Planning and Permits

Message from the Planning Department

Planning inquiries and information can now be requested in person, by telephone (902-838-2528) or by email (planning@threeriverspei.com).

The Town’s Planning Department can receive and process development permits and other planning applications by mail and email. In both cases an application must be accompanied by a fee payment and the relevant documentation before the application is deemed complete for assessment. Your proposal will be acknowledged by letter/email at this stage.

Proposals are assessed and permits issued by planning staff however, in some cases they may be presented to the Planning Board and require Council approval. You will be advised of the decision-making route following your submission. Decision notices and permits will be sent to applicants by letter/email so please ensure you have provided full contact details.

Please note that applications for large development projects, including those requiring Council approvals or Zoning Bylaw amendments will require discussion with the department before submission.

Thinking of buying land, subdividing land, or building a dwelling next year?

Get a percolation test (typically called a “perc test’ or “perk test”).

Perc tests are required to receive a development permit from Three Rivers for new dwellings or the creation of new lots.

Traditional septic systems only work if the soil in the leach field area is sufficiently permeable that it can readily absorb the liquid effluent flowing into it. Otherwise, untreated effluent may back up and pool on the ground surface.

Less commonly, a site can fail because the soil is too permeable, allowing the effluent to reach the groundwater before it is fully treated. Very steep slopes are also unsuitable for a conventional leach field.

Any of these characteristics can prohibit the use of a standard gravity-fed septic system. In some cases, a more expensive alternative septic system may be allowed. To determine if a building site is suitable for a septic system, a perc test is required. For new subdivisions, a perc test is required to determine the lot categorization, which determines the size of your lots.

Perc tests will hold up your development permits if they are not completed. Perc tests can be difficult to complete in the rainy/winter months and may result in a failed test.

Note: Properties with access to municipal sewer don’t require a perc test.

Message from the Utility Department

If you require a new hookup for Water or Sewer, or Reconnection, you must fill out a Development Application form.

You must also note the following terms for new hookups:

• The application must be filled out completely and signed by the customer, developer or the installer (Applicant) before service will be provided. The Applicant agrees to abide by the requirements of the Montague Sewer & Water Corporation or Georgetown Sewer Utility Corporation and all applicable provincial legislation.
• The contractor must contact the Town Office in Montague at 902-838-2528 with 24 hour prior notice to commencing construction, and all inspection work must be carried out Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 3:30pm.
• Costs of extending services or increasing the size of existing services, including in the public right-of-way, shall be the responsibility of the Applicant. Reinstatement of any infrastructure (e.g. streets, sidewalk, storm system, etc.) in providing these services shall be the responsibility of the Applicant and must be competed in a timely manner.
• Underfooting service is not guaranteed by the Utility. Elevations must be verified by the Applicant before construction begins.
• Service will not be provided until the application fee is paid, a provincial plumbing certificate is issued (where one is required) and an inspection of the work is carried out by the Montague or Georgetown Utility Operator before the work is covered up.
• IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO CONNECT SUMP PUMP/HEAT PUMPS/GEOTHERMAL TO MUNICIPAL SERVICES.