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Cottage Lot Factsheet Regarding Unauthorized Structures

Cottages and Sleep Cabins

Unauthorized cottages and sleep cabins (i.e., those that did not have written authorization) may be permitted to remain IF they otherwise meet, or could be modified to meet, the limits, terms and conditions within the Algonquin Provincial Park Management Plan Amendment. This would include having only one cottage and one sleep cabin, not exceeding the total combined footprint for new cottages and sleep cabins, and that the sleep cabin does not contain kitchen or washroom facilities or running water. The following are examples of situations where unauthorized cottages or sleep cabins may be brought into compliance and be allowed to remain.


1. Your cottage or sleep cabin has been identified as being built without written authorization.

If you currently have only one cottage and one sleep cabin on your cottage lot, the total combined footprint of the cottage and sleep cabin does not exceed the footprint limit in the park management plan for new cottages and sleep cabins and the unauthorized cottage or sleep cabin otherwise meets all other applicable limits, terms and conditions in the management plan, then the unauthorized cottage or sleep cabin may be permitted to remain.

If your one cottage and one sleep cabin exceed the maximum combined footprint for new cottages and sleep cabins, but you can reduce the size of one or the other to become compliant, then the unauthorized cottage or sleep cabin may be permitted to remain.

If there is currently more than one sleep cabin on the cottage lot, then you may have the choice of removing the unauthorized sleep cabin OR removing all other sleep cabins on the lot and keeping the unauthorized one. The remaining one sleep cabin and one cottage cannot exceed the maximum combined footprint identified in the park management plan. If you remove the unauthorized sleep cabin instead, then the remaining cottage and sleep cabins are grandfathered at their current size and number. Consult with the Cottage Lot team prior to deciding on your approach.


2. Your cottage or sleep cabin has been identified as being modified without authorization or was built or modified in a manner that does not comply with conditions of the written authorization (e.g., was built larger than authorized).

If the cottage / sleep cabin was modified without authorization, then you must:

  • Remove the modification (e.g., addition), or 
  • Bring the structure into compliance with all of the limits, terms and conditions for a new cottage or sleep cabin in the park management plan (including having only one cottage and one sleep cabin), or
  • Remove the structure.

If the cottage / sleep cabin was modified or built with authorization, but was done so in a manner that does not comply with conditions of the authorization, then you must:

  • Bring the structure into compliance with the terms of the written authorization, or
  • Bring the structure into compliance with the limits, terms and conditions for a new cottage or sleep cabin in the park management plan, or
  • Remove the structure.

The Ministry will work with cottagers to identify possible options, such as those described above, that would allow an unauthorized cottage or sleep cabin to remain in a manner that complies with the cottage lot policy and the park management plan. This may require that the Ministry visit your cottage lot to verify exact measurements of your structures and discuss options with you in person.