations search.
Record of any outstanding directives, orders or notices of any unresolved breach of the Conservation Authorities Act. Please include an email address on the letter as responses are sent by email.
- Property Survey in its entirety that clearly depicts the geographic location and extent of the property, with the property in question highlighted. In lieu of a survey, a Property Index Map (PIN) of Reference Plan with the property outlines, including the Property Assessment Roll Number is sufficient.
Payment of Fee – $220
You can submit this information in person or through email:
Submission by Mail or Courier
Mailing Address: 8195 8th Line Utopia, ON L0M 1T0 Please include all materials in package. Cheque(s) should be made payable to Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.Submission by E-mail
Email address: permits@nvca.on.caPlease include items 1 and 2. Payment can be made only once an NVCA file number has been provided. Do not send credit card information via email. Note: It takes 14 business days for staff to respond to complete requests. Requests are processed with on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If development occurs within a regulated area without the benefit of an NVCA permit or clearance letter, you will be in violation of the Conservation Authorities Act. A conviction under the Conservation Authorities Act can result in fines up to $50,000 or possible jail time for individuals. In addition to fines, the court may order the site be restored to its original condition.
Depending on the risk to people, and the features associated with your property, technical studies may be required to support your development proposal. These studies will be review by a team of engineers and ecologists to ensure your development will not be impacted by natural hazards.
Technical staff will review and comment on your submission and NVCA staff will send our comments to you and your agent (authorized representative). This process will continue until all concerns are resolved.
To avoid delays and ensure you all required information in your application package, NVCA staff recommend booking a pre-consultation with us.
If you are looking to amend an existing permit, a fee of 50% of the original permit review fee is required. If an authorized agent is filling out the request, please ensure that the required agent authorization form is filled out and submitted. NVCA permits one amendment to an existing permit.
Please fill out the Application for Permit Extension or Amendment form. Please ensure all information is filled out to the best of your ability.
Permits are generally extended 24 months at a time, with one final extension for 12 months for a total of 60 months (5 years).
Please note that 60 months is the maximum timeframe a permit can be valid for.
Permit extensions must be required by the same property owner as in the permit application.
There is no fee to extend a permit.
Contact NVCA’s Regulations Team
Contact NVCA’s Regulations team by phone, visit NVCA’s office or book an appointment through our Online Request Portal.
NVCA is committed to our Customer Service Charter, and will respond to voicemail and email inquiries within 2 business days.
Ask us a general question.
Submit your request online
If you’d like to know if your property is regulated, or what the permit application process is like, submit a General Inquiry on our Online Request Portal.
Please have the property address and your project concept ready.
Email or call us
Email: permits@nvca.on.ca
Phone: 705-424-1479 x 268
Visit us at NVCA’s Administration Office
Address: 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
Office hours
Visit NVCA’s office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m – 3 p.m. for walk-in inquiries. Please note we are closed between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. for lunch.
Mondays and Fridays are available by appointment only.
Book a pre-consultation appointment
For a smooth, efficient process and to keep your permit application on the right track, book a pre-consultation with NVCA’s Regulations team!
What you need for your pre-consultation
- Have your property address, concept, drawings and site plan ready
- Pre-consultations are $578. This fee will be deducted from the final permit application fee.
- Have your property address, concept, drawings and site plan ready
- Submit a Request for Pre-consultation or email us at permits@nvca.on.ca to book an appointment. NVCA will reach out to you to schedule a meeting at the earliest available date and time to discuss your project further.
What you receive at the pre-consultation
- Clarification about NVCA’s permitting process
- Whether additional review by our engineering and ecology staff is required
- A summary of your discussion
- A checklist of what to submit with the permit application
Who to Contact
Regulations Team 
705-424-1479 x 268
permits@nvca.on.ca
Planning & PermitsNot in the the Nottawasaga Watershed? Contact your local conservation authority here:
Grand River Conservation Authority
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority