Order Designating Certain Excluded Classes of Projects (SOR/2025-60)
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Regulations are current to 2025-11-20
SCHEDULE 1(Subsection 3(1) and section 4)Classes of Projects Carried out on Federal Lands or Lands Outside Canada
PART 1Non-specific Classes
1 The operation, maintenance or repair of any physical work, whether or not the physical work is referred to in this Schedule
2 Any physical activity that is carried out entirely within the interior of a building
3 (1) The construction of any well used to conduct geotechnical, environmental or scientific investigations but not including projects that involve the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body
(2) The decommissioning of any well referred to in subsection (1)
4 The construction, installation, expansion, modification, decommissioning, removal, replacement or moving of a physical work that has a footprint of no more than 25 m2 and that is not otherwise referred to in this Schedule, not including any project that involves
(a) any work in a water body;
(b) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body; or
(c) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures
5 The construction, installation, expansion, modification, decommissioning, removal, replacement or moving of an in-water structure that has a footprint of no more than 10 m2 and that is not otherwise referred to in this Schedule, not including any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body;
(b) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures;
(c) the use of vehicles or heavy machinery on the substrate of a water body;
(d) the placing or affixing legs or piles in the substrate or bed of a water body; or
(e) the use of explosives
PART 2Building Classes
Interpretation and Application
6 In this Part, special purpose building means a residential accommodation building, a hospital, a health centre, a fire, paramedic or police station, an educational institution, a recreational, artistic, cultural or sporting facility or a community or religious centre.
7 The classes of projects described in sections 9 to 11 do not include any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body;
(b) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures; or
(c) the demolition of a building or special purpose building that is less than 30 m from a school, hospital or residential building.
8 This Part applies to any building, special purpose building, prefabricated structure or tent pad.
Physical Works — Developed Land
9 (1) On developed land, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal, replacement, moving or demolition of
(a) any building that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2; and
(b) any special purpose building that has a footprint of no more than 1500 m2
(2) On developed land, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal, replacement or moving of
(a) any prefabricated structure that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2; and
(b) any tent pad that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(3) On developed land, the expansion of any building, special purpose building, prefabricated structure or tent pad, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that physical work is no more than 1000 m2
Physical Works — Land That is not Developed
10 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal, replacement or moving of
(a) any building that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2;
(b) any prefabricated structure that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2;
(c) any tent pad that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2; or
(d) any special purpose building that has a footprint of no more than 500 m2
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of any building, special purpose building, prefabricated structure or tent pad, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that physical work is no more than 100 m2
11 The modification of any building, special purpose building, prefabricated structure or tent pad
PART 3Physical Works or Related Physical Works
Interpretation and Application
12 In this Part, physical work means
(a) a lighting system;
(b) signage;
(c) fire suppression infrastructure;
(d) a parking lot;
(e) a paved area;
(f) an access road;
(g) a charging station for electric vehicles;
(h) infrastructure that generates solar or wind power;
(i) a gravel or stone dust area;
(j) an accessibility structure for active transportation;
(k) an awning;
(l) a bollard;
(m) a security system;
(n) a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system; and
(o) an air pollution control system.
13 The classes of projects described in sections 15 to 17 do not include any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body; or
(b) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures.
14 A physical work is a related physical work when it refers to a physical work that is related to an existing building or other structure.
Physical Works — Developed Land
15 (1) On developed land, the construction, installation or moving of any related physical work that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(2) On developed land, the expansion of any related physical work provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that physical work is no more than 1000 m2
(3) On developed land, the decommissioning, removal or replacement of any physical work that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
Physical Works — Land That Is Not Developed
16 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction, installation or moving of any related physical work for which the footprint is no more than 100 m2
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of any related physical work, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that physical work is no more than 100 m2
(3) On land that is not developed, the decommissioning, removal or replacement of any physical work that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
17 The modification of any physical work or related physical work
PART 4Utility Infrastructure
Application
18 This Part applies to any hydrant, hook-up, water-related utility infrastructure — other than a water pipeline or water treatment facility — septic system, water treatment facility, utility infrastructure set out in section 23 or electrical substation.
19 (1) The classes of projects described in sections 20 to 22 do not include any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body;
(b) the crossing of a water body, other than an overhead crossing by a telecommunication line or an electrical transmission or distribution line of 130 kV or less; or
(c) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures.
(2) The class of projects described in section 21 does not include any project that involves the use of
(a) vehicles or heavy machinery on the substrate of a water body; or
(b) explosives.
Hydrants and Hook-ups
20 The installation, modification, decommissioning, abandonment, removal or replacement of a hydrant or hook-up that is part of a utility distribution system
Water-related Utility Infrastructure
21 (1) The construction or installation of any water-related utility infrastructure that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) The expansion of any water-related utility infrastructure referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that water-related infrastructure to more than the limit set out in that subsection
(3) The decommissioning, removal or replacement of any water-related utility infrastructure that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(4) The modification of any water-related utility infrastructure that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(5) The modification of a water treatment facility
22 (1) On developed land, the installation, expansion, removal or replacement of a septic system that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2 and that is located more than 30 m from a water body
(2) The modification of any septic system
Interpretation
23 For the purposes of sections 25 to 29, utility infrastructure means
(a) a water pipeline;
(b) a sewer;
(c) a drain;
(d) a steam line;
(e) a service tunnel;
(f) an overhead or underground telecommunication line; and
(g) an overhead or underground electrical transmission or distribution line of 130 kV or less, other than an interprovincial or international line.
24 (1) The classes of projects described in sections 25 to 29 do not include any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body;
(b) the crossing of a water body, other than an overhead crossing by a telecommunication line or an electrical transmission or distribution line of 130 kV or less; or
(c) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures.
(2) The classes of projects described in sections 27 to 29 do not include any project for which the electrical transmission or distribution line referred to in paragraph 23(g) is located
(a) in a protected marine area established under subsection 4.1(1) of the Canada Wildlife Act; or
(b) in an area set out in the schedule to the Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations, prescribed as a migratory bird sanctuary.
Utility Infrastructure
25 (1) The construction or installation of any utility infrastructure referred to in paragraph 23(a), (f) or (g) that is no more than 100 m in length
(2) The lengthening of any utility infrastructure referred to in subsection (1) if the length of the utility infrastructure and the lengthening is no more than 100 m
(3) The modification, decommissioning, removal or replacement of any utility infrastructure referred to in paragraph 23(a), (f) or (g) that is no more than 1000 m
(4) The construction, installation, lengthening, modification, decommissioning, removal or replacement of any utility infrastructure referred to in paragraph 23(a), (f) or (g), of any length, that is located
(a) underneath a railway, road or airport pavement;
(b) alongside and contiguous to the infrastructure referred to in paragraph (a), if on developed land; or
(c) within the right of way of a telecommunication or electrical line
26 (1) The modification, removal or replacement, more than 30 m from a water body, of any utility infrastructure referred to in any of paragraphs 23(b) to (e) that is no more than 1000 m in length
(2) The construction, installation, lengthening, modification, abandonment, removal or replacement, more than 30 m from a water body, of any utility infrastructure referred to in any of paragraphs 23(b) to (e), of any length, that is located
(a) underneath a railway, road or airport pavement;
(b) alongside or contiguous to the infrastructure referred to in paragraph (a), if it is located on developed land; or
(c) within the right of way of a telecommunication or electrical line
Electrical Substations
27 (1) On developed land, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of an electrical substation that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2 and that is linked to an electrical transmission or distribution line referred to in paragraph 23(g)
(2) On developed land, the expansion of an electrical substation referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that electrical substation to more than the limit set out in that subsection
28 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction or installation of an electrical substation that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2 and that is linked to an electrical transmission or distribution line referred to in paragraph 23(g)
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of an electrical substation referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that electrical substation to more than the limit set out in that subsection
29 The modification of any electrical substation that is linked to an electrical transmission or distribution line referred to in paragraph 23(g)
PART 5Storage Tank Systems
Application
30 The classes of projects described in sections 32 and 33 do not include any project that involves the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures.
31 This Part applies to any storage tank system for petroleum products or allied petroleum products.
Storage
32 (1) The installation, removal or replacement of a storage tank system for petroleum products or allied petroleum products that has an aggregate capacity of
(a) no more than 30 000 L if it is located above ground within an airport; or
(b) no more than 5000 L in any other case
(2) The increase of the capacity of a storage tank system referred to in subsection (1), provided that increase does not exceed the aggregate capacity limit set out in that subsection
33 The modification of any storage tank system for petroleum products or allied petroleum products
PART 6Linear Infrastructures
Interpretation and Application
34 In this Part, linear infrastructure means
(a) a runway, taxiway or runway end safety area of an aerodrome;
(b) a railway;
(c) a road that is not an access road; and
(d) a guardrail, handrail, curb, fence or gate.
35 The classes of projects described in sections 37 to 40 do not include any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body; or
(b) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures.
36 This Part applies to any linear infrastructure.
Aerodromes
37 (1) The decommissioning, removal or replacement of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(a) that is no more than 150 m in length
(2) The lengthening of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(a), if the lengthening is no more than 150 m and does not increase the aircraft group number that the linear infrastructure can service
(3) The modification of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(a)
Railway Lines
38 (1) The decommissioning, removal or replacement of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(b) that is no more than 100 m in length
(2) On developed land, the lengthening of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(b) that is within or runs alongside an existing railway or road right of way, if the lengthening is no more than 100 m
(3) The modification of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(b)
Roads
39 (1) The decommissioning, removal, or replacement of a linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(c) that is no more than 100 m in length
(2) On developed land, the lengthening or widening of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(c) that is within or runs alongside an existing rail or road right of way, if the lengthening is no more than 100 m and the widening is by one lane of no more than 100 m
(3) The modification of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(c)
Security Infrastructures
40 (1) The construction or installation of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(d) that is related to a building or other structure and that is no more than 100 m in length
(2) The lengthening of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(d), if the lengthening is no more than 100 m in length
(3) The modification, decommissioning, removal or replacement of any linear infrastructure referred to in paragraph 34(d)
PART 7Transportation and Mobility Projects
Application
41 (1) The classes of projects described in sections 43 to 49 do not include any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body; or
(b) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures.
(2) The classes of projects described in sections 44 and 47 do not include any project that involves
(a) activities within a water body; or
(b) a crossing of an international or interprovincial boundary or the St. Lawrence seaway.
42 This Part applies to any air transportation navigational aid, clear span bridge, sidewalk, boardwalk, path or trail.
Transportation — Developed Land
43 (1) On developed land, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of an air transportation navigational aid that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(2) On developed land, the expansion of any air transportation navigational aid, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that physical work is no more than 1000 m2
44 (1) On developed land, the construction or installation of a clear span bridge that is related to a building or structure and that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(2) On developed land, the expansion of a clear span bridge referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that clear span bridge to more than the limit set out in that subsection
(3) On developed land, the decommissioning, removal or replacement of a clear span bridge that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
Mobility — Developed Land
45 (1) On developed land, the construction or installation of a sidewalk, boardwalk, path or trail that is related to a building or other structure and that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(2) On developed land, the expansion of any sidewalk, boardwalk, path or trail that is related to a building or other structure, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that physical work is no more than 1000 m2
(3) On developed land, the decommissioning, removal or replacement of any sidewalk, boardwalk, path or trail that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
Transportation — Land That Is Not Developed
46 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of an air transportation navigational aid that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of any air transportation navigational aid, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that physical work is no more than 100 m2
47 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction or installation of a clear span bridge that is related to a building or structure and that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of a clear span bridge referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that clear span bridge to more than the limit set out in that subsection
(3) On land that is not developed, the decommissioning, removal or replacement of a clear span bridge that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
Mobility — Land That Is Not Developed
48 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction or installation of any sidewalk, boardwalk, path or trail that is related to a building or structure and that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of any sidewalk, boardwalk, path or trail that is related to a building or other structure, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that physical work is no more than 100 m2
(3) On land that is not developed, the decommissioning, removal or replacement of any sidewalk, boardwalk, path or trail that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
49 The modification of any air transportation navigational aid, clear span bridge, sidewalk, boardwalk, path or trail
PART 8Structures in or Near Water
Interpretation Application
50 For the purposes of sections 52 and 55, other physical work means
(a) a retaining wall;
(b) a breakwater;
(c) a shoreline stabilization work; and
(d) a fishway or a fish ladder.
51 (1) The classes of projects described in sections 53 to 57 do not include any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body;
(b) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures;
(c) the use of vehicles or heavy machinery on the substrate of a water body; or
(d) the use of explosives.
(2) The classes of projects described in subsections 56(1) and (2) and 57(1) and (2) do not include any project that involves placing or affixing legs or piles in the substrate or bed of a water body.
52 This Part applies to any culvert and any structure used for berthing or mooring, any hydrometric station, including any related personnel shelter and any marine navigation aid structure as well as any other physical work.
Culverts and Structures for Berthing or Mooring and Other Physical Works
53 The modification or replacement of a culvert that is located alongside or underneath a road, railway, airport pavement or trail, is not located in waters frequented by fish and does not involve activities below the annual high water mark
54 The modification, removal or replacement of a structure used for berthing or mooring that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
55 The modification or replacement of any other physical work that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
Hydrometric Stations and Marine Navigation Aid Structures
56 (1) The construction or installation of a hydrometric station that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) The expansion of any hydrometric station referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that hydrometric station to more than the limit set out in that subsection
(3) The modification, decommissioning, removal or replacement of any hydrometric station that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
57 (1) The construction or installation of a marine navigation aid structure that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) The expansion of any marine navigation aid structure referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that marine navigation aid structure to more than the limit set out in that subsection
(3) The modification, decommissioning, removal or replacement of any marine navigation aid structure that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
PART 9Other Projects
Interpretation Application
58 For the purposes of sections 63, 66 and 67, other physical work means
(a) a patio;
(b) a flagpole;
(c) a banner;
(d) an interpretive display;
(e) landscaping that involves a structure;
(f) a mail receptacle; and
(g) fixed location furniture.
59 (1) The classes of projects described in sections 61 to 67 do not include any project that involves
(a) the placement of temporary or permanent fill in a water body; or
(b) the disturbance of known or suspected subsurface contamination, unless the project is located within a site that is classified as closed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory but not including sites closed that require risk management measures.
(2) The classes of projects described in sections 61 and 64 do not include any project that results in an antenna that reaches higher than 60 m above the ground.
60 This Part applies to any radio communication antenna or radar system, including any associated equipment, any scientific instrument, including its housing and enclosure, for the purpose of data collection and any other physical work.
Infrastructure — Developed Land
61 (1) On developed land, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of a radio communication antenna or radar system that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(2) On developed land, the expansion of any radio communication antenna or radar system referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that radio communication antenna or radar system to more than the limit set out in that subsection
62 (1) On developed land, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of a scientific instrument that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(2) On developed land, the expansion of any scientific instrument referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that scientific instrument to more than the limit set out in that subsection
63 (1) On developed land, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of any other physical work that has a footprint of no more than 1000 m2
(2) On developed land, the expansion of any other physical work, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that other physical work is no more than 1000 m2
Infrastructure — Land That Is Not Developed
64 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of a radio communication antenna or radar system that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of a radio communication antenna or radar system referred to in subsection (1) provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that radio communication antenna or radar system to more than the limit set out in that subsection
65 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of a scientific instrument that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of any scientific instrument referred to in subsection (1), provided that expansion does not increase the total footprint of that scientific instrument to more than the limit set out in that subsection
66 (1) On land that is not developed, the construction, installation, decommissioning, removal or replacement of any other physical work that has a footprint of no more than 100 m2
(2) On land that is not developed, the expansion of any other physical work, provided that the total footprint of all expansions of that other physical work is no more than 100 m2
67 The modification of any radio communication antenna or radar system, scientific instrument or other physical work
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