Do I Need A Permit?

If your property is near or contains a watercourse, river or stream valleys, steep slopes, wetlands or the shoreline of Lake Erie, you are probably in an area regulated under the Conservation Authorities Act.

KCCA’s regulation mapping is used as a screening tool. It provides a visual, GIS-based, first-step assessment that informs stakeholders of potential permit requirements before undertaking development. As a screening mechanism, it is not a “statutory map”. The mapping is used by KCCA, municipalities and the public as an illustration of where the Act and Regulation may apply. If your property is within a regulated area you should contact KCCA staff to discuss your project and determine if your property is affected by the Regulation and whether or not a permit will be required.

Regulation Limit mapping is available on KCCA’s website: https://www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca/map-your-property/ 

You must obtain a Permit from Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA) if you plan to undertake any of the following activities within a regulated area:

• Alteration or Interference Activities: Activities to straighten, change, divert or interfere in any way with the existing channel of a creek, stream, or watercourse or to change or interfere in any way with a wetland.

  Development Activities which include:

  1. The construction, reconstruction, erection or placing of a building or structure of any kind,
  2. 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,
  3. Site grading, or
  4. The temporary or permanent placing, dumping or removal of any material, originating on the site or elsewhere.

If your property is located in a regulated area, or you think it is, please contact KCCA’s Planning & Regulations Supervisor for information on the permit and the approval process prior to any development or site alteration. 

KCCA encourages pre-submission consultation prior to submitting an application in order to ensure the applicant is fully aware of the Conservation Authorities Act requirements and to be advised of submission requirements for a complete application.

For more information on the application process, please refer to  KCCA’s permit application package.

Authority staff work diligently to provide prompt services for member municipalities and residents of the watershed. The regulation allows for 90 days from receipt of a complete application to issue the Permit. Pre-submission consultation is encouraged to streamline and expedite the application and permit process.

Development activities within an area of the Authority’s jurisdiction without a required Permit from KCCA may result in prosecution under the Conservation Authorities Act. Penalties for a contravention of the regulation are as high as $50,000 or 3-months imprisonment for individuals, and up to $1,000,000 for corporations. Upon conviction the court may also increase the fine amount to the amount of the monetary benefit that was acquired as a result of the offence.

It should be noted that a permit from KCCA does not replace building permits, or any other permits or approvals issued through municipal offices or other government agencies. Equally important, other agency approvals do not replace permits required from KCCA.

The cost of a permit will depend upon the type of work being applied. For further details, please see the fee schedule included in the Permit Application Package.