Docks and Boat Ports

You need to complete and submit a building permit application in order to build a dock, boathouse, boat-port or other shoreline structures on your property.

Check your Zoning

Shoreline structures are regulated by the Township's Zoning By-law. 

Some common Zoning restrictions are coverage, setbacks, and maximum number of buildings. It is the owner’s responsibility to confirm the property Zoning and make sure your project meets the applicable restrictions.

To check permitted uses for the property, you should:

• use our Zoning Map tool to confirm your property's Zoning
• review the applicable sections of Severn’s Zoning By-law, based on the zone of your property and proposed structure(s)
• refer to Section 3.2.12: Shoreline Structures, to review any additional restrictions or requirements that may apply

Before you apply

If your property is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, you'll need to get a Trent-Severn Waterway permit through Parks Canada before applying to the Township of Severn. Please include your Trent-Severn Waterway permit along with your building permit application.

If you property is outside of the Trent-Severn Waterway, it may still require a work permit from the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (MNDMF).   To see if you need a permit from MNDMF please review the requirements  for Crown land work permits. Please include your Crown land work permit along with your building permit application when applicable.

Fees

Building permit checklist

All docks must be designed to meet the structural design requirements within the application and limitations set out in Parts 4 and 9 of the Ontario Building Code.

Please make sure to include the following information with your building permit application:

• Building Permit Application form
• Schedule 1 (Designer form)
• Letter of Authorization (if applicable)
• site plan
• any applicable approvals (Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, Trent-Severn Waterway)

Dock permits

If you are submitting a building permit application for a dock, the following is required as well as the items listed above:

• plan view layouts
• footing layouts and anchoring details (if applicable)
• where an anchor and tether system are proposed, attachment and material details and specifications are required
• structural framing layouts
• structural connection details and fastening specifications
• details and specifications on all proposed material types

Prefabricated dock systems

In addition to the above, all testing documents and specifications must be submitted to the Township for review. These documents must be signed and sealed by the qualified person taking responsibility for the design.

Exception: A permit is not required for floating docks or pole docks less than 7 feet to 10 feet (2.4 metres(m)) in width and less than 150 square feet (ft2 or 13.9 m2) in size which are not permanently affixed to the shoreline between May 1 and September 30 which are not under the control or jurisdiction of the Trent Severn Waterway (per the Township’s Building By-law 2021-91).