OUR ENGINEERS PREPARE LOT GRADING PLANS FOR TINY TOWNSHIP

Tiny Township mandates that all lots for which a building permit application has been submitted to construct a new home or cottage must include a Lot Grading Plan. In certain cases, Tiny Township may waive the need for submitting a Lot Grading Plan if the new residence is positioned at least 30 m from all lot lines or if an addition does not surpass 46.5 sq.m. (500 sq.ft.) in size. Without a Lot Grading Plan and the Lot Grading Plan Review Checklist, Tiny Township will not accept a building permit application.

There is no Conservation Authority jurisdiction within Tiny Township. Although Tiny Township does not enforce a tree-cutting by-law, it is advisable for lot owners to verify lot boundaries prior to cutting any trees. The County of Simcoe enforces a Forest Conservation By-law that applies to properties exceeding 1.0 hectares.

Lot Grading Plans crafted by our Licensed Professional Engineers (P.Eng.), who are qualified in drainage design, will comply with all Tiny Township requirements. These plans ensure that the lot is appropriately graded and drained, preventing negative impacts on adjacent properties, including those belonging to Tiny Township, Simcoe County, and the Province of Ontario.

It is the responsibility of the licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario to inform Tiny Township or its designate of any drainage design concerns within the public right-of-way before finalizing the Lot Grading Plan.

If the subject lot is adjacent to Provincial Highway 93 or falls within a Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Highway Corridor, a permit from MTO will be necessary before Tiny Township issues a building permit.

For lots bordering Simcoe County Rd 6 North, Simcoe County Rd 25 (Balm Beach Road), Simcoe County Rd 26, Simcoe County Rd 29 (Crossland Rd), Lafontaine Rd East, or Awenda Park Rd, or located within a County of Simcoe Road Corridor, a permit from the County of Simcoe is required before Tiny Township will issue a building permit.

Any erosion and sediment control measures needed to prevent silt and sediment migration from the subject lot to adjacent lots, including public right-of-ways, must be clearly outlined in the Lot Grading Plan approved by Tiny Township and will be the responsibility of the lot owner to implement and maintain.

Special care is essential during the construction of a new home or cottage in Tiny Township to prevent silt and sediment-laden surface water from entering any watercourses or environmentally sensitive areas, either overland or through the storm drainage system.

During the construction phase, interim lot grading measures might be needed to ensure that drainage does not negatively impact neighboring lots. Rough grading must be completed to contain stormwater drainage on-site or direct it to a positive outlet.

In many parts of Tiny Township, municipal stormwater drainage systems are limited or absent. Therefore, the lot grading design must take into account ways to minimize any increase in stormwater run-off from the subject lot, employing acceptable stormwater retention techniques.

In areas where positive stormwater drainage is unavailable within Tiny Township's road allowance, the lot owner may need to implement a soakaway pit and/or grade the boulevard adequately to ensure stormwater does not accumulate on the road surface to Tiny Township's satisfaction.

Retaining walls must not encroach onto Tiny Township's property; they should be constructed entirely within the subject lot along the lot lines.

If necessary, approvals must be secured from Federal (such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans) and Provincial (including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, etc.) governments for building retaining walls adjacent to Georgian Bay.

No new homes or cottages located adjacent to Georgian Bay shall have any building opening below the 178.5 m G.S.C. elevation. The Lot Grading Plan must also include an "estimated seasonal high groundwater table elevation" based on the observed groundwater table elevation, if applicable. If the groundwater table is found to be less than the width of the footings below the bearing surface, alternative methods for determining the "estimated seasonal high groundwater table elevation” should be considered, which may include reviewing adjacent lot sump pump discharge and basement elevation.

In terms of drainage design, foundation drains must direct water to a swale or dry well, with drainage directly to a municipal ditch being prohibited, including roof leaders, basement sumps, and foundation drains.

Whenever possible, the perimeter elevation of the proposed new home or cottage should be at least 300 mm higher than the edge of any adjacent roadway or public property.

Stormwater drainage flows must be directed away from all buildings at a minimum grade of 2%. Ponding stormwater adjacent to the foundation walls of the new home or cottage is not acceptable. The maximum lot surface grade at any point shall be 5%, and a slope of 3 parts horizontal to 1 part vertical should be used to accommodate grade differentials exceeding this 5% slope.

The minimum driveway grade should be 2%, not exceeding a maximum grade of 6%, measured from the garage or house/cottage face to the edge of roadway pavement. If existing grades are too steep, matching adjacent lot grades may be permitted as determined appropriate by Tiny Township. Additional drainage design measures may be required to prevent hardscaping from flowing directly onto the road allowance.

For any landscaping improvements adjacent to the driveway (i.e., driveway edging), the edge must be flush with the driveway surface (and back of curb, if applicable) extending a minimum of 1.5 m beyond the pavement/curb line. If sidewalks are located along the frontage of the proposed new home or cottage, driveway edging must be flush with the driveway surface for a minimum of 500 mm beyond the back of the sidewalk.

Swales must be entirely located within the limits of the lot and should match existing grades at the lot lines to ensure that no drainage outlets lead onto adjacent lots. The minimum slope for all rear and side yard swales should be 2%, with a minimum depth of 150 mm. A 1% minimum slope will be considered for rear and side yard swales where soil conditions allow infiltration of stormwater.

All Lot Grading Plans submitted for approval by Tiny Township must consider the natural groundwater table and its seasonal fluctuations. At a minimum, the lot owner must coordinate, at their expense, the undertaking of a 2 m deep test pit within the proposed construction's footprint, or nearby, for their Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licensed in Ontario to assess if a high groundwater table exists and to determine the estimated seasonal high groundwater table elevation. The test pit’s location, the high groundwater elevation (if applicable), the estimated seasonal high groundwater table elevation, and the date of the test pit observation must be indicated on the Lot Grading Plan submitted for approval by Tiny Township.

A high-water table can affect the choice of footing or foundation system used for the construction of a new home or cottage and raise concerns about soil-bearing capacity and water displacement. To ascertain the soil type and water table level, a test pit may be necessary, along with the services of a licensed professional soils/geotechnical engineer in Ontario.

If standing water is detected in the test hole or if deemed necessary by Tiny Township or the Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) preparing the Lot Grading Plan for Tiny Township approval, a Geotechnical Report must also be submitted along with the Lot Grading Plan. Our structural engineers utilize advanced analysis tools to evaluate the performance and safety of existing structures and design new structures capable of withstanding extreme loads and environmental conditions, providing recommendations for repairs and upgrades to ensure durability.

The Geotechnical Report shall be prepared by a qualified Geotechnical Professional Engineer licensed in Ontario, identifying site soil conditions, soil bearing capacity, existing groundwater table elevation (if it exists), providing an estimated seasonal high groundwater table elevation, and commenting on whether the proposed elevations of the new home or cottage will be affected by hydrostatic pressure.

If there is a risk of hydrostatic pressure on the proposed new home or cottage, the Professional Geotechnical Engineer licensed in Ontario shall provide recommendations to the Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licensed in Ontario who is preparing the Lot Grading Plan to be submitted for approval by Tiny Township. These recommendations will include necessary changes to the proposed building elevations to eliminate any risk of hydrostatic pressure on components of the new home or cottage.

The Professional Geotechnical Engineer licensed in Ontario shall also make any recommendations regarding the construction of the proposed new home or cottage based on site conditions. The Geotechnical Report will be utilized by the Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licensed in Ontario, who is preparing the Lot Grading Plan for Tiny Township, to make any necessary alterations to the building elevations, ensuring no risk of hydrostatic pressure on the components of the proposed new home or cottage. In all circumstances, the underside of any slabs-on-ground shall not be less than 400 mm above the estimated seasonal high groundwater table. If this elevation cannot be achieved, modifications to the proposed construction of the new home or cottage will be required.

Architectural Designers of new homes and cottages must adhere to the Ontario Building Code's assumed limits. Engaging geotechnical engineers to conduct a detailed geotechnical investigation at the site enables owners to create the most cost-effective footing and drainage design. The only way to ascertain the actual soil-bearing capacity is through a Geotechnical Investigation and Testing, and the results can be highly beneficial. If the soil demonstrates a greater load-bearing capacity, less expenditure on concrete and rebar may be necessary for constructing foundation footings. A reduction in the width of a basement footing design can lead to significant savings. Additionally, if the Geotechnical Investigation reveals very soft soil, appropriately designed footings will help prevent expensive foundation repairs.

A lack of geotechnical data increases the likelihood of contractors encountering unforeseen soil and groundwater issues, leading to change orders, increased costs, and project delays. The costs linked to unexpected dewatering during excavation can quickly escalate a project budget if proper consideration is not given to conducting a Geotechnical assessment.

If the underside of the footings must be placed below the footing width above the estimated seasonal high groundwater table, our Licensed Professional Engineers in Ontario (P.Eng.) will review the proposed footing and foundation design for the new home or cottage, considering the soil conditions to ensure the proposed structural components are adequately designed. Our Professional Structural Engineer licensed in Ontario (P.Eng.) will seal and stamp all structural drawings submitted for approval by Tiny Township.

Our Professional Engineers (P.Eng.) licensed in Ontario may also recommend changes to the construction of the new home or cottage to suit specific site conditions. In areas without existing or natural outlets, stormwater drainage must be managed and collected using designed infiltration technologies, as specified by the Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licensed in Ontario.

Examples of designed infiltration technologies include infiltration galleries and soakaway pits that hold stormwater while allowing it to dissipate. Permission from Tiny Township is required to employ these stormwater infiltration technologies in order to ensure that Tiny Township’s drainage system can accommodate the additional discharge volume.

Each Lot Grading Plan submitted for approval by Tiny Township must include the following essential elements for effective drainage design:

A north arrow must be displayed, and all drawings should be to scale, either Metric 1:200 or 1:250. All elevations should reference Geodetic Datum where feasible; if not, a Temporary Benchmark, clearly identified, should serve as a fixed object in the immediate vicinity.

The plan must detail the name of the street, lot number, registered plan or concession number, along with sufficient information to accurately describe the location.

Legal survey distances and bearings surrounding the property perimeter must be labeled, including easements and all natural features, such as watercourses.

Additionally, the Lot Grading Plan should illustrate the locations of homes, cottages, and building structures—whether existing or proposed—along with their distances to lot lines.

Existing elevations on the road, ditch, boulevards, curbs, the subject lot, and adjoining lots must be identified, showcasing sufficient existing grades on adjacent lots to indicate the drainage pattern. 

A test pit should be included within the footprint of the proposed new home or cottage, or nearby, complete with the test pit date and recorded groundwater table elevation (if observed).

The position of all sump pumps and drainage discharge points also needs to be marked. The existing grade elevations at all lot corners and significant grade changes along the lot lines should be distinctly indicated.

The Building Elevation Table must outline the proposed elevations—along the perimeter of the new home or cottage; top of the garage floor (if applicable); top of the finished first floor; top of the foundation wall; top of the basement slab (or any other slab-on-ground, with a minimum elevation of 400 mm above the estimated seasonal high groundwater table elevation); underside of footing; and the estimated seasonal high groundwater table elevation.

Proposed grade elevations must be indicated at all new house corners, lot lines, and particularly at each corner of the lot, including a proposed elevation in the center of the septic system envelope. 

Drainage design should also detail swales and slopes with adequate information to represent the direction of drainage and the extent of the slope.

Erosion and sediment control (ESC) measures deemed necessary must be implemented to prevent the migration of silt and sediment from the subject lot to any adjacent lot, including municipal and/or public right-of-ways.

If a retaining wall is proposed on the property, elevations of the top and bottom of the retaining wall, along with the material used, must be specified.

Mandatory General Notes necessary for Lot Grading Plans submitted for approval by Tiny Township include:

"Erosion and sediment control measures must be put in place to prevent silt and sediment from the subject lot reaching adjacent lots, including municipal or public right-of-way. Special care must be taken to ensure that silt and sediment-laden surface water does not enter any watercourses or environmentally sensitive areas, either overland or through storm drainage systems. The lot owner must comply with all directives from applicable environmental agencies."

"Interim grading measures may be required during construction to ensure drainage does not negatively impact neighboring properties. Rough grading shall ensure drainage is contained on-site or directed to a positive outlet."

"All downspouts, sump pumps, and other drainage discharge points must be routed to a splash pad or equivalent. Direct drainage to a municipal ditch is not permitted, which includes roof leaders, basement sumps, and foundation drains."

"The lot owner is responsible for obtaining utility and servicing locates before any work commences."

"This Lot Grading Plan has been developed to ensure that Municipal, County, and Provincial lands adjacent to or in the vicinity of this lot are not impacted."

"A copy of the Accepted for Construction Lot Grading Plan must be on-site for reference throughout the construction period."

"This Lot Grading Plan has been organized to prevent drainage towards the foundation after it settles."

"This Lot Grading Plan has been structured to ensure that surface drainage from the lot does not adversely affect neighboring properties or municipal lands and roadways."

"Building elevations have been established to eliminate the risk of hydrostatic pressure affecting the structure."

"Post-construction, upon completion of the Lot Grading according to the approved Lot Grading Plan, the Owner is responsible for repairing any settling to maintain positive drainage away from the building at all times."

"Post-construction, upon completion of the Lot Grading according to the approved Lot Grading Plan, the lot owner must maintain all downspouts and ensure that no subsequent modifications to the grading of the lot negatively impact drainage on adjacent properties."

Our fee for the Individual Lot Grading Plan, which includes a drainage design and an Erosion/Sediment Control Plan as outlined by the Township of Tiny’s requirements/guidelines, and prepared and stamped by our Professional Engineers licensed in Ontario, is $1,295⁺ʰˢᵗ per lot, and it will be ready within 4 to 7 business days after receiving all required information and documents. 

If required by Tiny Township, including a Water Servicing Plan will incur an additional cost of $695⁺ʰˢᵗ.

Our fee for a site visit to assess the depth of the seasonal high groundwater table is $595⁺ʰˢᵗ per visit.

Private Septic System - Tiny Township

Tiny Township has no municipal sewers, so all homes and cottages must rely on individual septic systems for waste management.

Tiny Township oversees all approvals related to septic systems, ensuring they operate effectively and in compliance with regulations. To facilitate this process, Tiny Township has engaged Tatham Engineering as the approval agent for all septic system-related applications.

For any development project, it’s essential to assess whether a vacant lot in Tiny Township can adequately support an individual on-site septic system, including confirming that all minimum clearance distances are adhered to. Drainage design also plays a critical role in this assessment.

All new individual on-site septic systems must adhere to the standards set forth in Division B, Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code (OBC). Our Professional Engineers, licensed in Ontario, specialize in designing advanced, innovative, efficient on-site septic systems for off-sewer developments in locations like Tiny Township, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations.

We take pride in our septic system designs, which not only follow the Ontario Building Code but are also tailored to be affordable and long-lasting, specific to site conditions. Poorly designed systems, substandard construction, or lack of maintenance can lead to septic system failures.

For instance, a small house with a maximum daily flow rate of approximately 1,600 liters can have a compact system installed, especially in sandy soil with high absorption. This might only cost a few thousand dollars. Conversely, a larger home with a daily sewage flow rate of 9,000 liters and situated in hard clay soil, which absorbs significantly less, could lead to installation costs exceeding $50,000 if a tertiary system is necessary.

Typical stamped engineering designs for residential class 4 sewage systems, compliant with Division 8 Part 8 of the O.B.C., often involve the creation of a Lot Grading Plan to outline site drainage. The design of a tertiary treatment unit, pump chamber, and shallow buried trench would have a starting cost of $1,695⁺ʰˢᵗ and can typically be completed within 3 to 5 business days upon receipt of all requisite information.

Excavation of a test pit is required to obtain a soil sample to verify soil conditions, evaluate percolation rates, and determine depth to bedrock or the groundwater table to design the septic system. Site Visit for soil sampling and particle size distribution analysis by an accredited laboratory to find the Unified Soil Classification as described in MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-6, and the "T" time would cost $695⁺ʰˢᵗ. If Hydrometer Testing is required, it would cost an additional fee of $125⁺ʰˢᵗ.

If the client wishes to have two separate septic systems designed, the design of a second septic system would cost an additional fee of $795⁺ʰˢᵗ.

We need the following to prepare a Septic Design:

· CAD drawing of a detailed site plan showing the location of wells and/or sewage systems on the subject property, as well as adjoining parcels within 35 m of the subject property.

· CAD drawing of the topographic survey and the grading & drainage plan

· Architectural Drawings showing proposed floor plans, showing the floor area, bedrooms, and plumbing fixtures.

· Arborist Report & Landscape Architect Drawings showing existing trees to be preserved, and proposed locations for all tree protection zones.

· If applicable, locations of any regulatory flood lines or development limit lines

There is no Conservation Authority jurisdiction directly within the municipal limits of the Township of Tiny.  Instead of a traditional conservation authority, the township manages environmental sustainability, watershed planning, and protection through local partnerships:

• Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA): The township works closely with the SSEA for environmental initiatives, watershed planning reports, wetland evaluations (such as the Tiny Bog), private well surveys, and annual native tree seedling distributions.

• Sustainable Severn Sound (SSS): Participates in local sustainability and climate action plans aligned with the 2009 Severn Sound Sustainability Plan.

• Provincial Cooperation: The township collaborates directly with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on local environmental and containment matters (such as work around Farlain Lake).

If deemed necessary by the Township of Tiny, the applicant may be requested to provide supporting reports, assessments, plans, and analyses including the following:

• Seasonal High Groundwater Elevation and bedrock elevations

• General soil properties and conditions

• Geotechnical Report

• Hydrogeological Assessment

• Calculation of Nitrogen Concentration and/or Phosphorus Reduction

• Nitrate-Nitrogen Dilution Calculation

Depending on the scope of work, the fee for preparing any of the above-mentioned reports/analyses may vary.

Domestic Water Service to New Homes / Cottages - Tiny Township

The Township of Tiny owns and operates 16 municipal drinking water systems in the following areas of Tiny Township:

- Bluewater  

- Castle Cove  

- Cooks Lake  

- Georgian Bay Estates  

- Lafontaine  

- Lefaive  

- Pennorth  

- Perkinsfield  

- Rayko  

- Sawlog  

- Tee Pee Point  

- Thunder Bay  

- Vanier Woods  

- Whip-Poor-Will  

- Woodland Beach and  

- Wyevale

All other sites in Tiny Township are serviced by private wells. The Tiny Township does not have jurisdiction over private residential wells and does not maintain records regarding their installation, type, or location. The only requirement from Tiny Township concerning private wells is that a potable water report from Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit must be supplied to obtain occupancy when constructing a new home or cottage. For assistance, a licensed well contractor may be beneficial.

New Connection to Tiny Township's Water Service

Homeowners are responsible for completing the connection to the curb stop at the road. Those connecting to either the Lefaive or Lafontaine Water Systems should contact the Water Supervisor before making the connection, as these may require Tiny Township involvement. The curb stop is part of the municipal water system and no one, including licensed plumbers, is permitted to operate it. Any damages to the existing water system during this connection will be repaired by Tiny Township at the homeowner's cost.

The service line must measure 19 mm (3/4") in diameter, using fittings and service lines rated for 160 PSI and sporting CSA approval. Polyethylene pipe installations will need stainless steel inserts and a tracer wire (min. 14-gauge copper).

To adhere to proper drainage design, the water service line must be installed at a depth of at least 1.7 m (5 ft), with a minimum of 150 mm (6") of clean sand above and below it. The water service line must remain exposed until it passes inspection. Services on Bluewater, Castle Cove, Cooks Lake, Georgian Bay Estates, Lafontaine West, Lefaive, Pennorth, Rayko, Sawlog Bay, TeePee Point, Thunder Bay, Vanier Woods, and Woodland Beach water systems require a curb stop, drain valve, service box, and service rod (Winter Service Valve). Conversely, services in Perkinsfield, Lafontaine Village, Whippoorwill, and Wyevale water systems do not necessitate a winter service valve.

An air pressure gauge must be placed on the line in a location easily accessible by Tiny Township inspectors, and the line should be pressurized to 100 PSI. All inspections by Tiny Township should be arranged at least 48 hours in advance during normal office hours, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Proper access for inspecting the inside connection must be available during the inspection. The owner or contractor must be present for Tiny Township's inspection, which will lead to the activation of the water service upon approval.

Any work affecting the Tiny Township-owned roadway, including installing, relocating, redesigning, or paving a driveway entrance, necessitates obtaining a driveway entrance permit. This also includes the installation of a new culvert.

To apply for a driveway entrance permit from Tiny Township, complete and submit the application to the Public Works Secretary at Tiny Township via email at cbonneville@tiny.ca. Please note that our fee for preparing stamped engineering driveway entrance drawings, including the design of headwalls and culverts necessary for a residential driveway entrance permit application, is $875⁺ʰˢᵗ

Ownership of Beach Shoreline - Township of Tiny

Regarding waterfront ownership rights for properties on Georgian Bay in Tiny Township, the scenarios include:

- First Nation's ownership of the beach shoreline (i.e., Christian Island)  

- Province of Ontario's ownership of the beach shoreline (i.e., Awenda Park)  

- Tiny Township's ownership of shoreline (i.e., properties at Woodland Beach, Bluewater Beach, Jackson Park Beach, Balm Beach, Lafontaine Beach, and other municipal properties)  

- Communal ownership of the beach shoreline (i.e., Rowntree Beach)  

- Individual ownership of thebeach shoreline  

- Unknown ownership of the beach shoreline

Tiny Township has undertaken significant actions to sign and demarcate many beaches and pathways that it owns.

For inquiries regarding beaches owned by Tiny Township, contact Jenna Reid. - Communications/Committee Coordinator - Tiny Township  

jreid@tiny.ca  

705-526-4204 ext 277

If the beach shoreline is not owned by Tiny Township, please reach out to the Land Registry Office in Barrie for further information.

It's advisable to review your deed/title with a lawyer to gain a legal opinion. The Tiny Township does not confirm title or easements regarding deeded beach access from any specific private property.

Tiny Township's Contact Information

Pamela Zimmerman  

Planning Administrative Coordinator - Tiny Township  

pzimmerman@tiny.ca  

705-526-4204 ext 258

Carrie-Ann Robillard  

Building Permit Coordinator - Tiny Township  

crobillard@tiny.ca  

705-526-5965 ext 234

Lot Grading Security Deposit Payable to Tiny Township

A Lot Grading Security Deposit of $1,000 per lot must be submitted by the lot owner with all Building Permit applications for constructing a new home or cottage. This ensures Tiny Township receives a satisfactory Final Lot Grading Plan Certificate, confirming that grading and drainage works comply with the approved Lot Grading Plan.