Transfer of Authority of On-Site Sewage Systems from North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has amended the Building Code and made changes to the administrative provisions related to the enforcement of Part 8 “Sewage Systems” of the Building Code. These changes have been made to streamline and expedite the development process, save costs, and improve service delivery times on sewage permits and inspections.
Effective May 1, 2026, the enforcement authority for sewage systems will be transferred from the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority to the Township of Armour.
Administrative amendments to the Building Code will revise Table 1.7.1.1., Enforcement of the Provisions of the Act and Code Related to Sewage Systems, which forms part of Sentence 1.7.1.1.(1) of Division C.
As a result, the authority to enforce the sewage system provisions under the Building Code and the Building Code Act will no longer fall under the jurisdiction of the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority. Instead, the building departments of the Townships of Perry, Seguin, McMurrich-Monteith, Armour, and the Municipality of McDougall will be responsible for issuing permits and enforcement of septic system provisions, including conducting inspections and issuing orders for remedial actions where necessary.
SEWAGE SYSTEM/SEPTIC PROGRAM:
To access the Township's webpage that contains details on the Sewage System Program and the applications, please click here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Question 1 - For existing septic permits currently issued by NBMCA, will NBMCA complete these permits as part of the transition?
As of May 1, 2026, the responsibility for building permit, regardless of where the permit was originally issued is transferred to the townships/municipality. Even if the building permit was submitted and issued through NMBCA, the townships/municipalities become the approval authority and point of contact for any ongoing review, amendments, conditions, inspections, or compliance. NMBCA will no longer administer or manage the permit beyond May 1, 2026.
Question 2 - When does the NBMCA stop accepting Part 8 Building Permit applications in these geographies?
The NBMCA will stop accepting Part 8 Sewage System applications effective May 1, 2026. In practice the last day NBMCA will accept Part 8 applications is on April 30, 2026. Starting May 1, 2026, the responsibility transfers to the applicable local municipalities/townships in the North Bay area.
Question 3 - What happens to building permit application submitted but not yet issued before the transition date?
Building permit applications for sewage systems that were submitted to NBMCA but not issued before May 1, 2026, will not be processed by NBMCA. Effective May 1, 2026, NBMCA has no authority to issue, continue, review, or administer these applications in these geographies.
Where an application was validly submitted before May 1, 2026, the application will be transferred to the appropriate township or municipality, which will assume full authority and responsibility to complete the permitting process. Permit applicants will not be required to re‑submit their application solely due to the transfer of authority. NBMCA and the affected townships/municipalities are expected to coordinate the timely transfer of files and application materials to support continuity and minimize disruption for applicants.
Question 4 – Would permit applicants that submitted and paid fees to NBMCA be required to submit addition building application fees to the township or municipality?
Permit applicants who have already submitted an application and paid fees to NBMCA will not be required to pay additional application fees simply because authority transfers to the township or municipality.
Question 5 - Who has authority to issue orders (e.g. order to comply on active permits?
After May 1, 2026, the responsibility for building permit, issuing orders (e.g., stop work order to comply) regardless of where the permit was originally opened is transferred to the townships/municipality.
Question 6 - Who assumes responsibility for ongoing compliance or enforcement files?
As of May 1, 2026, all authority and responsibility transfers to the townships/municipality, which becomes the sole approval authority and point of contact for all matters moving forward. NBMCA will not continue, amend, enforce, or administer permits related to Part 8 “Sewage Systems” of the Building Code after May 1, 2026, in these geographies.
Effective May 1, 2026, NBMCA has no authority for permitting, approvals, reviews, compliance, inspections, or administrative functions, regardless of whether a permit or application was originally opened with NBMCA. Where a matter spans both periods, coordination between authorities may be required to ensure a resolution.
Question 7 - Can municipalities rely on approvals or inspections conducted by the former authority?
Yes, municipalities may rely on approvals, inspections, and inspection records completed by the former authority (i.e., NBMCA) prior to the transition date. Municipalities are not required to redo inspections due to the transfer of authority.
Question 8 – Would permit files, inspection reports, and drawings be transferred to municipalities?
Yes, building permit files, inspection reports, drawings, and related records will be transferred from NMBCA to the townships and municipality. Records may be transferred in digital or hard‑copy format, depending on availability.
Question 9 - Will municipalities adopt consistent policies, or may requirements differ between jurisdictions?
Administrative practices may differ between municipalities. However, the building permit application form and technical requirements of the Building Code are the same across Ontario.
Question 10 – Will the transition affect the period of time which a building permit is issued or refused?
The prescribed time frames set out in Article 1.3.1.3. of Division C of Ontario’s Building Code continue to apply following the transition on May 1, 2026.
Where a complete building permit application for a Part 8 sewage system was validly submitted to NBMCA prior to May 1, 2026, the applicable prescribed time frame is calculated from the date the application was complete, not from the date the file is transferred to the township or municipality. The transfer of authority does not restart or reset the prescribed time frame. If an application was incomplete at the time of transition, the prescribed time frame does not begin until the application is made complete. Any requests for additional information made prior to May 1, 2026, remain valid and may be carried forward by the township or municipality. As of May 1, 2026, the townships/municipality assumes responsibility for administering the application within the remaining prescribed time frame and in compliance with Article 1.3.1.3. of the Building Code.
However, while efforts will be made to ensure a smooth transition, processing timelines could be temporarily affected. NBMCA and townships/municipalities are expected to coordinate the transfer of files to minimize delays and disruption for permit applicants.
