If your garage, shed, or other structure is located partially on property owned by the City of Kenora or over an easement or right-of-way, you may need a letter of comfort (encroachment agreement) to keep it there.
A letter of comfort is a formal acknowledgement by the City to allow the structure to remain as is, so long as the City of Kenora does not require that land for any purpose. It is the policy of the City of Kenora that there shall be no unauthorized encroachments onto municipal property or road allowances.
View the application fees.
If you are the owner or the tenant of the property, you can apply for a letter of comfort. However, the property owner must sign the agreement.
Book a pre-consultation meeting
Before filing an application, you must contact the Planning Division to set up a pre-consultation meeting. During the meeting, we will outline what you need to include in your planning application, including the planning rationale.
Application process
Review the application process.
Submit a complete application |
Please submit your complete application to the City Hall, located at 1 Main St. S. Complete the application with the following:
Please noteApplications must be signed by the owner in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths. Contact the City Clerk or the Planning Division for an appointment to commission your documents. This service is free of charge. |
Fees |
It costs $350 (HST included) in order to submit an application for a letter of comfort. Depending on the application process, you incur additional fees, such as:
All fees are non-refundable even if your application is denied. |
Application review |
Once submitted, the Planning Division will circulate your application to various other City departments and external agencies for comments:
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Decision |
A decision will be made within two to three weeks of the application being deemed complete. All decisions on Letter of Comfort applications are made by City Staff and are final. Each application will be evaluated on its own merit, on a case-by-case basis. |
After you receive approval |
If approved, you must provide an insurance certificate agreement that indemnifies and saves harmless the City of Kenora from all loss, costs, damages, expenses, claims, and demands whatsoever to which the Corporation, may be put or which it may suffer or sustain in which it may be liable by reason of anything done or omitted to be done in the construction, maintenance, alteration, or operation of structure(s) consisting the encroachment. Please contact your insurance provider to discuss the insurance certificate. |
Frequently asked questions
View our frequently asked questions for more details about the application process.
When is a property identified to require a letter of comfort? |
The requirement for a letter of comfort can be identified:
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Do trees require a letter of comfort? |
No. A letter of comfort is not required for trees. Please contact the City of Kenora's Parks Division prior to planting trees on City property. Features like hedges or shrubbery also do not require a letter of comfort unless the feature is used to determine a boundary. |
Can I appeal the decision if my application is rejected? |
No. Staff decisions are final for Letter of Comfort applications. |
When might a letter of comfort be required? |
A Letter of Comfort is required when a privately-owned structure or item is located partially on City property. The City of Kenora, in some cases, may grant a Letter of Comfort if the encroachment is considered minor or non-intrusive, or if the lands are not required for City purposes. Examples of encroachments we will consider:
Examples of encroachments that will not be considered:
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When will a letter of comfort not be granted? |
Generally, the City will not grant approval for the following reasons:
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Additional resources
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