The Township of Ramara will dispose of surplus land in an open and transparent process to ensure that the consideration for such disposal is fair, reasonable and in the best interest of the Township.

Sale of Land Policy

Township owned properties with Water Frontage 

• No Township owned property with water frontage shall be sold unless such sale is for the good of the Township as a whole;

• Lands used for parks purposes that are maintained by the Township or a Community Centre Board of the Township shall remain for public use and no encroachment or use other than for parks purposes will be permitted;   

• Lands leased along the Trent Canal will continue to be leased at fair market rates until such time as Council adopts a long term strategy for the area; and       

• Lands that are unopened road allowances, or lots reserved for access to the lake and not maintained by the Township may be used and maintained by the public provided:

  • no trees are cut unless permission is given by the Director of Infrastructure;

  • all garbage and debris is removed;

  • no structures are erected;         

  • no fires are permitted, and

  • no camping is allowed.

  • Any person maintaining such land is not exclusive and cannot prohibit its use by other members of the public. Signs may be posted at the discretion of Council or the Director of Infrastructure 

When requests are received by persons wanting to purchase or use Township owned water front, they shall be advised by staff of this policy and the conditions contained herein. 

Declare Lands Surplus

Council, by resolution, must declare the land to be surplus to the needs of the Township prior to selling any land. Council may declare lands to be surplus for any reason, including but not limited to economic growth, income, job creation, community development, etc.

Sale of Unopened Road Allowances (URA)

Council will consider requests to stop-up, close and sell Township owned unopened road allowances (URA) provided:

1. The URA is deemed to not be required for current or future municipal use;
2. The URA does not lead to waterbodies;
3. All costs (survey, legal, appraisal, advertising, etc.) are to be paid by the purchaser and there is no expense to the Township;
4. That the permanently closing or altering of a URA results in a person having no access to and from the person’s land over any highway, unless the person impacted agrees to such sale.

Application to purchase

Sale of Shore Road Allowances (SRA)

Applicants must own property directly abutting the SRA. The Township will only convey to the adjacent landowner the portion of the SRA above the controlled or normal high water mark. Applications will not be approved if the closure is deemed:

1. To have an adverse impact on neighbouring property owners; or
2. Other land owners may be deprived of the sole vehicular access to their property; or
3. Closure will result in conflicts with the Township Official Plan policies, bylaw regulations or procedures.

Generally the portion of the shore road allowance to be closed and conveyed will be determined by straight lot line projections. As a result of the irregular nature of the shoreline, deviations from straight extensions of existing lot lines may be considered and may be required by the Township in these cases.

Application to purchase