Special Planning Committee - July 17, 2026

A Special Planning Committee Meeting will be held on July 17, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., in a hybrid format from the Council Chambers, Municipal Offices, Port Carling, Ontario.

View the July 17, 2026 Special Planning Committee Agenda.

View the July 17, 2026 Special Planning Committee Webcast.

The Minutes and Agendas for all Council and Committee meetings are available in our Government Portal.

A complete listing of upcoming scheduled meetings can be accessed through the municipal meeting calendar.

Planning a boathouse or shoreline project? Here's what you need to know.

By Township of Muskoka Lakes - Jul 17, 2026

If you're planning to build, repair, or replace a boathouse or complete shoreline improvements, recent updates to the Township of Muskoka Lakes' Sale of Shore Road Allowances and Road Allowances Policy may affect your project if you do not own your Original Shore Road Allowance (“OSRA”).

Approved by Council on June 10, 2026 (see Staff Report LS-2026-019), the above policy updates clarify requirements for shoreline development and introduce a new option to help eligible projects move forward while the Original Shore Road Allowance (OSRA) purchase process is underway.

Does this apply to you?

These updates may apply if you:

  • Own a waterfront property.
  • Are planning to build a boathouse.
  • Are proposing other shoreline structures that require a building permit, such as a boathouse, stairs, railings, gazebos, or retaining walls.
  • Do not currently own your Original Shore Road Allowance.

What changed?

As of June 10, 2026, boathouses are no longer exempt from the Township’s OSRA requirements.

This means that before a building permit can be issued to construct a boathouse, the Original Shore Road Allowance must first be owned by the property owner.

This brings boathouses in line with other shoreline structures requiring a building permit, creating a more consistent approach to shoreline development and ensuring permits are issued only for structures located on land owned by the applicant.

Don't own your Original Shore Road Allowance yet? There's an option for that!

The Township recognizes that purchasing an Original Shore Road Allowance can take time.

To help keep eligible projects moving, a Conditional Building Permit Agreement may be available.

Building permit graphic

Once an Original Shore Road Allowance application has received initial approval, eligible property owners may be able to enter into a Conditional Building Permit Agreement. This allows the building permit process to move forward while the Original Shore Road Allowance purchase is being completed.

If you're planning a shoreline project and would like to discuss the approvals required, please contact the Building Department at 705-765-3156 or bldg@muskokalakes.ca.

Why purchase your Original Shore Road Allowance?

Purchasing your Original Shore Road Allowance can provide several long-term benefits, including:

  • Meeting the requirements for building permits for shoreline structures.
  • Owning the shoreline between your property and the water.
  • Helping simplify future property sales by addressing title-related questions in advance.
  • Supporting future development opportunities, including lot area considerations where applicable.
  • Purchasing at current rates before future pricing adjustments.

For questions on purchasing your OSRA, please contact the Land & Agreements Coordinator at 705-765-3156 or clerks@muskokalakes.ca 

If you’re planning a shoreline project, here's where to start:

If your project requires a building permit, the Township recommends beginning with an Original Shore Road Allowance application. Check out the typical process and our helpful decision tree below. 

The typical process is:

  1. Apply to purchase your Original Shore Road Allowance.
  2. Apply for any required dock permits (if applicable).
  3. Apply for a building permit for your shoreline structure, such as a boathouse, stairs, or gazebo.
  4. Obtain any additional approvals that may be required, including approvals from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Navigation Protection Program, and Parks Canada, where applicable.

Starting this process early can help avoid delays and ensure you have the approvals needed before construction begins.

Need help?

If you're unsure whether your project requires an Original Shore Road Allowance purchase or a building permit, Township staff are here to help. Contact the Building Department at 705-765-3156 or bldg@muskokalakes.ca.

Relevant Resources:

For more information, please contact:
Building Department, Township of Muskoka Lakes
705-765-3156
bldg@muskokalakes.ca

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Township of Muskoka Lakes
1 Bailey St., P.O. Box 129,
Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0
T: 705-765-3156 F: 705-765-6755

Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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