Working Around Water

​​If you are planning to do work in or near water, you are required to comply with all existing laws and regulatory requirements. You may require permits or approvals from municipal, provincial and/or federal regulatory authorities. Permits/authorizations must be obtained before you start any work. Approval from one agency does not guarantee approval from other agencies.

SSEA is a non-regulatory agency and does not issue permits or approvals.​

For municipal permits/approvals, contact your municipality.

As of January 1, 2014, certain types of activities in or around water no longer require a work permit under the Public Lands Act, provided all the established rules are followed. If you can’t meet all of the established rules for the activity, you will need a work permit. To determine if your project requires a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Work Permit, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/crown-land-work-permits

In 2019, Canada modernized the Fisheries Act https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/campaign-campagne/fisheries-act-loi-sur-les-peches/index-eng.html​. On August 28th, 2019 provisions of the new Fisheries Act came into force including new protections for fish and fish habitat in th​e form of standards, codes of practice, and guidelines for projects near water: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/index-eng.html.