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Survey Fact Sheet Algonquin Cottage Program

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.