Applications, Licenses, and Permits | Township of Muskoka Lakes

All properties in Muskoka Lakes are required to have a 911 address. These numbers and blue reflective signs are your assurance that your property can be located in the event of an emergency.

If your land is undeveloped but is accessed for other purposes (hunting, camping, etc.), or if you are clearing trees for a future build, a 911 sign is required so that Emergency Services can find the property quickly.

If you are applying for a building or entrance permit and there is not already a number assigned, please request one from Operational Services before starting any work on the property. A site plan showing the entrance location is required.

If your property is on a private road, please ensure that any changes to the road’s structure or entrances are reported to the Township in order to ensure that the proper civic address sequence is maintained.

Installation

Your 911 number plate must be installed in a prominent location to be clearly visible from the primary access point to your residence (road or water). View our installation guidelines for more details.

Fee

You can purchase a new or replacement 911 civic address blade and post from the Operational Services Department during regular operating hours. The following rates apply:

Blade: $25.00 plus HST
Post: $35.00 plus HST

Contact the Operational Services Department by email or at 705-765-3156 ext. 252 for information.

The Building Department, part of the Township's Development Services division, works to ensure the buildings we work, live and play in are safe. Building permits and inspections help ensure building standards, and life safety requirements are met.

The responsibilities of the Building Department include:

Administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code regulations to ensure minimum standards are achieved for all building construction including septic changes, change of use and demolitions.
Review and issue building, demolition, and septic permits;
Conduct building inspections;
Investigation of complaints of construction without a permit, construction contrary to the Building Code, or of buildings in an unsafe condition, enforcing compliance as warranted; and,
Provides building construction information as requested for property transactions and general enquiries.

For more information or to apply for a building, demolition, or septic permit, please visit the Building, Demolition & Construction webpage.

Need to book an inspection? Please book online.

Under the Burning By-law 2023-083, as amended, and in accordance with the Ministry of Natural Resources, a Burn Permit is required between April 1st and October 31st.

Burn Permit Application

Online Application

Please complete the online application form. Once submitted, visit the Township office to make your payment and pick up your dog tag.

For more information view Property Taxes

For more information on Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Permits view Fire Permits and Plans

Freedom of Information Request Form

For more information on Freedom of Information view Accountability and Transparency

For more information on License Agreements view Clerk's and Legislative Services under Departments or Contact the Clerk's Department.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for administering the Liquor License Act (LLA) and specific sections of the Liquor Control Act (LCA), which together with the regulations made under them establish the licensing and regulatory regime for most aspects relating to the sale and service of alcohol in Ontario.

Among its regulatory activities in the alcohol sector, the AGCO is responsible for licensing and regulating manufacturers of wine, beer and spirits in Ontario as well as their representatives and representatives of foreign manufacturers.

Liquor Sales Licenses

Municipal support and approval may be required for the AGCO to issue a liquor license to sell or serve alcohol, to modify an existing license, or to temporarily extend a licensed area. Municipal fees apply to these requests.

Refer to the different types of licenses obtainable through the AGCO.

Special Occasions Permit (SOP)

A SOP is required any time alcohol is offered for sale anywhere other than in a licensed establishment (such as a bar or restaurant) or a private place (such as a private office or home).

A permit may be issued for the following types of events:

Private Event: For events where only invited guests will attend. These events cannot be advertised and there can be no intent to gain or profit from the sale of alcohol at the event.
Public Events: For events that are open to the public. Public events can be advertised and allow for fundraising/profit from the sale of alcohol.
Tailgate Events: For Public Events that are held outdoors, in connection with, and in proximity to, an eligible live sporting event and where attendees 19 years of age or older may bring their own liquor (BYOB) for consumption at the event. These events can be advertised and the sale and/or service of alcohol are permitted at the event.
Industry Promotional Events: For events held to promote a manufacturer's product through sampling. There can be no intent to gain or profit from the sale of alcohol at the event.

Municipal approval may be required for the AGCO SOP. Municipal fees apply to these requests.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for regulating gaming activities on Ontario. The AGCO and municipalities work together to ensure that the legal requirements, including terms and conditions of the licenses, are complied with by lottery licensees and any gaming suppliers used by charities.

The Registrar has issued a Lottery Licensing Policy Manual (LLPM) which is used to determine eligibility for a lottery license and for the use of proceeds. The LLPM sets out the types of lottery schemes for which a license may be issued. The Registrar also issues “terms and conditions” for lottery licenses, which provide detailed information on the conduct and management of licensed lottery events, and which may be supplemented by municipalities.

Lottery Types – Charitable Gaming

A lottery license is required if all of the following exists:

a prize,
a chance to win a prize, and
a consideration or a fee.

As such, a lottery scheme exists if money is paid or some other consideration is given for a chance to win a prize.

Municipalities have the authority to issue the following types of lottery licenses:

Bazaar Lotteries which include: wheels of fortune with a maximum bet of $2.00, raffles not exceeding $500, and bingo events up to $500.
Bingo Events with prize boards of up to $5,500.
Break Open Tickets for local organizations.
Media Bingo Events with prizes up to $5,500.
Raffle Lotteries for total prizes of $50,000 and under.

Eligibility

Only charitable organizations can obtain a lottery license. According to the AGCO, organizations must fall within one of the following four classifications to be eligible:

The Relief of Poverty
The Advancement of Education
The Advancement of Religion
Other Charitable Purposes Beneficial to the Community

Refer to the Charitable Lottery Licensing Overview for full details on lottery licensing.

Application Process

Review the AGCO's guidelines and eligibility criteria related to your event.
Download, print and complete the form relating to the type of lottery license you wish to obtain.
Submit completed application form and 3% licensing fee to the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
The completed application package must be submitted within the timelines set by the AGCO. A lottery cannot be conducted unless a license is issued.

Charitable Gaming Lottery Licensing Fees

The maximum fees that may be charged for the issuance of charitable gaming lottery licensing are in accordance with Section 17 of Order in Council 1413/08.

Reporting

That AGCO has a number of reporting requirements for lotteries to finalize the event. The AGCO outlines these requirements. Refer to the type of license you wish to obtain for reporting requirements. Reports must be submitted to the municipality within the AGCO's timeframes.

All Funds that are raised by an organization must only be spent as listed on your lottery license application and as prescribed by the Criminal Code of Canada, the Order-in Council, and policies of the Registrar of the AGCO.

The Township of Muskoka Lakes Planning Division provides various planning services to the Township Council, under the Planning Act, making recommendations to Council and Committees on development and land use matters.

The responsibilities of the Planning Department include:

Official Plan and Amendments
Official Plan Review
Mapping
Planning Notices
Zoning By-law and Amendments
Consents (Land Severances)
Site Plan Agreements
Minor Variances
Heritage Designations
Municipal Record Search Requests / Building Compliance Letters
Telecommunication Towers
Cash-in-Lieu of Parking

For more details, and to apply for an application please visit the Planning webpage.

For more information view Road Permits/Applications

For more information on Sale of Municipal Land view Clerks and Legislative Services under Departments or Contact the Clerks Department

For information on obtaining a short term rental accommodation license, please visit the Short Term Rental Accommodation webpage.

Sign Permit Application

For more information on Sign Permits view Road Permits/Applications

Site Alteration

For more information, please contact By-law

By-law 2024-046 governs the permitting and regulating of Special Events held within the Township of Muskoka Lakes. The Township has consolidated the special event procedure so that the process is streamlined. It is important to read the Special Event Guide prior to completing an application.

Any event that is being held on a Township roadway or property is required to fill out the Special Event Permit Application if at least one of the following criteria apply to the proposed event or if determined by staff:

Alcohol will be served;
Filming is taking place;
The duration of the event is at least 6 hours;
Attendance levels are forecasted at 250 patrons or more; and/or if
Road closure is required.

Any event that is being held on private property with more than 500 people in attendance at any given time is required to fill out the Special Event Permit Application.

Some events may require a Special Event Permit outside of these requirements due to the event activities. If event organizers are not sure if an event requires a Special Event Permit, please contact the Economic Development Officer to verify.

If your event does not fit in any of the above requirements but is on Township property, please contact the facility staff to book your facility or park space.

Special Event Permit Guide

Special Event Permit Application

Special Event Vendor Form

Special Event Emergency Planning Guidelines (for large events)

Please submit all applications to the Economic Development Officer

For more information view our Policy on Street Banners