Planning & Permits
If your property is on or near a watercourse, river, stream, pond, wetland, steep slope, floodplain or the Georgian Bay shoreline, you may need a permit from NVCA before you start your work.
We are happy to work with you to see if your property is in our regulated area, and how this affects your project.
NVCA has the responsibility to regulate activities in natural and hazardous areas in order to avoid the loss of life and damage to property due to flooding and erosion, and conserve and enhance natural resources.
As a general rule, the earlier you submit the supporting documents for your application, the quicker we can process on your application.
To avoid delays, please ensure all required information is included in your application.
We will review your application within 21 days, and let you know if your application is complete, or if there is missing information.
Every project is unique and the time and review process for your application can vary depending on your plans and property. In all cases, we strive to meet the provincial standards for conservation authority permit reviews.
It typically takes 90 days to review a complete application.
Starting on April 1, 2024, NVCA will follow a new regulation under the Conservation Authorities Act to review permit applications.
Under the new regulation, the regulated area around wetlands will be 30 m, including provincially significant wetlands. This change will be reflected in NVCA’s regulated mapping shortly. In the interim, NVCA will follow the text in the regulation.
Please contact the Planning team for more information.
If any part of your property is regulated, submit an online property inquiry form to tell us a bit about your plans. We will review your property and your proposed plan, and may also ask you to submit additional information. We may also request an appointment with you to discuss your plans, by phone or in-person.
The cost of a permit varies depending on the type of project you’re doing and how complicated it is. For more information, check out our Permit Fees page.
You can also find these fees summarized in our Permit and Planning Fee Schedule.
More questions?
You can contact NVCA’s Planning & Regulations team by email, phone or visit NVCA’s office.
If you know the details of the development you are proposing, we recommend scheduling a pre-consultation to ensure your permit application process is smooth, efficient and on the right track.
Responses are processed in the order in which they are received.
Please note response times are dependent on the complexity of the inquiry, the unique characteristics of the property, and the number of inquiries received.
Contact NVCA’s Planning Team
Residents can contact NVCA’s planning team by phone, visit NVCA’s office or book a pre-consultation.
NVCA is committed to our Customer Service Charter, and will respond to voicemail and email inquiries within 2 business days.
E-Permitting Platform
Submit a General Inquiry on our e-permitting platform to tell us a bit about your project.
Be ready to provide the address of the property and some details of your project.
Email permits@nvca.on.ca to inquire about your property or permit.
Please provide the address of the property and some details of your project.
If the email was sent to your spam/junk folder please mark it as not junk so that future emails get delivered to your inbox.
Phone
Call 705-424-1479 x 268 to inquire about your property or permit.
Please have the address of the property and the concept of your project ready.
Visit NVCA’s office
Property owners who have a concept or idea about their project and would like to know how to permitting process works are welcome to visit NVCA’s office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Our planning staff have blocked off time to answer all your questions about the NVCA permit process.
Address
8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
Office hours
Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
We are closed for lunch between 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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 a Planner!
What you need for your pre-consultation
- Have your property address, concept, drawings and site plan ready
- Pre-consultations are $561. This fee will be deducted from the final permit application fee.
- Complete the Request for Pre-Consultation Form or email us at permits@nvca.on.ca to book an appointment. NVCA will reach out to you to set up a meeting at the earliest available time/date and discuss your project further.
- 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
Not in the the Nottawasaga Watershed? Contact your local conservation authority here:
Grand River Conservation Authority
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
Stewardship Services