Ontario Power Generation
WATERFRONT LICENSING
OPG is the owner of lands beneath and along the shoreline of various bodies of water in Ontario. These lands were acquired during the development of hydro-electric facilities that generate electricity for the province. OPG provides adjoining residential land owners the right to cross and passively use OPG waterfront lands by way of its Waterfront Licensing Program.
First initiated in 2000, the Waterfront Licensing Program has been implemented on several rivers, lakes, and waterways on which OPG owns lands in Ontario – including the Ottawa, St. Lawrence and Madawaska Rivers, and at Lake Eugenia - with over 1500 active waterfront licences issued to residential owners adjoining OPG lands across the province.
For any questions regarding your Waterfront Licence or the program, please contact:
OPG Waterfront Licensing Program
Tel. 1-866-736-9621 (toll-free)
Fax. 416-592-8115
E-mail waterfront@opg.com
Real Estate Services
Ontario Power Generation
700 University Avenue, H18 E8
Toronto, ON M5G 1X6
Waterfront Licence
What is a Waterfront License?
A Waterfront Licence is a document issued by OPG in order to provide residential owners whose property adjoins OPG waterfront lands, legal permission to cross and passively use OPG lands. The licence comes at no cost and is valid for a term of 5 years.
How do I know if I require a Waterfront Licence?
If you cross OPG land located between your property and the water, you require a Waterfront Licence. If you are unsure about whether a licence is required, property owners are encouraged to contact OPG.
Docks and Shoreline Improvements
I am in possession of a current Waterfront License. What if I want to install a dock or make improvements to the shoreline?
New docks (floating or removable pipe docks), marine docking equipment, and shoreline improvement work requires permits and approval from both OPG and other governmental authorities having jurisdiction over their installation. Please note that permanent structures are prohibited on OPG waterfront.
Depending on your area, approval requirements may vary. Please contact OPG prior to commencing any new installation or replacement of a dock, or performing any alteration to the shoreline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the licence cost?
There is no fee for the licence. The licence agreement will indicate a nominal $2.00 fee, however payment is already considered exchanged. The licences carry only a nominal fee to facilitate the widespread acceptance of the licence in order that OPG may better manage its operational lands along the river/lake.
Am I responsible for property taxes?
OPG pays the property taxes for these waterfront lands like any other landowner. If, by way of your use of the lands as Licensee, the property is assessed for additional taxes, the Waterfront Licence allows OPG to recover those taxes from the Licensee. This circumstance may occur if there is a non-permitted building or business operating on the licensed land which increases the tax assessment. If you are using the land strictly for access to the water, and to maintain only the usual waterfront structures such as a recreational dock, it is unlikely there would be any additional taxes from your use of the land.
What is the term of the licence?
The term of the licence is limited to five years. It is current OPG practice that prior to expiry of the Licence, Licensees in good standing will receive in the mail a new licence for another five year term, except in the unlikely event that the lands have become unsafe or are otherwise required by operations.
The licence is non-transferable, thus upon the sale of your land or a change on title, the licence will expire. If you sell your property, please advise the purchaser to contact OPG to obtain a licence application package.
Can a licence be cancelled or revoked?
The licence may be terminated if a licensee is in violation of any terms of the agreement. OPG also reserves the right to cancel the licence, upon 30 days written notice, in the unlikely event that an operational issue arises that would require OPG to use the land for its business.
What am I committing to under “Release and Indemnity”?
Licensees and their invitees, use OPG’s waterfront lands at their own risk. OPG recommends that Licensees confirm that their residential insurance policy covers their use of OPG’s land and any damages that might occur to the Licensee’s personal improvements. If adjoining residents are unwilling to take responsibility for their use of OPG’s waterfront lands by signing an OPG Waterfront Licence, they must refrain from entering onto OPG property.
What if I want to install/replace a dock or make alterations to the shoreline?
These works require permits and approvals from governmental authorities, (currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Department of Fisheries & Oceans, Transport Canada) and from OPG as owner of the lands along the waterfront. Prior to commencing any new installation or replacement of a dock, or performing any alteration to the shoreline, OPG must be contacted. OPG will provide you with a checklist to assist you in the completion of your project according to regulation and the requirements of your Waterfront Licence.
What about improvements belonging to the Licencee?
Any improvements belonging to a Licensee and currently located on OPG waterfront lands (e.g. grandfathered docks & boathouses) must be listed in the licence agreement.
If the Licensee chooses to terminate the Licence by selling the adjoining property, and the new purchaser declines the OPG Waterfront Licence and/or ownership of the improvements situated on the OPG lands, the former Licensee will be requested to remove these improvements from the land, and to restore the land to a condition satisfactory to OPG.
Where OPG approval or consent is required, what is the process and timeline for obtaining the necessary approvals?
OPG approval or consent is required for any changes or improvements upon the land. If you want to install a floating/pipe dock or shoreline improvements on OPG’s land, please inform us and we will send a checklist to guide you through the permitting process. Due to the involvement of other government organizations, such as the Ministry of Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and other local Conservation Authorities, we cannot give a guaranteed timeline but OPG will do its best to process our part of your request in a timely manner.
In lieu of a licence, can we purchase the land with the understanding that there are fluctuations in the water levels and that OPG would not be responsible for damage to property?
No. OPG manages these lands under the WFL Program in order to maintain a consistent and equitable approach to adjoining residential owners located along OPG-owned waterfront.
How does this affect commercial properties and/or expansions to the use of our property eg. mobile home parks?
The OPG Waterfront Licence is applicable to residential adjoining owners only. OPG will review commercial properties separately on a case-by-case basis.
Contact Info
OPG Waterfront Licensing Program
Tel. 1-866-736-9621 (toll-free)
Fax. 416-592-8115
E-mail waterfront@opg.com
Ontario Power Generation
700 University Avenue, H18 E8
Toronto, ON M5G 1X6
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