Overview

Placing testing equipment on Crown land requires written authorization from the ministry, except in certain circumstances as set out in Ontario Regulation 161/17. Testing equipment includes either:

The rules

You are authorized to erect, place or use certain kinds of testing equipment on Crown land (also called public land) if you follow all our rules. These rules are set out in Ontario Regulation 161/17 under the Public Lands Act. Additional requirements are set out under s. 21.1 of the Public Lands Act which provides authority to make Ontario Regulation 161/17.

Ontario Regulation 239/13 also under the Public Lands Act says that if you follow all these rules you also do not need a work permit to erect, place or use environmental monitoring equipment or mobile wind testing equipment on Crown land.

Environmental monitoring equipment

This includes any device or apparatus used for investigating, researching or monitoring air, water, flora or fauna, as well as required ancillary equipment, structures or fencing (for example, solar panels or batteries).

It does not include environmental monitoring equipment used for investigating, researching or monitoring oil, gas, salt or hydrogen or any activity regulated under the Geologic Carbon Storage Act, 2025.

For full requirements refer to Ontario Regulation 161/17 and s. 21.1 of the Public Lands Act.

Using environmental monitoring equipment

To use environmental monitoring equipment on Crown land, you must:

  • submit for registration the location and type of equipment and receive confirmation from the ministry at least 10 days before starting any work
  • ensure your equipment does not occupy more than 100 contiguous square metres of land
  • ensure your equipment is not taller than 10 metres
  • remove your equipment within 3 years
  • ensure the lands are not permanently altered, excavated or filled
  • ensure the lands are not part of a road, trail, parking lot or boat launch
  • not store equipment on Crown land when not in use
  • 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

Monitoring wells

For monitoring wells, you must:

  • follow all applicable requirements under Regulation 903: Wells
  • ensure your borehole is no wider than 122.6 millimetres (equal to a Prime Quarter or PQ drill bit)
  • ensure all drilling fluids, cuttings and mud remaining on public lands are contained and left more than 30 metres from any water body

Mobile wind testing equipment

This includes any device or apparatus used for investigating, researching or monitoring air, as well as required ancillary equipment, structures or fencing (for example, solar panels or batteries).

For full requirements refer to Ontario Regulation 161/17 and s. 21.1 of the Public Lands Act.

Using mobile wind testing equipment

To use mobile wind testing equipment on Crown land you must:

  • submit for registration the location and type of equipment and receive confirmation from the ministry at least 10 days before starting any work
  • ensure your equipment does not occupy more than 200 contiguous square metres of land
  • ensure your equipment is not taller than 10 metres
  • ensure your equipment is not located within 15 metres of other wind testing equipment
  • remove your equipment within 3 years
  • ensure the lands are not permanently altered, excavated or filled
  • ensure the lands are not part of a road, trail, parking lot or boat launch
  • not store equipment on Crown land when not in use
  • 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

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 Placement of Environmental Monitoring Equipment or Mobile Wind Testing Equipment, as applicable.

Step 2: Receive confirmation

  1. You will receive confirmation of registration by email.
  2. Save this email and follow any instructions it contains.

When you need occupational authority

You will need authorization in the form of occupational authority (such as a land use permit) if you cannot meet all these rules.

If you need to leave your equipment on Crown land longer than 3 years, then you will need to apply for occupational authority (for example, a land use permit or lease).

Find out how to buy or rent Crown land.

You may be charged and fined if you do not register your equipment beforehand 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 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 on a spill

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

Related requirements

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

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

If you are working with fish or wildlife, you may need:

You may also need to check with:

Installing testing equipment does not give you any right, title or interest in the land.