TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 4 Zorra Now | Fall 2026 Zorra Now | Fall 2026 5 Any building or drainage questions should be addressed to Mike Hughes, Chief Building Official/Drainage Superintendent 519-425-2306 or mhughes@zorra.ca 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 Yard Waste 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. Building Permit Applications To apply for a building, demolition 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-bystep instructions on how to register and use Cloudpermit are also available on our website to guide you through the process. Building Resources Visit the Building Department webpage for helpful guides on decks, temporary tents, and additional residential units. These guides have been developed to help property owners understand applicable building requirements. While they are a useful resource, it is important to consult the Ontario Building Code to ensure your project complies with all applicable regulations and requirements. Building Permits and Property Assessment Improvements to your property may impact your property assessment. Changes such as additions, renovations, or new construction can affect the assessment value of your property as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). This may affect your property taxes. For more information on property assessment, please refer directly to MPAC’s website: http://www.mpac.ca/en/UnderstandingYourAssessment. 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. • 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. See Drainage FAQ on next page
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