How should a resurvey of a cottage property be done so that it can be divided into two lots?
Severance regulations vary between municipalities, so call your local planning department first to find out if your property is eligible. Waterfront properties typically need a minimum of two acres and 200 feet of frontage to be eligible. The existence of archaeological sites, highway access points, protected habitats, and septic systems could all put the kibosh on your plans. Check the Ontario Professional Planners Institute website for a list of accredited consultants.
Once you have determined that you can sever, you will need to submit an application to the township’s planning department. The planning department circulates your application to neighbours, which, depending on the municipality, could include regional conservation authorities, the Ministry of Transportation, and First Nations bands. A public meeting will be held to review your application, followed by an appeals period that typically lasts three months. One of the conditions of approval will be a survey for the new lot. Finally, a lawyer draws up the new deed, and once the planning department stamps it, you will have officially created a brand-new piece of property.
