The following are links and descriptions of documents that can be used as support materials for applicants preparing materials for Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) review.
The Living City Policies is TRCA’s policy document that, in combination with the Conservation Authorities Act and applicable regulations, guides TRCA staff in the review of planning and permit applications.
Ontario Regulation 686/21 prescribes the roles conservation authorities must fulfill in the review of planning and permit applications. In combination with the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24, it prescribes the responsibilities TRCA has in our permitting role and as a commenting agency under the Planning Act and other Acts such as the Environmental Assessment Act.
All applications to TRCA are made through and managed within the TRCA Application Portal. Additional information is provided in our Quick Links:
Links to policies, guidelines, checklists, and review fees are provided below.
Resources for Applicants:
Application Checklists and Guidelines
Materials available to assist applicants in preparing submissions to TRCA can be found below. For additional guidance, you may request a Pre-Application Consultation meeting..
Approved Document Names
Consultation with TRCA
Infrastructure Planning and Permit Applications
Application Forms
Administrative Review Fees
Application Streams
Application Submission Requirements
TRCA Permit Applications
- Submission Criteria for Homeowners
- Building a New Home
- Replacing an Existing Home
- Home Additions
- Non-Habitable Accessory Buildings or Structures and Landscaping
- Submission Criteria for Landowners and Developers
- Submission Criteria for Infrastructure Builders
TRCA Project Compliance Review (TPCR) Applications
Application Review Processes
- Planning Applications:
- Permit Applications:
- TRCA Project Compliance Review (TPCR) Applications:
- Hydro and Telecommunication Tower Applications:
- TRCA Permission to Enter and Archaeology Review Applications:
Detailed Procedures, Guidelines, Checklists,
Timelines, and Review Fees
Archaeological Review
Borehole Investigations
Channel Modifications
Culvert Management and Maintenance
Design and Planning Guidelines
- TRCA Field Staking Protocol
- TRCA Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines
- TRCA Guideline for Determining Ecosystem Compensation (Updated June 2023)
- TRCA Valley and Stream Corridor Crossings Guideline
- TRCA Evaluation, Classification and Management of Headwater Drainage Features Guideline
- Channel Modification Design and Submission Requirements
- TRCA Forest Edge Management Plan Guidelines
Ecosystem Compensation
Enforcement and Compliance
Environmental Impact Statements
Environmental Management Plans
Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines and Checklists
Feedermains & Forcemains
Flood Hazard Mapping & Flood Plain Management
Geotechnical Engineering
Green Infrastructure
Headwater Drainage Features
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
Land Dedication
Learn More About …
- Planning and Permits
- TRCA Planning and Permits Roles and Responsibilities
- The Role of a TRCA Planner
- Development Planning and Permits
- Infrastructure Planning and Permits
- How TRCA Coordinates with Other Agencies
- Permits for Homeowners
- Planning Act Review and Permits for Landowners and Developers
- How TRCA Defines Environmental Assessment Review
- Who is Responsible for Infrastructure Project Review at TRCA
- Municipal Infrastructure Project Review
- Provincial and Federal Infrastructure Project Review
- Institutional, Private, and Partially Private Infrastructure Project Review
- Oil, Gas and Utility Project Review
- TRCA’s Service Level Agreements with Infrastructure Partners
Legislation and Regulations
- Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24
- Environmental Assessment Acts:
- Fisheries Act
- Greenbelt Act
- Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act
- Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act
- Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
- Planning Act and Provincial Planning Statement
- Rouge National Urban Park Act and Regulations
Master Environmental Servicing Plans
Meander Belt
Permission to Enter TRCA-Owned Land
Quick Links to the TRCA Application Portal
Site Management
- Design and Planning Guidelines
- Erosion and Sediment Control Guide for Urban Construction
- Erosion and Sediment Control Submission Requirements Checklist
- Standard Notes for Environmental Assessment/Infrastructure Permit Applications
- Flora Species Native to the TRCA Jurisdiction (October 2022)
- Post-Construction Restoration Guidelines
- Preserving and Restoring Healthy Soil: Best Practices for Urban Construction
- Seed Mix Guideline (January 2022)
Solicitor or Realtor Property Inquiries
Staking
Stormwater Management
- TRCA Stormwater Management Criteria Document: Includes water balance for natural features and water balance for groundwater recharge
- TRCA Wetland Water Balance Risk Evaluation
- TRCA Wetland Water Balance Monitoring Protocol
- TRCA Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guide
- Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) Wiki: Includes guidance on Low Impact Development
Stream Crossings
Toronto Waterfront Screening Area
TRCA Jurisdiction Map
Select the image below to view the full-sized map.
TRCA-Owned Lands
TRCA Programs, Policies and Agreements
- Plan Review Memorandums of Understanding (Prior to January 1, 2023):
- MOU – Conservation Ontario/MNR/MMAH (Conservation authorities’ delegated responsibility)
- MOU – Conservation Ontario/Hydro One
- MOU – TRCA/Regional Municipality of Durham/CLOCA/LSRCA/Ganaraska CA/Kawartha CA
- MOU – TRCA/Regional Municipality of Peel/CVC/Halton CA
- MOU – TRCA/Regional Municipality of York/LSRCA
- MOU – TRCA/Town of Caledon/CVC
- MOU – TRCA/City of Markham
- MOU – TRCA/City of Mississauga/CVC/Halton CA
- MOU – TRCA/City of Toronto
- MOU – TRCA/Town of Mono/CVC/Nottawasaga CA
- Service Level Agreements
- Shoreline Management Program
- The Living City Policies
- Watershed Management and Planning