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 more complete your application is, 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 30-90 days to review a complete application.
Check to see if you are in a regulated area by using NVCA’s Interactive Property Map tool.
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.
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