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Proposed Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan Amendment

3.2.1 - Eligibility Requirement for Existing Ancillary Structures

As outlined in section 4.2.2 of the Algonquin Provincial Park Cottage Lot Policy 2018-2038, to be eligible for 2038 occupational authority, cottagers must either remove or relocate onto the cottage lot any off-lot ancillary structures. Any relocated ancillary structures must meet the requirements of section 3.2.2.

Further, to be eligible for 2038 occupational authority, cottagers must ensure that all existing on-lot ancillary structures comply with the following limits, conditions and standards:

  • the combined (total) footprint of all on-lot ancillary structures must not exceed 44 square metres (480 square feet);
  • on-lot ancillary structures must not contain cooking, kitchen or bathroom facilities, sewage systems or water intakes, with some limited exceptions  (e.g., outdoor showers, hot tubs) as determined by MNRF; and
  • the on-lot ancillary structure may not be a camper vehicle.

In addition:

  • hot tubs must be drained to a sewage system (e.g., grey water pit or septic) that is approved by a qualified sewage inspector to handle the volume of water contained within the hot tub, in addition to any other water / sewage that drains into the system. Water may not be drained directly into the lake or onto the ground, regardless whether the water is chlorinated / treated.
  • outdoor showers must be: 
    • set back at least 15 m from the water’s edge and constructed over a suitable ground surface (e.g., grassed surface with no platform above the ground or a shallow dug pit containing pea gravel and/or sand with or without a platform), that will ensure water percolates into the ground and cannot run off; or
    • drain into a sewage system (e.g., grey water pit or septic) that is approved by a qualified sewage inspector to handle the volume of water from the outdoor shower and any other water / sewage that drains into the system. 

Where on-lot ancillary structures do not meet these limits, conditions and standards, cottagers must remove or adjust ancillary structures, as necessary.