Topic

Existing Policies

New Policies

Effect

Watercourse Setbacks

Requires 30 metres from any watercourse

Removed

Policies are focused on natural hazard mandate.

Pollution and Conservation of Land

Required pollution and/or conservation of land to be considered as part of permit review.

Removed

Pollution and conservation of land were removed from the Act.

Ecological Function

Was a policy consideration.

Removed

Policies are focused on natural hazard mandate.

Additions to Existing Dwellings

Allows 20% up to 20m², or 50% up to 50m² subject to site and design criteria.

Allows 20m² or 50m² based on safe access availability.

Simplifies standard, slightly more permissive, particularly for existing small dwellings.

Roofline Overhangs

Allows 10% overhang, typically only allowed for eavestroughs and doorway awnings.

Allows up to cumulative total of 20m².

Will allow for small unenclosed covered decks or carports.

Safe Access

Allows maximum 0.3 m depth.

Allows safe access based on depth and velocity.

More permissive. Expected to provide more flexibility within the upper watershed.

Areas of Reduced Flood Risk

Allowed for increased development within specific built-up areas within the City of Ottawa where flood protection works were present

Changed name to Area Specific Flooding Hazard Policies and consolidated with other sections.

Removed Kingsview Park as applicable area in line with City of Ottawa changes.

Policies ultimately are more aligned with direction related to natural hazards.

Removed language contingent on municipal planning.

Placement of Fill

Allowed for minor placement of fill and balanced cut and fill

Limits minor placement of fill to 15 m³.

Refines balanced cut and fill policies by establishing technical guidelines.

Expands fill placement to support private sewage systems and floodproofing

Policies generally more permissive, however, improves clarity related to current implementation.

Meander Belts

No previous policies

New Erosion Hazard Policies for Meander Belts for Unconfined Valley Systems.

Modernizes policies to include natural hazard type included in Act

Dynamic Beaches

No previous policies

Added policies that will properly apply based on the type of regulated hazards for Petrie Island.

Modernizes policies to include natural hazard type included in Act

Shoreline Protection

Policies were specific to riverfront shorelines

Policies expanded to clarify current implementation, specifically related to beaches, hardscaping.

Language expanded to include lake shorelines.

Policies generally the same with how permits have been conducted

Sensitive Marine Clay

No previous policies

Added policies to require hazard to be assessed.

Policies generally promote protecting hazard, will be subject to technical guidance under development.

Bedrock Hazards

No previous polices

Added policies related to bedrock hazards, specifically karst formations

Modernizes policies to include natural hazard type included in Act

Watercourse interference

Was based primarily Hydrotechnical analysis

Policies expanded to include agricultural enclosures, and design requirements for crossings, channelization, realignment, dredging

Slightly more permissive, and provides additional clarity on activity specific requirements

Boat Houses, Boat Ports and Docks

Not permitted on river systems

Allows boat houses with restrictions to limit potential risks.

More permissive, aligns with municipal and federal partners.

Swimming Pools

All pools directed 30 meters back from watercourses

Limited location in floodplains

Above ground pools shall be restricted from floodplains and erosion hazards.

In-ground pools allowed subject to appropriate design.

Setbacks removed.

Policies generally more permissive and focuses on natural hazard.

Wetlands

Only Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs) and those in municipal Official Plans / zoning regulated

Allowed development between 30 and 120 metres

Further limited within 30 meters.

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Consultation on updated mapping paused.