Municipal Land Policies

Page Highlights: Comprehensive Land Policy | Encroachment Policy | Consultation Meeting

Are you looking for information about the acquisition, use, sale, or encroachment of municipal land? The policies below provide an overview of the consultation, application, and review processes.

The applicant is responsible for all legal costs associated with their application. For additional information, please consult with the relevant policy or book a pre-consultation meeting using the button below.

Comprehensive Land Policy

The Comprehensive Land Policy establishes clear guidelines for how the Municipality manages the acquisition, use, and sale of municipal land. The policy ensures that land-related decisions are consistent, transparent, and in the best interest of the community.

Key Areas of the Policy

Acquisition of Land

The Municipality may acquire land through several methods such as negotiation, donation, exchange, transfers from other governments, planning processes, or expropriation when necessary. Council approval, due diligence, and financial review are required before any acquisition proceeds.

Sale or Disposition of Municipal Land

Municipal land may be sold when it is declared surplus by Council. Sales are typically based on fair market value and require public notice. Applicants are responsible for associated costs, and all property taxes, title issues, and compliance matters must be resolved before a transfer can occur.

Shore Road and Road Allowances

Requests to close or purchase unopened road allowances or shore road allowances are reviewed by the Municipality. Council may approve these requests where there is no municipal or public need for the land, and where the closure will not eliminate necessary access. 

Access to Municipal Lands and Easements

Property owners may request access across municipal lands such as unopened roads. The policy outlines conditions for access agreements, encroachments, and the use of easements while protecting public access rights and municipal interests.

Comprehensive Land Policy

Encroachment Policy

Municipal property, including road allowances, parks, and other municipally owned lands, must remain free of encroachments. However, in certain circumstances, Council may permit encroachments at its discretion.

This policy outlines the process for addressing existing or proposed encroachments on municipal property and provides guidelines for reviewing applications to recognize encroachments located on lands owned by the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.

Council may consider permitting an encroachment where public safety is not compromised, municipal interests are not negatively affected, and the public’s right to use the property is maintained.

Where approved, encroachments must be authorized through a written agreement between the property owner and the Municipality. If the encroaching party does not agree to this process, the encroachment may be removed at the owner’s expense.

Encroachment Policy

Book a pre-consultation meeting today!

Have an inquiry related to Municipal land? Book a pre-consultation with our Planning Coordinator today by clicking the button below.

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Contact Us

Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
56 Lindsay Road 5
Lion’s Head ON N0H 1W0
1-833-793-3537
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