An essential part of any Muskoka cottage is the dock. It’s not just a functional port for a boat, it’s often the social hub of the entire cottage! Whether it’s for watching sunsets, jumping off, sunbathing or enjoying your morning coffee, it’s important that your dock is safe, sturdy and adheres to municipal, provincial or even federal by-laws. After all, there are environmental, aesthetic and overall usage factors involved when we construct a dock in public waterways. If you are buying a cottage or already own one and want to change up your dock, here are 4 key considerations for your Muskoka dock:
- Purpose
It may sound silly, but each family has different uses for their dock. Before drawing up any plans, be sure to consider how it will be best utilized. Do you need it for one boat, or five? How about entertaining; how many people, tables, chairs and other items can it hold safely? Will you be jumping or fishing off it, and if so, how far out does it need to be?
- Size
Docks these days come in all shapes and sizes. Some need to accommodate pergolas, change huts, outdoor kitchens, swings, slides and more. Some cottage owners like big docks front and centre, while others prefer a small one off to the side as to not obstruct the lovely lake view. Naturally, you can’t go building any sized dock you like; there are specific by-laws for each Muskoka municipality to adhere to depending which lake you are on, your waterfront square footage, and any environmental concerns for that particular area.
- Permits
Permits are a big deal when it comes to docks, boathouses, and other cottage considerations. Unless you are replacing a small dock with an identical one, you’ll likely need a permit for any new or re-built dock, especially if it’s over 10 m. sq. in total. However, there are so many variables to consider, such as the materials used, the style of dock (crib, floating, post, etc.), the lake bed (sandy, rocky or marshy), how wide or long the dock is, or whether or not there are any protected species or plants in the area. All this boils down to one key task: Call or visit your municipal office and get the information you need long before building anything.
Some cottage owners will also need to get a permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans depending the species of fish, plants or other wildlife that may be negatively impacted by such construction. Failure to secure the proper permits may result in hefty fines, or having that dock taken down and re-built to comply with zoning by-laws.
- Neighbours
Don’t forget that your Muskoka cottage shares a body of water with others. Many people escape to their cottages as a refuge from the hustle and noise of the city. With this in mind, it’s important to consider your neighbours when building or using your dock. If it’s garish and loud, or obstructs their view for example, they may file a complaint with the municipality. To keep the peace, and peace of mind, considering your cottage neighbours is always advisable.
As you can see, building a dock is not as simple or straightforward a process as you may have originally thought. There are several factors which can impact it, so be sure to do your research and plan far in advance before you begin construction. Whether it’s a DIY project or you’ve hired professionals to do the job, be sure to retain the services of a real estate law team so that you can be sure your project follows the letter of the law.
At Ares Law, we specialize in helping cottage and home-owners in Bracebridge, Huntsville, Gravenhurst and the greater Muskoka region to ensure that all legal bases are covered. Connect with us today at (705) 645–8743 and let’s get started.
