Road Permits and Applications

Property owners or their representatives must apply to the District for a Permit when:

• A temporary access is required
• An entrance is desired to vacant property where no entrance exists
• A new building is to be constructed on vacant land
• A property owner is requesting a change to an existing entrance 
• Required for all new entrances or alternations to existing entrances
• New entrances must be identified by staking desired location
• Permit fee applies - $118.00 + hst.
  
  

Application for Entrance Permit         

Resources to Help

• Access Policy 
• By-Law 87-50 
  
  

For more information or assistance in completing the application process, please contact the Engineering and Public Works Department.  
Phone: 705-645-6764
Email: publicworks@muskoka.on.ca 

License of Occupation Permits are required for any structure such as a dock, boathouse or utilities being constructed or transferred by the adjacent landowner, on a District road.

Protect yourself and your assets by ensuring a License of Occupation is in place with the District. 

• Application processing fee must accompany Application
• If approved, a legal fee of $219 (plus HST) will be charged to prepare the agreement
• Annual fees will apply to maintain License of Occupation as per agreement 
  
  

License of Occupation Application  

For more information or assistance in completing the application process, please contact the Engineering and Public Works Department. 
Phone: 705-645-6764
Email: publicworks@muskoka.on.ca  

To maintain an attractive appearance in our community and to ensure a safe environment, the District regulates the use of signs on District roads in an effort to avoid clutter and ensure safety for traffic and pedestrians. 

• Permit is required for permanent or temporary signs
• Permitted within 400 meters of District right-of-way with approved application
• Permit fee of $44.00 + hst applies.
  
  

Sign Permit Application 

For more information or assistance in completing the application process, please contact the Engineering and Public Works Department. 
Phone: 705-645-6764
Email: publicworks@muskoka.on.ca 

A special event permit is required for any event that uses a District Road.  There are two types of agreements that can be applied for on District Roads, a Road Closure or a Road Usage.  The definitions and requirements of each are outlined further below:

Road Closure

A road closure involves the complete closure of a District roadway to all vehicular traffic.  All road closure applications must meet the following criteria, at minimum, to be considered as a complete for approval.  Only complete applications will be accepted for any proposed new or recurring Special Events:

1.     Completion of a Temporary Road Usage Permit Application;  

2.     A Certificate of Insurance (COI) which includes The District Municipality of Muskoka as an additional insured.  If you have questions on insurance coverage requirements, please contact Jennifer Kelly, Purchasing and Risk Management Advisor at jennifer.kelly@muskoka.on.ca or by calling 705-645-2100 (ext. 4297)

3.     Detailed mapping showing the planned locations of any closure(s) and proposed detour.  This must include the dates and times of the proposed closure(s) and detour(s).

4.     Inclusion of a Traffic Control Plan (TCP) prepared by a qualified person (QP).  A qualified person is considered to be anyone who is trained and competent in complying with the requirements of Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7 as developed by the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.  A TCP includes signage and traffic notification requirements to ensure public safety during any event for road closure or usage (similar to construction work).  A QP often includes staff from either a transportation consultant, roads contractor or traffic control service provider.  Sample traffic plans can be shared by contacting Kim Holtby, Administrative Support Clerk at kim.holtby@muskoka.on.ca or by calling 705-645-6764.

5.       Applicants are required to include a supporting memo from the QP indicating that they have prepared their TCP in compliance with MTO Book 7 as part of their application.  Note that applicants are required to provide, install and remove any and all event related signage and traffic control requirements at their cost as well as ensure that Emergency Services have been given preliminary notification of the event (including Fire, Ambulance and Police).

 Road Usage

A road usage involves occupation of any portion of the road right-of-way and can include road shoulders, lanes and sidewalks.  Vehicle traffic is allowed to flow through the event as normal or traffic is slightly altered to accommodate the event (using a portion of a single lane, for example).  Any road usage which affects or impedes the normal operation of traffic within a District roadway is subject to the same requirements listed above for a Road Closure.  While still requiring a special event agreement, special event applications that do not interfere with or impede normal traffic patterns (meaning no lane encroachments) can be considered for exemption from the TCP requirements outlined above on a case-by-case basis.  All other submission requirements would still apply.  Applicants are encouraged to contact the District Public Works Department with any questions or concerns regarding which type of requirements are applicable to their event.

Upon receipt of a complete application for a road closure or usage, staff will undertake the following in order to facilitate an agreement for the Event:

1.     Complete a review of the application form, event mapping, COI and review the proposed TCP;

2.     Follow-up with the applicant on any questions, concerns or clarifications which may be required in order to process the request;

3.     Once the items above are resolved, prepare the necessary agreement or permit to allow the event to occur.

All applicants are advised that the 90-day submission lead time requirement is considered to have started only when a complete application is received.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for further approval until any omissions in the application are resolved. 

Temporary Road Usage Permit Application  

For more information or assistance in completing the application process, please contact the Engineering and Public Works Department. 
Phone: 705-645-6764
Email: publicworks@muskoka.on.ca

If you are planning any activity, event, etc. that will affect normal road operations, you’ll need a Road Occupation Permit.

You need to get this permit before you start any work, or before advertising/confirming your event or use of road. You’ll need a permit if your work will:

• Restrict road access
• Disrupt vehicle or pedestrian traffic flow
• Put materials of any kind on the road
• Place a moving container or disposal bin on the road
• Store construction or landscaping materials beyond private property
• Cross the boulevard to gain site access where there is no depressed curb or paved driveway
• Involve workers on the road
• Obstruct the sidewalk with workers or equipment

Roadway Occupation Permit Application  

For more information or assistance in completing the application process, please contact the Engineering and Public Works Department. 
Phone: 705-645-6764
Email: publicworks@muskoka.on.ca 

A Permit is required for any vehicle travelling on a District road carrying a load that is over length, height, width or weight as described in the Ministry of Transportation - Highway Traffic Act 413/05.

Over-Dimensional Overweight Permit Application 

For more information or assistance in completing the application process, please contact the Engineering and Public Works Department. 
Phone: 705-645-6764
Email: publicworks@muskoka.on.ca 

Applications for usage of James Bartleman Island Park are at the discretion of the District. All proposed events must be submitted with application at least 90 days prior to the event.  The application fee is $57.96 + hst.  If event exceeds four hours, Committee and Council approval may be required. 

James Bartleman Island Park Usage Permit Application  

Resources

• By-Law 2011-44
• Site Plan

For more information or assistance in completing the application process, please contact the Engineering and Public Works Department. 
Phone: 705-645-6764
Email: publicworks@muskoka.on.ca