Lake waterfront here comes with provincial, federal and township rules that an inland home rarely raises. These are the ones Kimberly works through with every Six Mile Lake buyer, early, before conditions run out.
Where the lot ends
In Ontario, the beds of most lakes and rivers are Crown land (Government of Ontario, 2026). Many lots in the Township of Georgian Bay also have a 20-metre (66-foot) shore road allowance between the lot and the water, owned by the Township unless an abutting owner has bought it (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-f); the Township’s current application form prices a purchase at $242 per linear metre plus HST, with administration fees, a legal and file deposit, and the buyer’s legal, survey and appraisal costs on top (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-b). Your lawyer, and a surveyor where needed, should confirm what the title includes before you firm up.
Docks, boathouses and shoreline work
A provincial work permit may be needed for a structure in physical contact with more than 15 square metres of shore lands that are Crown land or close to Crown land; a floating structure does not count as being in contact (Government of Ontario, 2026). The Township of Georgian Bay notes that approvals from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Trent-Severn Waterway and Fisheries and Oceans Canada may be needed for in-water or shoreline work before a permit application, and a building permit needs an approved zoning certificate (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-c).
Water level and dams
Parks Canada’s dams regulate the lake’s level and its outflow to Gloucester Pool (Parks Canada, n.d., 2024), and the Township points residents to Parks Canada’s water management team for levels (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-h). Ask the sellers how the dock and shoreline handle spring water and late-season levels.
Water quality
The Township’s 2025 monitoring found individual samples above its bacterial objective at 4 of 10 Six Mile Lake sample locations, with no seasonal average above it, and overall results indicative of excellent water quality (Schiefer, 2025). In 2023, a study for the Township found individual summer total phosphorus readings above the provincial objective at stations on Six Mile Lake and three nearby water bodies (Chow-Fraser, 2024). Ask about the water source and include water testing in your conditions.
Water-access property
The Township of Georgian Bay requires 911 signs visible at the end of the driveway or dock (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-a), and its large-item waste pick-up is available to residents with water access only (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-d). Confirm where you will park, launch and store a boat before you buy.
Septic and water systems
The Township of Georgian Bay requires a permit for the construction of any new or existing septic system, and its discretionary re-inspection program is aimed at waterfront properties reached by road or by water (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-g). Ask for permit and inspection records, and make inspection and water testing part of your conditions.
Kimberly is a REALTOR®, not a lawyer, surveyor or permitting authority. This checklist is a starting point for your own due diligence with those professionals and agencies.