Overview

Drilling boreholes and excavating test pits or trenches are geotechnical investigative methods used to help determine soil, bedrock and groundwater characteristics. These types of investigations are often needed prior to development or aggregate extraction.

As outlined under Ontario Regulation 239/13, you need a work permit for geotechnical investigations that involve drilling or excavation on Crown land (also called public land), except in certain situations. Geotechnical investigations do not include exploring for or producing hydrogen or helium, or any activity regulated under the Geologic Carbon Storage Act, 2025, the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act or Part IV of the Mining Act.

The rules

You do not need a work permit to conduct geotechnical drilling of boreholes or excavating test pits or trenches for investigative purposes on Crown land if you follow all rules. These rules are set out in Ontario Regulation 239/13 under the Public Lands Act.

For full requirements refer to Ontario Regulation 239/13.

Drilling boreholes

  • You must submit for registration the location of your boreholes and receive confirmation from the ministry at least 10 days ahead of time.
  • You may drill no more than 10 boreholes within 100 metres of each registered location.
  • Each borehole must be no wider than 122.6 millimetres (equal to a Prime Quarter or PQ drill bit).
  • You must plug and seal all boreholes after sampling before moving your equipment.
  • You must complete work within 30 days of the start date.
  • You must keep the confirmation of registration onsite during work and make it available, if requested.
  • Work must be overseen by a professional engineer (under the Professional Engineers Act) or professional geoscientist (under the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000).
  • If you discover an artifact (such as a stone tool), you must stop work and contact your local ministry work centre by email immediately. If you are not sure what you have discovered, you should contact the ministry.

Drilling on dry land

If drilling on dry land, you must:

  • ensure all drilling fluids, cuttings and mud are contained to the work area and are at least 30 metres from any waterbody
  • cross-pile drill cores in an orderly manner no higher than 1.5 metres and at least 30 metres from any waterbody

Drilling in-water

If drilling in-water, you must:

  • operate any wheeled or tracked machinery or equipment on dry land, on ice or on a barge or vessel
  • properly install and maintain sediment controls around the area and remove them only when work is complete and sediments have settled
  • use only water-based drilling fluid
  • not carry out work during fish spawning season or during the time of other critical fish life stages set out in the In-water Work Timing Window Guidelines

Groundwater monitoring wells are not included as a type of geotechnical investigation. If you install a groundwater monitoring well, you must follow all the rules for environmental monitoring equipment in Ontario Regulation 161/17. Refer to Testing equipment on Crown land for more information.

Test pits and trenches

  • You must submit for registration the location of your test pit and receive confirmation from the ministry at least 10 days ahead of time.
  • Your test pit must be located within 10 metres of the registered location.
  • You must complete work within 30 days of the start date.
  • Your test pit must be no bigger than 15 square metres.
  • You must backfill your test pit or trench before removing your equipment.
  • You must keep the confirmation of registration onsite during work and make it available, if requested.
  • Work must be overseen by a professional engineer (under the Professional Engineers Act) or professional geoscientist (under the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000).
  • If you discover an artifact (such as a stone tool), you must stop work and contact your local ministry work centre by email immediately. If you are not sure what you have discovered, you should contact the ministry.

Registering your geotechnical investigations does not exempt you from needing other authorizations. Learn more about these additional requirements.

View active registrations

Check the Crown Land Viewer to find out what has already been registered on Crown lands.

How to register

Step 1: Register

  1. Use the Crown Land Viewer mapping tool to confirm Crown land availability, and determine the geographic point of your proposed work and local ministry work centre.
  2. Fill out the Registration Form for Geotechnical Investigations.

Step 2: Receive confirmation

  1. You will receive confirmation of registration by email.
  2. Save this email and follow any instructions it contains.
  3. Keep your copy as proof of registration and ensure a copy is onsite at all times while conducting your investigation.

When you need a work permit

You will need a work permit if you cannot meet all the rules.

Find out how to apply for a work permit.

You may be charged and fined if you do not register the activity before beginning work or you do not follow the rules.

Pollution management

Suspected contamination

If you suspect that the area could be contaminated, you should contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources work centre

Using machinery

Machinery should be kept in clean condition and free from fluid leaks.

To avoid the spread of invasive species follow the Clean Equipment Protocol for Industry (PDF).

Report a spill

To report a spill, call the Spills Action Centreat 1-800-268-6060.

Related requirements

Before you start any work, find out whether additional authorizations are required.

For example, you may need other authorization from the ministry, including:

You may also need to check with:

Conducting geotechnical investigations does not give you any right, title or interest in the land.