What are floating accommodations?
Any watercraft that is supplied and equipped for overnight use is considered a floating accommodation, including:
- barges with a cabin
- floating cottage (units built on rafts versus a hull)
- houseboats
- larger vessels with sleeping quarters
It is evident that changes are happening on Ontario’s waterways. The use of waterways by watercraft has grown to include floating accommodations which can accommodate longer stays, similar to those of a cottage. Some of the common concerns about floating accommodations include:
- logistics for emergency services
- need for building permits
- time and length of use
- potential for limiting access to public lands and waterways
- increasing environmental impacts on waterways
- property tax considerations
- wastewater management
Notice of Public Meeting
Zoning By-Law Amendment, Floating Accommodations
In response to a report from MHBC Planning at the November 15, 2023 Planning and Development Committee meeting, members directed staff to update the Township’s Zoning By-law to establish provisions for Floating Accommodations. A virtual Public Meeting will be held on February 21, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. to allow for public comment on the amended draft Zoning By-law.
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Meeting details |
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Township of Severn will be holding a virtual Public Meeting as part of the Planning and Development Committee meeting utilizing the Zoom application on Wednesday, February 21at 9:00 a.m. to consider the following Zoning By-law Amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990. |
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Details of proposal |
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Applicant: Township of Severn |
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How to participate |
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All are welcome to attend the meeting or to provide verbal or written comments. All comments will form part of the public record including all verbal submissions made during the Public Meeting. This meeting is being held virtually. Members of the Planning and Development Committee will attend the meeting by Zoom only. Options for public participation in the meeting include:
If you feel you are unable to participate by one of the above methods, please contact the Planning department to discuss additional options. |
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Purpose and effect |
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The purpose of the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is to update the Township’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2010-65 to establish provisions to regulate Floating Accommodations using provincial regulations and definitions. The following is a summary of the changes proposed:
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Additional information |
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Additional information relating to the Zoning By-law Amendment is available for inspection on weekdays by appointment between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at our Administration Office (1024 Hurlwood Lane, Severn). Please contact the Planning department to schedule an appointment. |
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Staff contact |
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Monica Chambers |
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Mail and courier |
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Mailing address: Township of Severn, PO Box 159, Orillia, Ontario L3V 6J3 Courier address: 1024 Hurlwood Lane, Severn, Ontario L3V 0Y6 |
Who regulates floating accommodations?
Regulation of use is a complex issue involving all levels of government:
| Transport Canada |
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Responsibilities:
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| Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry (NDMNRF) |
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Responsibilities:
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| Municipalities |
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Responsibilities:
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| Parks Canada - Trent Severn Waterway (TSW) |
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Responsibilities:
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What laws currently regulate floating accommodations on waterways?
| Ontario Regulation 161/17 |
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O. Reg 161/17 regulates the type of structure or things that may be used on public lands, as long as the conditions in the regulation are followed. Structures include 'camping unit' had been defined as:
O. Reg 161/17 was recently amended to clarify that floating accommodations cannot be placed or used for outdoor accommodation or camping purposes on public land covered by water. Ontario Regulation 326/94 was also amended to make the same clarification for non-residents camping on public land in northern Ontario. Both amending regulations were filed with the Registrar on June 20, 2023 and are effective as of July 1, 2023. |
| Public Lands Act |
| The Public Lands Act provides for the creation and management of restricted areas by the Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry in parts of Ontario without municipal authority. In a restricted area, permits from NDMNRF are required undertake specific activities, whether this occurs on Crown or private lands. Activities that require a permit from MNR are identified in the development plan or guidelines that refer to each restricted area. |
Other information
Request for municipal comments
In 2022, the NDMNRF asked municipalities for their input on “camping” on waterways and the use of floating accommodations on Ontario’s public lands. The Township of Severn submitted comments in response to this notice. Although no regulatory changes were proposed at that time proposed these comments submitted by Severn may help to inform future changes which would then be subject to a public consultation process.
Who can residents contact to voice their concerns?
The majority of the waterways in Severn are under the federal jurisdiction of Parks Canada. These include:
- Severn River including Gloucester Pool and Little Lake
- Maclean Lake
- Otter Lake
Residents who would like to submit comments or voice their concerns can contact Adam Chambers, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North:
Main office – Midland
504 Dominion Avenue
Midland, Ontario
L4R 1P8
Phone: 705-527-7654
Email: adam.chambers@parl.gc.ca
Orillia
575 West Street South
Suite 12
Orillia, Ontario
L3V 7N6
Phone: 705-327-0513
Ottawa
Adam Chambers, MP
Parliament of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0A6*
*Mail may be sent postage-free to the Ottawa parliamentary address.
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