Overview

Ontario’s Crown lands, commonly referred to as public lands, includes areas of Ontario that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has stewardship responsibility for under the authority of the Public Lands Act.

These lands, which include the beds of most lakes and rivers, cover 77% of the province, excluding provincial parks and conservation reserves. Most Crown land in the province is in Northern Ontario. Crown land is important for the exercise of Aboriginal and treaty rights and also provides opportunities for:

  • economic development
  • tourism
  • recreation

Buying or renting Crown land

Individuals, incorporated organizations, municipalities and Indigenous communities may request to buy or rent Crown land. The Ministry rents and sells Crown land in the form of the following occupational authority types:

  • Crown patent (sale)
  • lease
  • easement
  • license
  • land use permit

Occupational authority is a legal agreement between the ministry and tenant. It outlines:

  • who can use the land and for how long
  • the rents and fees
  • any associated conditions

Generally, occupational authority is required to use or occupy Crown land, such as:

  • when you are placing buildings, other structures, or improvements (for example, septic system) on the land
  • when the land is to be used for commercial or industrial purposes
  • when you need exclusive use

There are also some occupations, as outlined in O. Reg 161/17 that do not require authority (e.g., docks), provided you meet the specified conditions. Learn more about the recreational activities on Crown land that do not require occupational authority.

Applications considered by the ministry

Our policies for the sale or rental of Crown land recognize the importance of projects that may provide socio-economic opportunity, especially to communities throughout Ontario. We work closely with these communities to make Crown land (excluding provincial parks and conservation reserves) available at market value to support local social and economic development.

The ministry’s primary focus for the disposition of Crown land is to:

  • support the social and economic development of municipalities and Indigenous communities
  • provide land for infrastructure, such as energy facilities, utilities and services

Where Crown land is proposed for these purposes, it is subject to:

The ministry will consider applications to buy or rent Crown land where the request is consistent with the ministry’s policies for the management and use of these lands. Some of the most common applications for Crown land that may be considered include:

The ministry will not consider applications to buy or rent Crown land for the following purposes:

  • new individual homes, dwellings, cottages, hunt camps, floating accommodations or other private recreational purposes, or expansions of these uses or private properties
  • development of docks or boathouses that do not front an individual’s private land

Costs associated with buying or renting Crown land

Crown land is just as valuable as private real estate.

We collect revenue when Crown land is sold or rented. Any associated prices (such as, sale and rental) are based on market value, and use the following policy and procedures to guide this process:

Annual fees and rents are regularly reviewed to ensure there is a fair return from those who use the lands.

Additional costs

In addition to the sale or rental price, applications may have additional associated costs, such as survey, appraisal and administrative fees which applicants are responsible for. The administrative fees are regularly reviewed to ensure they recover the cost of issuing dispositions and providing services to the beneficiaries of those dispositions and services.

Please contact the  ministry work centre  nearest to the Crown land you wish to use if you have any questions.

Applying to buy or rent Crown land

Before applying for Crown land:

  • review all information provided on this page to ensure your application is eligible for review
  • ensure that your occupation is not already permitted by  Ontario Regulation 161/17
  • confirm your request complies with the land use planning direction, provided in the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas 

Depending on the location and type of occupation, information requirements for your application may vary.

All applications to buy or rent Crown land are considered in accordance with the relevant crown land management and land use planning policies. Applications are also screened to the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Resource Stewardship and Development Projects in accordance with the ministry’s obligations under the Environmental Assessment Act.

Ontario has a legal obligation to consult with Indigenous communities, either:

  • where a requested disposition may adversely impact asserted established Aboriginal treaty rights
  • where a disposition involves lands that are subject to an Aboriginal land claim or agreement

You may be requested to undertake some aspects of consultation with impacted or interested Indigenous communities.

Application process

Once you have confirmed the location of Crown land that you would like to use, you can begin the application process by either:

Timeframe

The timeframe of the application review process may vary with the complexity of the request (for example, commercial development versus sale of shoreline reserves). The disposition process could take several years to complete and may include:

  • consultation
  • environmental assessment
  • valuation
  • survey
  • issuance of document

Once your application is reviewed

The ministry will review and consider your application to determine if it can be approved. If your application is approved the ministry will determine the type of occupational authority issued, consistent with ministry policies.

Application guidance

To ensure the most efficient processing of your application, include the following information with your complete application submission.

Please note that in addition to the information listed below, additional studies may be required depending on the location and nature of the application. Any additional studies required will be identified during application review. All application requirements, (for example, studies and associated costs) are the responsibility of the proponent.

Site plans

A site plan is used to understand the work proposed relative to the site and conditions. It should be a ‘to-scale’ drawing showing the location and detail proposed improvements in relation to relevant key features such as, but not limited to:

  • the boundary of proposed development
  • sketch of occupation proposed
  • buildings, structures and improvements existing and proposed within the subject area
  • access to the site
  • significant natural features
  • description of vegetation cover, all water and location of where photos are taken
  • any existing infrastructure on site

A site plan should also include a North arrow, normally pointing towards the top of the page, the scale of the site plan and any other relevant information relative to the proposed work.

Key maps

Key maps (scale between 1:100 000 and 1:50 000) are used to locate the general area of the application for Crown land. Applications must include a map that is ‘to-scale’ and depicts relevant key features, such as:

  • township fabric
  • ownership details
  • existing right of ways and access information
  • coordinates of the site
  • any waterbodies

Photos

Photos should:

  • be clear and unobstructed in snow free conditions
  • be taken with good light
  • provide a wide-angle view of the site

They can also provide a detailed view of something specific and relevant to the application. If possible, indicate the direction and relate the locations identified on the site plan.

Project description

May include, but is not limited to:

  • the purpose and rationale
  • details of the project (location, duration, recurrence, etc.)
  • alternatives considered
  • mitigation measures integral to the design, scope
  • relationship to other projects

Corporate profile report

If the applicant is a corporation, a current Corporate Profile Report is required.

When applying, additional supporting information may be requested, including:

  • written confirmation of private landowner(s) (if applicable) for example where the proposal intends to cross private land (for example, access road)
  • consent to represent landowner(s) (if applicable) to indicate that someone can act on behalf of the landowner(s). For example, if an individual is representing a cottage association or other landowners where a proposal serves multiple interests
  • land ownership information (as applicable) including recent PIN, plans, mining claim or lease number