What is Ontario Regulation 41/24?
Crowe Valley Conservation has development regulation powers derived from Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24. The regulation ensures public health and safety and the protection of life and property with respect to natural hazards.
To find out if you need a permit, we strongly encourage pre-consultation with our Regulations Staff. To start the process please fill out our Inquiry Form or call us at 705-745-5791, extension 230, to be directed to a Regulations Officer.
If you do need a permit, it can all be done digitally on this website. Certain activities do not require a permit. These exceptions are listed in Ontario Regulation 41/24.
Prior to beginning filling out the online application, if you are acting on behalf of someone as their agent, you must have the owner of the property fill out the Landowner Authorization Form. This form is included in the application package.
Step 1. Pre-consultation
Pre-consultation is necessary with our staff to understand how your property may be affected by Ontario Regulation 41/24. Please contact us to discuss your proposed project as your first step. Certain activities do not require a permit.
Use our Inquiry Form to submit questions or call us at 613-472-3137 to speak to someone who will direct you to the appropriate staff member.
Step 2. Permit Application (if required)
A permit is required if your proposal is a development activity that is taking place in a regulated area.
Permit Application Forms can be completed and submitted by completing the application package.
Permit Application Package
Complete and Email your application. You will be required to attach electronic copies of drawings and documents along with the application. Please review how to prepare your site plan and cross section drawings which are required.
NOTE:
We may request hard copies of large-scale drawings which you can submit in person or via mail/courier.
Step 3. Payment
Once your application has been emailed, you will be contacted with a fee confirmation, and an option for making payment over the phone by credit card or in person or via EFT.
Cheque payments can be received by mail or in person.
APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED
Step 4: Complete Application Review
Crowe Valley Conservation will review your application to see if it is complete. Once deemed complete, you will receive an email from staff that it is in queue for processing.
If it’s not complete, you will receive an email detailing what needs to be submitted. Your application will be put ‘on hold’ until we receive the missing information. Please note that there are certain requirements you MUST submit with your application.
NOTE: Pre-consultation is key to understanding what is required for your complete application. Refer to the requirements below. It will help to make sure you are providing all the required information and will help speed up the review process.
Mandatory minimum requirements for all applications:
- Completed and signed Permit Application Form
- Completed and signed Landowner Authorization Form (if applicable)
- 1 digital pdf copy of the site plan and construction plans/details/drawings including dimensions to be submitted with the application (Review Preparing Your Site Plan and Cross Section)
- Summary statement describing the proposed use of any buildings and structures and the methods to be used if carrying out an activity to straighten, change, divert or interfere with a regulated feature
- Drainage details along with existing and proposed elevation details
- Start and completion dates
- a complete description of any type of fill proposed to be placed or dumped
- Full payment by credit card (can be processed over the phone), cheque, or EFT.
- Any additional documentation requested by Crowe Valley Conservation during pre-consultation
Notice of Collection
Pursuant to the municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the personal information contained on this form is collected under the Authority of the Conservation Authorities Act. R.S. O. 1990, Chapter C. 24, and O Regulation 41/24 – Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits. This information is used to access applications and, where approved, issue permits. Information on this form will be disclosed to government and municipal agencies for review and comments and may be disclosed to members of the public through the Freedom of Information process.
Step 5. Signatures
Once your permit is complete, we will email you a draft copy of the permit and ask you to initial, date, and sign it and return it back to Crowe Valley Conservation. We will then add authorizing signatures and email you the final copy of the permit.
Please fill out our Inquiry Form to request a digital copy of our Policies and Procedures for more information about the process we use to issue permits and your ability to request hearings, appeals and administrative review.
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Key Timelines
We process all permits in a timely fashion. In alignment with provincial guidance and to better serve you, we are committed to these timelines:
- Complete application review – 21 days
- Permit decision – minor permit: 21 days
- Permit decision – intermediate/major permit: 28 days (30 days for resubmissions)
Minor permits are those that do not require full technical review and conform to existing policy.
Major permit applications are accompanied by report(s) that require technical review and are highly complex and may be a significant departure from existing policy.
Violations and compliance with approved Permits
Crowe Valley permits are required for all development, interference with a wetland, or alteration to watercourse activities within a regulated area.
If permits are not obtained, or if work is done that is not in keeping with the terms and/or conditions of the permit, the work is in violation of the Conservation Authorities Act or Ontario Regulation 41/24.
Violations of the Act may be subject to a fine or imprisonment.
Crowe Valley Conservation is committed to working with landowners. Contact us using our Inquiry Form before any work is undertaken to obtain necessary approvals and adhere to any conditions identified.
What types of hazards are regulated?
Permission from Crowe Valley Conservation is required for development in water-related hazard areas.
Specifically, regulated areas include:
- Rivers or stream valleys
- Wetlands (including swamps, marshes, fens, and bogs)
- Areas of interference with a wetland (30 metre setback from verified wetland boundary)
- Floodplains
- Erosion hazards
- Unstable soils or bedrock
- Rivers, creeks, streams, or watercourses
Regulated areas are mapped according to provincial guidelines. These mapped limits and written descriptions found in the Regulation itself dictate the extent of the regulated area. Please contact Crowe Valley Conservation using the Online Property & Development Inquiry Form to determine if your property is regulated.
What are regulated activities?
Regulated activities under the Ontario Regulation 41/24 include:
- Development
- Interference with wetlands
- Alterations to rivers, creeks, streams, or watercourse channels
Development is defined very broadly and includes:
- The construction, reconstruction, erection, or placing of building or structure of any kind
- Any change to a structure that would alter the use or potential use of the building or structure
- Any change to a structure that would increase its size or number of dwelling units
- Site grading
- The temporary or permanent placing, dumping, or removal of any material, originating on the site or elsewhere
Certain activities do not require a permit. These exceptions are listed in Ontario Regulation 41/24.