Final codes for projects near water

Summary#

On January 24, 2026, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans published a notice under the Fisheries Act saying four codes of practice and one standard are now final. The documents give recommended practices for building, maintaining and repairing structures near or in water. They are posted on the Projects near water website.

What it does#

• Declares these documents final upon publication:
  • Boathouses, docks and moorings: Construction, maintenance and repair (code of practice)
  • Bridges: Maintenance and repair (code of practice)
  • In-water structures: Maintenance and repair (code of practice)
  • Intermittent drains: Maintenance (code of practice)
  • In-water site isolation (standard)
• Notes that details and the finalization process are set out in the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection and Pollution Prevention rules (section 34.2 of the Fisheries Act).
• States the final documents are available on the Projects near water website.
• Signed by Nicole Bouchard, Director General, Permitting Operations and Policies, Aquatic Ecosystems.

Who's affected#

• People and groups carrying out work in, on, or near water, for example:
  • homeowners and cottage owners with boathouses or private docks
  • marina operators and commercial waterfront businesses
  • bridge owners and maintenance crews
  • contractors, engineers and consultants who work on in-water projects
  • municipalities and utilities that manage water infrastructure
• Regulators and permitting staff who review projects near water.
• The notice does not list specific communities or Indigenous groups; it applies generally where these activities occur.

Why it matters#

• These final codes and the standard spell out recommended ways to reduce harm to fish and fish habitat during construction and maintenance.
• For people planning work near water, the documents provide practical steps to follow and are a resource to consult when preparing projects.
• They may influence how projects are designed, timed and carried out to avoid pollution and habitat damage.
• Making the guidance final gives project planners and regulators a clear, published set of practices to reference.