Zorra-Now-Fall 2025-WEB

TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 4 Zorra Now | Fall 2025 Zorra Now | Fall 2025 5 COMMUNITY EVENTS & SERVICES MAGAZINE Any building or drainage questions should be addressed to Mike Hughes, Chief Building Official/Drainage Superintendent 519-425-2306 or mhughes@zorra.ca Building Permit Applications To apply for a building or septic permit, please visit the Building & Drainage section of the Township website for full details and instructions. All permit applications must be submitted online through Cloudpermit. First-time users will need to create an account before starting an application. Step-by-step instructions on how to register and use Cloudpermit are also available on our website to guide you through the process. Drainage Legal Outlets With the pressure of too much work and not enough time, there may be a temptation to take shortcuts. This is a reminder that the following are NOT legal outlets: • Roadside Ditches: You can only use roadside ditches as an outlet if permission is granted by the road authority. If permission is granted, we recommend that you secure the permission in WRITING. • Private Ditches: Private ditches are private infrastructure and unless permission is given, another property owner has no right to connect a newly installed tile drainage system to a private ditch that flows across a neighbouring property. Similar to using a roadside ditch as an outlet, if permission is given, make sure it is in WRITING. If work needs to be done on the neighbouring property, make sure all parties are clear on cost-sharing and also that all parties are clear on the extent of work and the potential disruption of land. Public Works Department Share the Road Farm operations are always extremely active in the fall with harvest season. Please pay special attention to the large equipment moving about on Zorra roads. Especially during this busy time of the year, we like everyone to share the road equally, be aware, and be courteous. We know farmers are extremely busy during harvest time and it is important to take that extra care regardless of which vehicle they are using. Brush, Leaf and YardWaste Depot Zorra has a Depot for brush, leaf, and yard waste. Located across the road from the Kintore Public Works Shop at 783045 Road 78, just east of Highway 19. • Acceptable materials include: fruits and vegetables, garden hedge and tree trimmings, grass, leaves, Halloween pumpkins, house and garden plants, brush (no longer than 6ft). and Christmas trees. • Unacceptable materials include: garbage, old fencing, plastic bags, hazardous waste, top soil, rocks, and stumps. This depot is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no charge for this service. Construction Zone Sign Classification In a Construction Zone, “Local Traffic Only” means you are accessing a property inside the section of road that is closed. It does NOT mean that you live in the area adjacent to the construction and the closed road is the shortest distance to your destination. It is a Highway Traffic Act Offence to misuse this privilege. Steve Oliver, Director of Public Services 519-425-2302 or soliver@zorra.ca Building Department Building Permit A building permit is the written authorization which grants legal permission to begin demolition or construction of any structure, addition, or renovation. It is reviewed and issued when a complete application has been submitted and the plans comply with the Ontario Building Code, the Township of Zorra Zoning By-Law and other applicable laws and regulations. What Happens if I do NOT get a Building Permit? Constructing or altering a structure without a building permit may result in numerous problems, including: • Not confirming with the Ontario Building Code, Zorra Zoning By-Laws, or other applicable laws • Putting yourself and others at risk • Putting yourself at liability should an injury occur to someone while visiting your property as a result of a structure not confirming to the Ontario Building Code • Extra costs to reconstruct, replace or remove the structure • Increased permit fees and possible fines • Insurance protection nullification • Difficulty selling the property • Complaints from neighbours Unsure if you require a building permit for your project? Visit the Building section on the Township website for examples or contact the Building Department. Reminders • Decks and/or pool decks that are 12 inches or more in height require a building permit. If you have had a deck built over the spring and summer months that is 12 inches in height or greater, please notify the Building Department as soon as possible. You will be required to apply for a permit and arrange an inspection(s). • If you plan to replace an existing structure, you are required to apply for a building permit. • If your project is complete, please book a final inspection on Cloudpermit. It is important that all required inspections are completed. You may be subject to a fee if your permit remains open. • Municipal Drains: Municipal drains have a defined watershed; the lands within that watershed have paid for the construction and management of that drain and only these lands have the right to connect to the municipal drain. If you are installing tile drainage on a property, it is possible that only a portion of that property has the legal right to connect into that drain. If you are not sure, check with the local drainage superintendent before undertaking the work. If there is a section of land that is outside the limits of the watershed, you must ask for permission to connect those lands to the drain. • Wetland or low area: Sometimes it’s tempting to outlet a tile drainage system into a wetland area, particularly if the wetland is located on your client’s property. However, before doing so, you should examine the area to determine if the out letting of the tile drainage system could be any impact on other property owners. If there could be, don’t do it without first acquiring permission. If a property owner is unable to secure an outlet, that owner has the right to petition their municipality under the Drainage Act for an outlet. Although it takes longer to get the outlet using the Drainage Act, when it is done, you can have confidence that the tile drainage work you perform will not result in legal action. If you still decide to take shortcuts on legal outlets, remember that the courts consider the tile drainage contractor to be an expert. You may want to check out the liability risk of you and your business. COMMUNITY EVENTS & SERVICES MAGAZINE COMMUNITY EVENTS & SERVICES MAGAZINE