Many people would say that the best part of their cottage is actually the dock! After all, it’s where we spend so much time from dawn until dusk most summer days. Who doesn’t savour those morning coffees as the mist burns off the lake, or hanging out with a good book under the sun? A dock is so much more than a place to hold a boat; it’s often the entertainment centre of the whole property.
If you’re currently looking at buying a cottage in the Parry Sound or the greater Muskoka region, or perhaps you already own one and want to put in a new dock, be sure to consider the many factors involved with building or upgrading one; it’s not as simple as you may think. With increased environmental protection laws in place, as well as the importance of adhering to local by-laws and lakefront aesthetics, building your dock may involve more planning and research than anticipated.
We’ve outlined some of the key factors to consider regarding the construction or renovation of docks in our region, so you can rest easy – and relax as you should.
- How will you use it?
What’s the purpose of your dock? It is just to hold a motor boat, canoe or personal watercraft? Maybe you need it for enjoying time (meals, games, etc.) with your growing family or a group of friends. Does it need to have specialized accessibility, or perhaps you’re thinking you want to install a slide? Don’t rush in to drafting up the blueprints unless you’ve given careful thought to exactly how you wish to utilize your dock.
Don’t forget too, that your cottage neighbours may play an important part of your dock planning process; you want to make sure you aren’t impeding on their space, views, or tranquility.
- Do you need a permit?
You may be thinking that since your basic dock matches other docks in the area, you won’t need a permit. Think again! The laws have changed recently in regard to docks and boathouses for the Parry Sound and Muskoka regions, so be sure to connect with your municipal by-law office for docks both small and large to find out if indeed you need a permit. Depending on your unique situation, you may also need to secure authorization from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Here are just some of the key factors that are considered when getting a permit:
- Lake bed – Is yours sand, rock, or marsh/grass?
- What materials are you using? From the steel, wood, rubber, or even stains or paints, you’ll need to make sure they are sturdy, safe and environmentally friendly.
- What type of dock are you installing? Is it a floating, crib, or post dock? Is it removable, or fixed?
- What are the local environmental factors? Your property or lake may be host to a protected species of bird, animal, fish or plants, in which case stricter regulations will be enforced.
- Last but not least…what is the size of your new dock? See below for more:
- Size – small, medium or large?
While some cottage owners want a tiny dock that’s out of the way so they can enjoy sitting on the rocks or enjoying lake vistas, others prefer a moderate or even massive dock. It wouldn’t make sense to allow people to build any sized dock they want; there are limits based on the size of your waterfront and lake size as well. Further, what shape will your dock be, what furniture or other amenities will it hold, and what will the weight-bearing capacity be? As part of the process for obtaining a permit, you will need to provide your plans or blueprints to your municipal office for inspection. After all, you don’t just want your dock to be functional and enjoyable, you want it to be safe as well.
You want to get the most out of your cottage, which is why it’s important to follow the rules and regulations when it comes to building, using and enjoying your dock. While your contractor or builder may be familiar with the regulations, they may not be aware of recent changes or developments. To avoid hefty fines, disrupting your fellow cottagers, or even being forced to demolish and reconstruct your dock (we’ve seen it happen!), we always advise that you visit or call your local municipal government office (who you pay your cottage property taxes to) as well as your trusted real estate law office.
Here at Ares Law, it’s our job to ensure that you are protected when it comes to your home or cottage. We can advise you on your rights and responsibilities related to docks, boathouses and bunkies along with the related permits, by-laws, and other governances so that you won’t have any surprises down the road. Connect with us today at our Parry Sound office; our expert legal team is just a phone call away at 705-746-6444.
