Shoreline Work Permits

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is responsible for issuing permits under the Public Lands Act, which applies to the beds of most lakes and rivers; shore lands covered or seasonally flooded by the water of a lake, river, stream or pond.

In order to qualify for a work permit, applicants must first obtain consent from the Township confirming the shoreline work would conform to the policy direction of the Official Plan.

To obtain municipal consent, a copy of the plans showing the proposed work are to be submitted with a recent picture of the shoreline and a Municipal Consent Form and emailed to the Planning Department.

Shoreline Structures

The following buildings are permitted on or near the shoreline:

• Gazebo or outdoor sauna provided it is located at least 10 m (32' 10”) from the high water mark, 6 m (19' 8”) from the side lot line and a maximum size of 9 m² (96.9 ft²).
• Pump house provided it is located at least 10 m (32' 10”) from the high water mark, meets the side lot line (e.g. 4.5 m (14' 9”) in the Shoreline Residential (SR) Zone), a maximum size 2.5 m² (26.9 ft²) and a maximum height of 2 m (6' 7”).
• Docks may stick out up to 15 m (49' 3”) into the lake or river. If the lake or river is less than 30 m (98' 5”) in width, the dock may stick out 6 m (19' 8”) or 30%, whichever is less, into the lake or river provided the side lot line is met. On a narrow lake or river when dock sticks out the 15 m (49' 3”) and the water level is less than 1 m (3' 3”) deep a dock may stick out to a maximum of 25 m (82') until a depth of 1 m (3' 3”) is met.
• Decks must meet the side lot line (e.g. 4.5 m (14' 9”) in the Shoreline Residential (SR) Zone).

The total width of all shoreline structures cannot be larger than 30% of the lot frontage to a maximum of 15 m (49' 3”).

Boathouses and boat ports are not allowed, however; existing boathouses and boat ports may be considered legal non-conforming and are allowed to continue to exist.

While not all buildings require a building permit, all buildings must comply with the Zoning By-law.

Docks on Township Property

In certain areas a municipal road travels between the water and the adjacent property.

For New Docks

A Shore Road Allowance Occupation Application for a new dock will be considered provided that:

• The applicant is the owner of the property directly across from the shoreline road allowance or has deeded access.
• The dock can be located at least 3 m (9' 10”) from the travelled portion of the road (a lesser setback may be permitted at the discretion of the Director of Public Works).
• The dock can meet the shoreline structure requirements.

New docks within the Village of Minden on the Gull River will not be permitted.

If approved, the applicant will be required to enter into a licence of occupation agreement with the Township and provide proof of insurance, in the amount of $5,000,000, naming the Corporation of the Township of Minden Hills as an additional insured.

For Existing Docks

Where a dock has legally existed prior to August 31, 2006, the dock may remain provided that:

• Any improvements are limited to the same size or square footage as the original dock, but not necessarily the same design and can meet the shoreline structure requirements.
• Any renovation or replacement of the dock that is more than 10% of an original road allowance leading to water must be relocated directly in front of the applicant's property and meet the shoreline structure requirements.

For Docks on Minden's Riverwalk

No new docks are permitted. Existing docks may remain and any improvements are limited to the same size or square footage as the original dock, but not necessarily the same design and can meet the shoreline structure requirements.

• The dock platform and any supporting members must be structurally sound.
• The dock shall be securely anchored to the shoreline, the use of rope is not an acceptable method.
• The shoreline access to the dock should be achieved by appropriate “ramping” with no hazardous gaps in the approach.
• There will not be sharp metal objects from any part of the dock or its anchoring systems. The metal pieces shall be properly protected.

Shoreline Tree Preservation

The County of Haliburton oversees shoreline tree preservation on behalf of the four lower tier municipalities within the County.

Shoreline Preservation

The County of Haliburton oversees the shoreline preservation on behalf of the four lower tier municipalities within the County.