Uncontrolled construction activities can lead to riverbank failures and waterway obstructions.
Overview of Winnipeg’s Waterway Construction Regulations
- The need to regulate construction activities was identified after the flood of 1950 when it was determined that uncontrolled activities led to riverbank failures and waterway obstructions.
- This regulatory function is administered by the Planning, Property and Development department. For information, call 311.
- The City’s waterway by-law identifies regulated waterway areas and establishes a procedure for dealing with waterway permits and orders within the regulated areas of the City.
- The waterway by-law states: “No person shall begin or authorize work in the regulated area without first obtaining a waterway permit.” This means that any person who begins or authorizes work in the regulated area without first obtaining approval from the City is in breach of the waterway by-law and is subject to punitive action.
Waterway Permit
- Document that legally authorizes construction within the regulated area of the City
- Protects the public from construction that may endanger the stability of the riverbank, impede water flow, or adversely alter the waterway
- Required for the following activities occurring within the regulated area:
- Construction or demolition of a building
- Deposition, removal, alteration or disturbance of any material
- Alteration of drainage
- Alteration of a waterway
- Examples of work requiring a waterway permit:
- Commercial and industrial buildings
- Dwellings, additions and garages
- Swimming pools and decks
- Deposition of fill
- Riverbank stabilization (slope regarding, erosion protection, retaining walls)
Description of the Regulated Area
- The riverbed and lands extending 350 feet on each side of the Red, Assiniboine, Seine and LaSalle rivers
- The creekbed and lands extending 250 feet on each side of Bunn’s, Omand’s, Sturgeon and Truro creeks
Other Approvals May Be Necessary in the Regulated Area
- Waterway permit holders may also require other approvals, such as zoning variances, building permits or local district approvals prior to proceeding with the work.
- For information on other approvals, call the Zoning and Permits Branch at 204-986-5140.
Water Permit Application Process
- Application forms may be obtained from the Planning, Property and Development department at the following address:
Waterways Section
Planning, Property and Development
15 – 30 Fort Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 4X5 - An application fee is charged to process the application. Payment in full to the City of Winnipeg is required at the time of application.
- An information package is available from the Waterways Section. It outlines:
- Fee schedule
- Construction drawings and details to be submitted with the application form
- Some applications may require an engineer’s report. The riverbank management engineer may request an engineer’s report be submitted in support of the application when there expressed concerns about riverbank stability or flow impedance. If requested, this report must be prepared and submitted under the signature and seal of a qualified registered engineer (geotechnical engineer).
- Applications are considered on a first-come first served basis by the Waterways Section. A riverbank management engineer may issue a waterway permit to allow work to be done in a regulated area subject to terms and conditions necessary to ensure compliance with the waterway by-law.
- Waterway permits are sent by mail as soon as decisions are made. If construction scheduling is critical, alternative arrangements for pickup can be made by contacting the Waterways Section.
- When the riverbank management engineer refuses to issue a permit to allow work to be done in a regulated area, a written notice stating the reason for the refusal is sent to the applicant.
- An applicant can appeal a water permit refusal by filing a written notice of appeal with the office of the City Clerks. The appeal is heard by the Riverbank Management Committee.
Last update:
January 31, 2012
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