What are the responsibilities of property owners regarding shorewalls?

Property owners in Lagoon City are responsible for:

• Construction and maintenance of the shorewall along their property abutting the canals, as outlined in Bylaw 2017.25
• Obtaining necessary permits from the Township and L.S.R.C.A.

What permits are required for shorewalls?

Shorewall works require a permit from:

• the Township of Ramara requires a completed Ramara Shorewall Permit Application Package  along with a $75 fee. The completed shorewall package can be uploaded to the online permit application.
• the – L.S.R.C.A. - Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

Shorewalls are engineered structures. Bylaw 2017.25 contains engineered drawings for standardized shorewalls in Lagoon City. As a property owner you are required to hire your own engineer to sign-off on the works conducted on your shorewall to ensure it meets the bylaw.

What are the responsibilities of the LCPWC over shorewalls?

The Lagoon City Parks & Waterways (the “Commission”) has authority over the Lagoon City shorewalls through provincial legislation Bill Pr11 and Township of Ramara Bylaw 2017.25.

The Township has an easement over the first 10 feet of land from the shorewall, which allows the Commission to enter your lands to conduct shorewall inspections.

If a property owner does not construct or maintain the shorewall in good repair, the Commission may do repairs to the shorewall, at the property owner's expense. These charges shall be deemed as taxes and may be levied and collected by the Township.

The Commission will get a quote for the required shorewall works. The property owner will be advised of the works that will be completed by the Commission along with a copy of the quotation. The property owner will have the opportunity to make oral or written representation to the Commission as to the necessity of repair or cost of construction or repair of the property work. The Commission will consider any objection, confirm or vary the proposed work and advise the property owner of its decision.

What are the steps for Shorewall Repairs?

1. Contact a qualified shorewall repair contractor or engineer. Meet with a few to determine one who best meets your needs;
2. If you have a shorewall report, review this with your contractor/engineer and obtain an estimate for repairs;
3. Decide with your contractor/engineer how you are going to repair/replace your wall. Bylaw 2017.25 contains standardized drawings;
4. If it is determined repairs are required, complete Ramara Shorewall Permit Application Package and apply for a permit through the Township along with the $75 fee. Approval must be obtained from the Township's Shorewall Permit Administrator;
5. Obtain your Township of Ramara shorewall permit, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and any other permit that may be required. Your contractor or engineer may obtain these permits on your behalf;
6. Contact Ontario One Call at 1(800)400-2255 and obtain locates before you dig;
7. Arrange for the construction;
8. Arrange for your engineer to sign-off on all permits issued by the Township and the L.S.R.C.A. in order to close the files.

Closing your permit...

Your engineer will inspect your completed wall and provide the Township with a final report of completion to be submitted to the Shorewall Permit Coordinator. Once it has been accepted the permit file will be closed and deemed completed. 

Bylaw 2017.25 can be found accessed at this link

Shorewall Permit Application Package  

(includes the application form, owner's authorization and declaration of design form.)