Do I need a permit?
There are two things to consider
1. If your work is in an NVCA regulated area
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.
2. The type of project you are doing
Examples of projects that require an NVCA permit:
- Construction of a dwelling or addition
- Reconstruction of a dwelling
- Construction of any other structure or structural element such as a shorewall, inground pool, retaining wall, septic tanks (new or replacement), foundation works, concrete pads, or driveway
- Placing or constructing a detached accessory structure such as a barn, garage, shed or pool house
- Changes to a building or structure that alters the use, increases the size or occupancy such as: enclosing a carport to create a garage or adding an “in-law” suite
- Site alteration and grading
- Temporary or permanent removal or importation of materials such as fill, gravel, soils. This applies even if the material originated on site
Examples of projects that will no longer require a permit. Expand the arrows below to learn more:
- is not within a wetland or watercourse,
- is incidental or subordinate to the principal building or structure
- is 15 square metres or less, and
- is not placed within a watercourse or wetland, and
- is 15 square metres or less
- does not utilize any method of cantilevering
- is 10 square metres or less
- does not require permanent support structures, and
- can be removed in the event of flooding
- are not within a wetland or watercourse
- are not within 30 metres of a wetland or within 15 metres of a watercourse, and
- have an outlet of water that is not directed or connected to a watercourse, wetland or river or stream valley
- is not connected to or within a watercourse or wetland, and
- excavated material is not deposited within an area that is regulated by the NVCA.
- are not within a watercourse, and
- do not have any outlets of water that is directed or connected to a watercourse, wetland or river or stream valley
- is outside of a wetland or the maintenance or repair of a public road
- the driveway or road is not extended or widened, and
- the elevation, bedding materials and existing culverts are not altered
- with no basement
- the reconstruction does not exceed the existing footprint of the garage, and
- does not allow for a change in the potential use of the garage to create a habitable space.
- in accordance with the Drainage Act and the Conservation Authorities Act Protocol (DART)
More questions?
You can contact NVCA’s Planning & Permits 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.
Ways to Contact NVCA
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.
- Email 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
For additional information, please see our frequently asked questions about our permit process.
Not in the the Nottawasaga Watershed? Contact your local conservation authority
Who to Contact
Planning Team 
705-424-1479 x 268
planning@nvca.on.ca
Planning & Permits