Online Permit Application

Before beginning the application process, you should consult with GRCA about your project. To find a GRCA resource planner responsible for your area, visit our Contact a Planner page. You can also call 519-621-2761 or email planning@grandriver.ca to get details on what is needed for your project. Be sure to consult with your local municipality to determine if any permits are required from their office.

This website will guide you through the process of submitting an online permit application for work in the Grand River watershed. In order to submit an application, you must be the owner of the property listed on the application or their agent. You must be prepared to provide personal details and payment information. It will take approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete the online permit application. The application process is broken down into six main steps:

Permit fees will be verified by GRCA staff after reviewing the application. Plans which require paper larger than 8½ by 11 inches to be readable must be provided by hard copy after submitting your online application. Four copies of each plan are required for issuance of a permit from the GRCA.

Quick Links

Read the general conditions of a permit application in our General Conditions reference document.

For an overview of permit types and to view the fee schedule, please visit our GRCA permit fee schedule page.

You cannot apply for a permit online if any of the following are true:

You have already started your project
You wish to make changes to an existing permit
You are applying for work on a property owned by the GRCA
You are applying for work being implemented through the Rural Water Quality Program (RWQP)
Your project will include bringing in large amounts of fill (see below)

Please note that once you begin filling in your application, your information is only maintained in the web browser until you submit your application at the end of the process. You cannot start and save your application part of the way through the process.

Large Fill

The GRCA online permit application process does not currently accept applications for works that involve adding large amounts of fill to your property. These applications usually require “large fill” permits and involve above 1000 cubic metres of material (approximately 100 standard dump truck loads) being brought into a property. Should you have questions or wish to apply for a permit to bring fill onto your property, please contact the GRCA resource planner for the subject area. A full list of planners can be found on our Contact a Planner page.