Docks and Shorelines

In general, a building permit is needed for all buildings and structures greater than 10 m² (107.64 ft²) in area.

Buildings and structures under 10 m² (107.64 ft²) do not need a permit unless they contain plumbing but must still follow the City of Kenora’s Zoning and Building By-laws (including distance from property lines and height).

Excavations, renovation, additions and changes may need a permit. Please review the ’When do I need a building permit’ list available on our Building Permits page.

The City of Kenora Zoning By-law 101-2015 has provisions about the size, height, location and use of buildings.

• Shoreline structures are limited to the following: 
  • Boathouse (except in the Black Sturgeon Lake Zone [Restricted Development Area])
  • Boat port
  • Sauna
  • Gazebo or picnic shelter
  • Storage building
  • Pump house
  • Dock
  • Shoreline deck
• The accessory building or structure cannot be larger than 80 m² (861 ft²).
• Only one boathouse or boat port is allowed per lot, which cannot be larger than 83 m² (893.4 ft²) in area, measured independently of any other accessory building, use, or structure allowed.
• Boathouses and boat ports cannot project more than 15 m from the high-water mark.
• Docks cannot project more than 20 m from the high-water mark.
• A minimum side yard setback of 4.5 m is required for accessory uses located between the principal building and navigable waterway.

The high-water mark is defined in the Zoning By-law. 

If you have questions about zoning, please contact the planning department at planning@kenora.ca.

The Building By-law, includes rules for construction, demolition, change of use permits and inspections. The Building By-law includes the permit fee schedule.

A letter of approval or permit number (if applicable) from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) may be needed.

• This applies to all new or additions to existing docks, boat houses and boat ports where the total physical contact area of the structure on shore lands exceeds 15 m² (161 square feet). Shore lands (Crown lands) are defined as lands covered or seasonally inundated by the water of a lake, river, steam or pond.

Floating and cantilever docks, boathouses with cribs less than 15 m² and swim rafts do not require work permits issued by the MNR.

The MNR has established a timing window guideline to restrict in-water work related to activity during certain periods to protect fish from the impacts of works in and around water during spawning migrations and other critical life stages.  

You can apply online using Cloudpermit.

• Each separate structure needs a separate application, fee and permit.
• Each application for a shoreline structure must include:
  • The site plan
  • Detailed construction drawings
  • Schedule 1; if the drawings were not completed by an Architect or Engineer, the homeowner or designer must take responsibility for the design.

A site plan should have the following information:

• North arrow
• Scale
• Legal description, (lot and plan numbers)
• Lot dimensions
• Setbacks to all property lines for the existing dwelling and the proposed building or structure
• Easement location(s)
• Street name(s)
• Information for all existing buildings and structure(s) such as size and location.

Construction drawings will include as a minimum:

• A floor plan
• Four elevations
• At least one cross section

The construction drawings should have the following information:

• Size and height dimensions
• Size and spacing of studs, beams, posts, cribbing, pipe, steel pile, decking and stairs
• Concrete pier sizes, (depth and spacing), concrete slab information, (size, thickness and reinforcement details)
• Roof framing details, (trusses or rafter size and spacing)
• Anchoring and fastening details
• Location and size of all door and window openings
• Materials used

Steel docks (pipe docks) or docks that support a structure such as a boat port, boathouse, etc. are required to be designed by a Professional Engineer licensed to practice in the Province of Ontario. The Ontario Building Code states in sentence 4.3.4.1(1) that structural steel be designed in accordance with CAN/CSA S16 “limited states design of steel structures”. This design is needed for a building permit.

Pre-Engineered truss drawings must be provided with an application for permit, or prior to framing inspections.

Review the standard sample drawings for requirements. Please note you must prepare your own drawings. The sample drawings are for reference purposes only.

Additional drawings and details may be required.

Once you receive the building permit, please read the approved plans and documents carefully before starting work on the project. Pay special attention to any revisions (red marks) included on the permit documents.

• The construction must follow the approved plans.
• The building department must be notified of any changes made before or during construction.
• The building permit must be posted on the property in a conspicuous location.
• Inspections by the Building Department are required during construction.

Inspections are required during construction to make sure all work is in line with the approved plans. It is the responsibility of the property owner or authorized agent to request inspections. Inspections are requested through Cloudpermit. 

• Required inspections are listed on the building permit.
• Some key inspections include:
  • Footing inspection
  • Foundation inspection
  • Framing inspection
  • Final inspection
• Approved permit documents must be kept on site and available to the building inspector.

Failure to schedule inspections will result in not being allowed to occupy or use the accessory building and may also result in uncovering the work.