| What does SVCA consider to be Development Activity? |
Development is defined as:
- the construction, reconstruction, erection or placing of a building or structure of any kind,
- any change to a building or structure that would have the effect of altering the use or potential use of the building or structure, increasing the size of the building or structure or increasing the number of dwelling units in the building or structure,
- site grading, or,
- the temporary or permanent placing, dumping or removal of any material, originating on the site or elsewhere.
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| What does SVCA consider to be Alteration? |
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Alteration is defined as the straightening, diverting or interference in any way with the existing channel of a river, creek, stream, shoreline, or watercourse.
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| What does SVCA consider to be Interference? |
Interference is:
- the changing or interfering in any way with a wetland within the wetland, or certain works within the area of interference adjacent to the wetland.
- For local wetlands the area of interference is 30m adjacent to the wetland.
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| When do I require an SVCA permit? |
- An SVCA permit is required when works are proposed in or near a Hazardous Land (floodplains, erosion prone lands, unstable soils), watercourse (including inland lakes), wetland, valley, steep slope, or the Lake Huron Shoreline.
- Permission from the SVCA is required prior to that development or alteration beginning, as defined by Ontario Regulation 41/24 and the Conservation Authorities Act. To find out if your proposal is located within the approximate SVCA Screening or Regulated Area utilize our online mapping tool.
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| What is the difference between Screening and Regulated Areas? |
To view the approximate SVCA Screening or Regulated Area utilize our online mapping tool.
| SVCA Regulated Area (yellow shaded areas) |
- Indicated on the online mapping tool is a compilation of various information sources.
- Floodplain mapping and shoreline hazard mapping were previously prepared for the SVCA by engineering consultants in select areas.
- SVCA applied the approximate regulated area, and offsets, to areas where such mapping is available.
- Slope and erosion hazards, and their associated offsets, were determined by the SVCA using the detailed topographical data contained in the shoreline or floodplain mapping.
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| SVCA Screening Area (tan shaded areas) |
- Represents the SVCA’s hazard land mapping plus 30 metres where detailed topographical information was not available and was completed via aerial photo interpretation.
- Associated with the approximate screening area, the SVCA’s Regulation will apply to the appropriate features and an offset from these features, as determined when the SVCA is asked to review a proposal in, or in close proximity to, the approximate screening area.
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| Why is my property regulated by Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority? |
- Under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24, SVCA has a mandate to protect life, property and the environment.
- Specific areas and features are regulated through this legislation and SVCA is responsible for ensuring that development is safe and does not create or exacerbate any hazards.
- SVCA regulates development in and around features such as watercourses, shorelines, and steep slopes that are prone to flooding and erosion hazards, as well as wetlands and other sensitive environmental areas that can be affected by ecological and hydrological impacts.
- Our mission is to protect you and your development from these hazards.
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| Do I need a permit for a.... |
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| Do I need a permit for an accessory building? |
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An accessory building or structure will not require an SVCA permit provided it is a non-habitable, free standing accessory building or structure that is:
(A) is incidental or subordinate to the principal building or structure,
(B) is 15 square metres or less, and
(C) is not within a wetland or watercourse
If your proposal does not meet the above criteria, please start a file for staff review.
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| Do I need a permit for a deck? |
Construction of residential decks will not require an SVCA permit provided:
- an unenclosed detached deck or patio that is 15 square metres or less, is not placed within a watercourse or wetland and does not utilize any method of cantilevering
Please contact the Resources Information Technician to determine if your proposed deck location requires further review. |
| Do I need a permit for septic/sewage disposal systems? |
Private sewage disposal systems (replacement or as part of development) will not require an SVCA permit to be obtained provided:
- the disposal bed is no closer to a natural hazard than that which is being replaced;
- the bed is the same size or smaller than the existing being replaced; and/or
- there will be no negative impacts on the local drainage.
If your proposal does not meet the above criteria, please start a file for staff review. |
| Do I need a permit for fencing? |
- Fencing is considered exempt provided it is a rail, chain-link or panelled fence with a minimum of 75 millimetres of width between panels, that is not within a wetland or watercourse.
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| Do I need a permit for a dock? |
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Permits are not required provided it is a seasonal or floating dock that,
(A) is 10 square metres or less,
(B) does not require permanent support structures, and
(C) can be removed in the event of flooding.
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| Do I need a permit to cut down trees? |
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| Selective tree removal |
Selective tree removal does not require an SVCA permit or review from our office if:
- it does not require the use of heavy machinery;
- the tree is located on your property.
SVCA recommends Forestry best practices are followed. Check with your local municipality to see if they have any tree-cutting by-laws before starting any work. |
| Footpath / trails |
Footpath/trails: areas of dynamic beach or other natural hazards will not require an SVCA permit to be obtained provided that:
- the proposed works are to be located entirely on the subject property;
- the path is at grade;
- no significant amount of excavation, clearing, etc. is required;
- the path will not exceed a width of 1.2 metres;
- neighbouring paths along or at side yards of adjoined properties are encouraged;
- no other structures are proposed related to the landscaping; and
- there will only be one route per property.
Clearing many trees or clear cutting does require SVCA Review* |
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| Do I need a permit for landscaping, filling and/or grading? |
A permit will not be required for landscaping, filling and grading works where:
- fill quantities are less than 23 cu. m;
- the work is completed within one calendar year;
- is not an ongoing fill project;
- the fill is comprised of inert, granular material;
- will not cause erosion or sedimentation;
- is not located on a steep slope, wetland, or dynamic beach; and
- is not used for shoreline erosion protection within the shoreline hazard.
If your proposal does not meet the above criteria, please start a file for staff review. |
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| What can I do on my property within the SVCA Regulated Area that does not require an SVCA permit? |
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| Agricultural activities: |
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Non-structural agricultural use such as cropping and pasturing within existing agricultural fields, and woodlot management (selective timber harvesting with no permanent watercourse crossings, permanent landing areas, etc.).
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| Non-structural uses and activities: |
- Replacement of existing service connections (e.g. telephone, cable, water, sewer within a Regulated Area, but not within the actual regulated feature unless a floodplain (not within a wetland, watercourse, shoreline, valley); and
- Other non-structural uses such as gardens, nurseries, open arboretums and forestry/wildlife management.
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| Previously approved uses: |
- On-going operations associated with existing commercial/industrial uses that have been previously approved by SVCA; and
- Municipal water monitoring wells that would not affect the control of flooding, erosion, pollution, dynamic beaches, or the conservation of land.
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| Minor alterations & repairs: |
- Maintenance and upkeep of existing buildings and structures;
- Repairs and renovations to an existing building within the existing roofline and exterior walls and above the existing foundation, and is not associated with a change in use, or potential use, or increase the number of dwelling units;
- Interior and exterior repairs or maintenance of a building, such as siding, painting, window and door replacements, roof shingling;
- Replacing or installing a furnace or electrical panel (unless some other aspect of the overall project is considered construction or reconstruction);
- Minor alterations and maintenance or operation of existing dams that would not affect the control of flooding, erosion, pollution or the conservation of land and that would not result in changes in the capacity of river flows or impacts on integrity of the structure or in-water works, and where there is no change to the original dimensions of the existing dam;
- Maintenance to storm water management facilities that would not affect the control of flooding, erosion, pollution, dynamic beaches, or the conservation of land, and where there is no change to the original dimensions of the existing infrastructure.;
- Minor watercourse works, not including dams or ponds, in watercourses less than or equal to one metre in width at the project site (top of bank measured), will not disturb more than 8 metres of channel length, will not cause flooding or erosion and will not obstruct flow.
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| What happens if I don’t get an SVCA permit? |
- Work that is completed without a permit is a violation of regulations pursuant to the Conservation Authorities Act. SVCA can pursue legal action and charge the parties involved which will result in court action.
- If convicted, the court has several options for penalties that include jail time, fines and/or the restoration of the site to its original condition.
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| Can I appeal a decision if my permit application is not approved by SVCA staff? |
| Yes. If staff cannot approve your application, you have 30 days to request a Section 28 Hearing before SVCA’s Hearing Committee, which is a sub-committee made up of members of our Board of Directors. |
