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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

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​​​​​Realtor Frequently Asked Questions


This content, written in June 2022, is a listing of questions and answers given during a series of webinars provided to Toronto, Durham and Barrie realtors by Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority staff. The answers, encapsulated below, were valid at the time of writing. The below is offered as general guidance only and should not be construed as official Conservation Authority direction. If, after reading this, you still have questions, we highly encourage reaching out to us directly.

Do you allow boathouses? 


Boathouses are allowed to be built on Lake Simcoe but there are a number of restrictions around their development. A few of these restrictions include: they cannot contain any habitable space, have any water or sanitary servicing, and can only be one story. For the full regulations around boathouses, see our Regulation Implementation Guidelines, Chapter 6. If you still have questions, reach out to us.


Do you do site visits? 


If you’re a realtor and interested in knowing if a property is on regulated land, you can look it up in our mapping tool or you can call us. Site visits by Conservation Authority staff can be arranged however, if there is no current application on file, site visit fees may apply.


What are your fees and turnaround times for permit applications? 


Because our services are offered on a cost recovery basis, our fees are based on the level of detail required to review the permit application.  Our fee schedule is online for you to access anytime. If you are unsure what fee category you would fall under, please contact our Customer Service Analyst. As for timelines, they can be found in our Customer Service Strategy.

Where can we find the web address of all Conservation Authorities?

Conservation Ontario provides a listing of all Conservation Authorities inOntario. The map is searchable - you can enter an address for details about which Conservation Authority it falls under.

​Can I use the LSRCA website link on my web page?

Yes, we encourage you to share the information and resources found on our realtor web page.

Are man-made hazards, such as toxic or remediated soil tracked by any authority?

​​No, toxic or remediated soils are not tracked by the Conservation Authority.

Is there any sort of training manual or course to study maps in detail?

We know the maps can be complicated. Unfortunately, there is no simpler version or quick training to understand them fully. That’s why we have in-house experts with specialized education and extensive knowledge in fields like geographic information systems (GIS), planning, geology, engineering, and planning, in order to interpret them. If you would like more detail on the regulation limits, you can arrange an appointment with our Customer Service Analyst to go through these in more detail.

I have always contacted the Conservation Ontario (the umbrella organization for the 36 conservation authorities in Ontario) to speak with someone regarding a property. Is this the way to go if we are not sure of which conservation authority to contact?

You can visit this page on the Conservation Ontario website and search their map (by typing in an address) and it will help you to identify the Conservation Authority.

Do you coordinate (facilitate regulatory processes with Municipalities and other governmental (provincial and federal) bodies or must each process be handled separately?

We do not coordinate regulatory processes (permits, etc.) with other agencies. We can try and help guide you as a part of our customer service, but ultimately, the responsibility for ensuring appropriate approvals are in place lies with the landowner.

Do surveys reveal land or dwellings impacted by the Conservation Authority?

It can. In the simplest terms, a survey is a graphic depiction of a property, much like a map, outlining its legal boundaries and other features. It can also be a tool in showing regulated features and hazards. For example, topographic surveys help show the floodplain or a survey will show the slope hazard on a property. Conservation Authority staff can interpret the information on the survey to show development potential.