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Survey Fact Sheet Algonquin Cottage Program


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Table of Contents

  • 1. Introduction and Purpose
  • 2. Process and Timing
  • 3. Survey Instruction Package
  • 4. Combined Surveys/Multiple Lots
  • 5. Cost
  • Commonly Asked Questions
  • List of Survey Companies

1. Introduction and Purpose

The Algonquin Provincial Park Cottage Lot Policy (2018-2038), together with the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan (as amended) outline eligibility requirements for cottage lots and specific structural limitations that cottagers will be required to meet in order to obtain 2038 occupational authority (for the term of January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2038).

One such eligibility requirement that all cottagers will have to complete, is the submission of a new survey for their cottage lot. The required survey submissions will consist of two types of plans: a Crown Land Reference Plan defining the proposed cottage lot boundaries and a Surveyors Real Property Report documenting all of the improvements within the proposed cottage lot boundaries. Both plans must be prepared by a licensed Ontario Land Surveyor.

Note: Existing surveys for cottage lots do not meet current standards, and do not reflect what is currently on the landscape. New up-to-date plans are required – there will be no exceptions. Sketches, site plans or other related products are not acceptable.

Note: Survey work cannot be started without written authorization and site specific instructions from the Algonquin Cottage Lot Program Lands Technician.

The Crown Land Reference Plan is required to describe the proposed cottage lot boundary, the standards and requirements of which are governed by the Registry Act and must be completed in accordance with both the Instructions Governing Ontario Crown Land Surveys and Plans (November 1, 2010) and site specific instructions issued by the Algonquin Cottage Lot Program Lands Technician.

The Surveyor’s Real Property Report (SRPR) is a type of survey plan, the standards and requirements of which are governed by the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors. This plan and report provide a clear picture of all fixed physical improvements as related to the boundaries of the cottage lot. The SRPR will generally include the following information:

  • the dimensions of the cottage lot boundaries and any third party interests (e.g. utility rights-of-ways etc.);
  • the location, dimensions, area and description of all buildings, docks, decks, patios, driveways and other fixed improvements (all being accurately related to the proposed cottage lot boundaries);
  • the identification of adjacent properties and roads.

Survey documents should be completed and submitted as soon as possible as they serve as a prerequisite for structural eligibility requirements. For example, the SRPR will show the area (footprint) of each structure, which will be used in the calculation of your combined total ancillary footprint. If your total combined ancillary footprint exceeds the limit identified in the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan (as amended), then the SRPR will help you determine which structures you will remove or reduce in size to meet the maximum combined footprint limit.

2. Process and Timing

Step 1 - Application: Cottagers apply for 2022 Occupational Authority. Due by March 31, 2017.

Step 2 – Direction to Proceed: The Ministry issues Notice of Direction and Survey Instructions (please see section on Survey Instruction Package for details) to cottagers who applied for 2022 Occupational Authority. The notice will give direction on hiring a surveyor, removing invasive species (if noted on the lot), arranging for a sewage system inspection and other eligibility requirements as applicable. Note, the primary contact for the cottage lot will be the individual receiving the survey instructions.

The target date for the Ministry to issue Notice of Direction and Survey Instructions to those cottagers who applied for occupational authority by March 31 is April 30, 2017. Note: if there are any questions resulting from your returned structural report, then the Ministry may have to follow up with you and/or conduct a site visit to finalize your survey instructions.

Step 3 – Retaining an Ontario Land Surveyor: Cottager hires an Ontario Land Surveyor of their choice and directs them to contact the Ministry for authorization to proceed. Cottagers may seek quotes and hire a surveyor as soon as they receive survey instructions from the Ministry. The cottager then provides a copy of their survey instruction package to the surveyor in order to get a quote for service. The Ministry has compiled a list of Ontario Land Surveyors (found at the end of this fact sheet) who have indicated their interest in conducting surveys in Algonquin Park for this program and who were offered the opportunity to attend an information session to ensure their understanding of the requirements. Cottagers are not limited to the firms on this list. It is being provided as a resource to assist in your search.

Step 4 - Survey Instructions: Surveyor submits request for authorization to the Algonquin Cottage Lot Program by email to algonquin.cottages@ontario.ca Note: Surveyors are to confirm by email that they have been hired, and state the cottagers name and Lease or APL number. They must scan and attach a copy of the instructions form provided to them by the cottager.

The Algonquin Cottage Lot Program team will ensure the surveyor has the complete instruction package and will sign the Requirements for Crown Land Survey form, formally authorizing the surveyor to proceed. Target time to provide authorization to surveyors will be within one week of receiving authorization request (depending on volume of requests).

Step 5: Survey Submissions: Surveyor proceeds to conduct field work and then completes drafting of the Crown Land Reference Plan and Surveyors Real Property Report.

The Ministry will encourage surveyors to make every effort to complete the field work for both the Crown Land Reference Plan and the Surveyors Real Property Report during one site visit, however, there may be circumstances where the surveyor is required to re-attend the site to place monuments in accordance with the regulations.

Seasonality: Since the Surveyors Real Property Report will be identifying decks, patios, driveways and other features that could be obscured by snow, these surveys are to be conducted during snow free conditions.

In accordance with submission requirements set out in section 6 of the Instructions Governing Ontario Crown Land Surveys and Plans (November 1, 2010) the Surveyor must submit a signed Crown Land Reference Plan together with the Surveyors Real Property Report to the Algonquin Cottage Lot Program Lands Technician for review. The submission must consist of two separate packages (one package addressed to the Office of the Surveyor General, and one package to Algonquin Cottage Lot Program). No submission for review of a Crown plan is to be made directly to the Office of the Surveyor General unless specifically requested.

The Ministry recommends that surveyors submit these documents by November 30, 2017.

Step 6 – Survey Submission Review: The Algonquin Cottage Lot Program Lands Technician conducts an initial review and then submits package to the Office of the Surveyor General (OSG) for technical review and formal approval in accordance with the Instructions Governing Ontario Crown Land Surveys and Plans (November 1, 2010). Once approved, OSG will issue permission to deposit the Crown Land Reference Plan at the Land Titles Office to the surveyor.

Surveyor will deposit the approved Crown Land Reference Plan at the land registry office and provide a copy of the deposited survey plan to OSG.

OSG will provide a copy of the deposited plan and the proposed lot description to the Algonquin Cottage Lot Program. This legal description will be attached to the 2038 Occupational Authority Instrument (Lease or License of Occupation), once issued.

Target review period is two months from the date of submission to OSG.

Step 7 - Site Remediation: The Algonquin Cottage Lot Program Team will review the Surveyors Real Property Report and, if required, issue a “Notice of Direction for Structural Modifications” to the cottager outlining:

  • Any ancillary structures that require relocation onto lot (or removal);
  • Whether a total reduction in ancillary structure footprint is required;
  • Whether there are any unauthorized cottages or sleep cabins that must be removed or resized. 

The Algonquin Cottage Lot Team will highlight which structures require modifications directly on a copy of the Surveyors Real Property Report and a copy will be enclosed with the notice of direction.

Where the ancillary footprint needs to be reduced, it is up to the cottager to determine which structure(s) they reduce in size or remove to meet the footprint requirement. The Surveyors Real Property Report will show the area for each structure to assist the cottager in making this decision.

Target Review timeline by the Ministry and issuance of Notice of Direction: two months from the receipt of the approved Surveyors Real Property Report.

If the survey was completed by November 30, 2017, this would enable cottagers to plan and seek contractors to conduct structural modification work within 2018 and 2019 snow free seasons.


3. Survey Instruction Package

The survey instruction package will include the following:

A: Requirements for Crown Land Survey form.
This form will outline the standard in which the survey is to be prepared, what type of waterfront boundary will be surveyed, and all site specific instructions.

B: Site Sketch of Existing Occupation
This sketch illustrates all structures on the cottage lot as identified in the 2015 cottage lot inventory.

C: Structure Report
This report will provide photos of the subject structures and provide a cross reference to the site sketch. This will help surveyors confirm they are in the correct location and addressing the correct structures.

D: Survey Recommendations Summary Report
This report will identify each structure on the lot and its type (cottage/sleep cabin, ancillary, sewage or water unit), and how the lot may be adjusted to accommodate any improvements that may currently be off lot. The recommendations section will clearly outline the required changes to the lot in order to capture structures in accordance with the Cottage Lot Policy

E: Site Sketch of New Parcel Boundaries.
This sketch illustrates site specific survey instructions relative to the improvements described in the survey recommendations summary report.

It is important that cottagers provide a copy of all items in the survey package to their surveyor in order to obtain an accurate quote. A copy of the survey instructions package will be retained on file and can be issued electronically to surveyors if necessary.


4. Combined Surveys/Multiple Lots

Cottagers located on the same lake or within close proximity of each other are encouraged to partner with other cottagers to contract a surveyor to survey multiple parcels (cottage lots) at the same time. Having multiple parcels surveyed at once and combined into one Crown Land Reference Plan may substantially reduce the cost to individual cottagers. 

Please note that individual Surveyors Real Property Reports are required for each cottage lot.

5. Cost

Cottagers are responsible for hiring a surveyor and for all costs associated with the surveys of their lot. The cost of the survey can only be determined when seeking the services of a surveyor. 

Commonly Asked Questions

How will the limits of my property be marked on the ground?
The corners of each parcel, in addition to any intersecting underlying parcel fabric, will be marked by survey monuments (or iron bars) in accordance with the Instructions Governing Ontario Crown Land Surveys and Plans (November 1, 2010). It is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada to remove these monuments once placed by an Ontario land surveyor.

Will trees on my lot be cut down?
There should be no need for the cutting of mature trees. In many cases branches and undergrowth may have to be trimmed to allow the surveyor to see along the lines of the parcel or to take ties to structures. Any cutting or trimming will be kept to a minimum.

Can the survey include all structures that I currently have?
The 2015 inventory identified a substantial number of lots that have structures located outside of the current lot boundaries. Depending on the type of structure and the total combined area of occupation, we may be able to adjust the parcel limits to accommodate some, or all, of the buildings in accordance with policy. Each parcel will be assessed individually, and the survey instructions issued will outline the approved revised lot boundary.

List of Survey Companies

The following Ontario Land Surveyors expressed interest in conducting surveys for cottagers within Algonquin Provincial Park. You are NOT restricted to these companies, this list is provided only for assistance. You may hire any certified Ontario Land Surveyor.


Adam Kasprzak Surveying Ltd. Renfrew. Simon Kasprzak, 613-432-3048

Ashenhurst Nouwens & Associates Inc. Hamilton. Harry Kalantzakos, 905-529-6316 X 224

Callon Dietz, London. Terry Dietz, 519 673-0220

D.S. Dorland Limited. Sudbury, James Dorland. 705-673-2556

Dearden and Stanton Limited. Orillia. Chester Stanton, 705-325-9521

E.J. Williams Surveying Limited. Huntsville. Ted Williams, 705-789-4171

Eplett Worobec Raikes Surveying Ltd. Barrie. Peter Raikes, 705-722-6222

exp Services Inc. North Bay. Michael Haines, 705-474-2720

Greg Bishop Surveying and Consulting Ltd. Haliburton. Greg Bishop, 705-457-2811

Ivan B. Wallace OLS Ltd. Bowmanville. Robert Wannack,  905-668-8893

J D Barnes Limited First Base Solutions. Ottawa. George Zervos Surveyor, 613-731-7244

J.B. Fleguel Surveyors. Lakefield. Chris Musclow, 705-652-6198

McIntosh Perry. Perth. Tom Jones, 613-267-6524

Miller & Urso Surveying Inc. North Bay. Rick Miller, 705 474-1210

P.A. Blackburn Limited, OLS. North Bay. Arden Blackburn, 705-476-2600

P.A.Miller Surveying Ltd. Stirling. Paul Miller, 613-395-3070

Robert C. Thaler Surveying Ltd. Bracebridge. Robert C. Thaler, 705-645-1732

Robert M. McDermott Surveying Ltd. Port Sydney. Robert M. McDermott, 705 385-3198

Rodney Geyer, O.L.S. Inc. Everett. Rodney Geyer, 613-334-8740

Stantec. Ottawa. Brian Webster, 613-724-3132

Surveyors On Site Inc. New Liskeard. Ryan Seguin, 705-622-0872

T.A.Bunker Surveying Ltd. Gravenhurst. Chris Bunker, 705-687-5883

Tham Surveying Limited. Vaughan. Michael Griffiths, 905-761-6521

Tulloch Geomatics. Huntsville. Kevin Kujala, 705-789-7851

Valard Geomatics (Ontario) Ltd. Concord. W. Bruce Clark, 587- 784-0053