Application standards for proposed pits and quarries
The Aggregate Resources of Ontario: Provincial Standards, Version 1.0 sets out the application process for proposed pits and quarries under the Aggregate Resources Act. The standards also identify the criteria for licence, permit and wayside permit applications.
If you are a potential applicant, please contact ARAapprovals@ontario.ca for more information on how to apply.
New application requirements for pits and quarries came into effect on April 1, 2021.
Application requirements in the Aggregate Resources of Ontario: Provincial Standards, Version 1.0 do not apply to applications received on or after April 1, 2021.
For more information about the new application requirements, read how to apply for a licence or permit.
Aggregate licences on private land and designated areas
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 1 - Class A Pit Below Water (PDF, 201 KB, 20 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 2 - Class A Quarry Below Water (PDF, 204 KB, 21 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 3 - Class A Pit Above Water (PDF, 208 KB, 20 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 4 - Class A Quarry Above Water (PDF, 209 KB, 20 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 5 - Class B Pit Below Water (PDF, 201 KB, 19 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 6 - Class B Quarry Below Water (PDF, 202 KB, 19 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 7 - Class B Pit Above Water (PDF, 200 KB, 19 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 8 - Class B Quarry Above Water (PDF, 201 KB, 19 pages)
We will strive to acknowledge receipt of an aggregates licence application and confirm whether the application requirements have been met within 20 calendar days of receipt, under normal circumstances.
Aggregate permits on Crown land
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 9 - Pit Above Water (PDF, 190 KB, 16 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 10 - Pit Below Water (PDF, 180 KB, 16 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 11 - Quarry Above Water (PDF, 182 KB, 17 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 12 - Quarry Below Water (PDF, 184 KB, 17 pages)
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 13 - Aggregate Permit Extraction for Land Under Water (PDF, 180 KB, 16 pages)
Forest industry
Some Crown land pits operated by the forest industry are regulated under the provisions of the Forest Management Planning Manual.
- Forest Management Planning Manual for Ontario’s Crown Forests (PDF, 5.67 MB, 464 pages)
Wayside permits
- Provincial Standards of Ontario - Category 15 - Wayside Permits for Public Authority Projects (PDF, 193 KB, 18 pages)