Frequently Asked Questions

Access to Crown Lands

1. Who can apply for Federal Crown lands?
2. How do I apply for Federal Crown lands?
3. Can I purchase Crown land?

Leases, Permits and Licences  

4. How can I obtain a residential lease?
5. How do you determine the rental payments?
6. If I have a lease now, will I require another type of permit or licence?
7. I have a land-use permit, do I require a lease?

Other Types of Leases

8. How can I obtain a tourism lease?
9. How can I obtain a market gardening lease?
10. How can I obtain an agricultural lease?
11. Can I apply for homestead lands?
12. How can I obtain a cottage lot?

Other Questions People Ask

13. What is the climate like?
14. How do I obtain maps of various lakes?
15. Do I have to pay taxes on lands outside of communities?
16. Are there rules for fuel storage?

Access to Crown Lands

Q1. Who can apply to lease, purchase or use Federal Crown lands
Any person having reached the age of majority (19 years of age) may apply for Crown land in the Northwest Territories. There are no restrictions on non-residents of the Northwest Territories or Canada for acquiring land in the Northwest Territories.

Q2. How do I apply for Federal Crown lands?
The applicant must contact the Land Agent of the relevant district and together they select the site. This will ensure the person is aware of all the factors related to a specific site and addresses them in a land application package. Once a completed application and required fees are received, the Land Administration Office will process the application. Extensive consultation is undertaken prior to the disposal of land.

Although every application will be considered, persons applying for land on which they can "build a cabin in the wilderness and live off the land" should be aware that their application may not be approved.

Q3. Can I purchase Crown land?
Crown land outside of community boundaries is not for sale. Any leases that currently have an option to purchase clause may still be actioned. New leases will not have the option-to-purchase clause.

For questions on purchasing land within a community boundary, please contact Municipal and Community Affairs  . Transactions involving land held under Certificate of Title are registered in the Land Titles Office, Government of the Northwest Territories. Real estate firms can give you useful information regarding available titled land in many communities.

Lease, Permits and Licences

Q4. How can I obtain a residential lease?
Generally, residential land is not available outside community boundaries unless it is required in connection with a business operation outside of the community. For land within a community boundary, please contact Municipal and Community Affairs  .

Q5. How do you determine the rental payments?
The rental payment is based on the fair market value of the land and the size of the lot. The minimum payment is determined by regulations, which is 10% of the fair market value or $150.00, which ever is greater. Leases for a term exceeding five years all contain a rental review clause.

Q6. If I have a lease now, will I require another type of permit or licence?
Leases, even for Crown land, do not exempt the lessees from complying with laws affecting that land. It is the specified use of your lease and other acts and regulations such as the land use regulations, which determine whether you require any other authorization.

Q7. I have a land-use permit, do I require a lease?
If the desired use of the land is expected to be short-term and does not require exclusive use of the land, a lease is usually not required. A permit cannot be used to access financial security. A lease is usually issued for long-term use, gives the lessee exclusive use of the land, and can be used to obtain financial security.

Q8. How can I obtain a tourism lease?
The first step for those interested in acquiring land for tourism purposes is to contact the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment  for the appropriate tourism approval.
Note: The issuance of a tourism approval does not imply the approval of a land lease application submitted to Land Administration, INAC.

Q9. How can I obtain a market gardening lease?
In a joint policy statement issued on June 17, 1977, it was announced by INAC and the Government of the Northwest Territories that small acreages of land would be made available for the growing of truck crops for local markets and for community gardens for individual use. Lands under municipal and/or the Commissioner's administration were to be given priority in meeting initial demands for market gardens. Please contact the Municipal and Community Affairs, GNWT.

Q10. How can I obtain an agricultural lease?
Anyone interested in acquiring land for agricultural purposes (dairy farming, mixed farming, grazing) should direct their inquiry to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, as represented by the Department of Renewable Resources and Wildlife, and Municipal and Community Affairs, which is mandated with the responsibility for agricultural development. Please contact Municipal and Community Affairs .

Q11. Can I apply for homestead lands?
Acquiring Crown land through homesteading is not available in the Northwest Territories. (Homesteading is defined as the development and occupation of a parcel of land before acquiring some form of land interest.)

Q12. How can I obtain a cottage lot?
On January 10, 1975, the Minister announced it would be an INAC policy to confine cottage lot disposal to developed cottage lot subdivisions. Leases on lots of up to half a hectare (one acre) in size are available in established subdivisions by means of private purchase. Real estate firms can provide you with further information. There have been no new subdivisions created in the Northwest Territories since the early 1980's.

Other Questions People Ask

Q13. What is the climate like?
Climatic conditions are generally severe, with an average frost-free season of approximately three months. During the summer months the hours of sunlight increase with each day until there is 24 hours of sunlight in the most northern areas.

Q14. How do I obtain maps of various lakes?
A variety of maps are available from INAC's Regional Office located in Yellowknife. These include both surface and sub-surface maps. Topographical maps are available through the Map Place also located in Yellowknife.

Q15. Do I have to pay taxes on lands outside of communities?
In most cases, property taxes are payable directly to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Q16. Are there Rules for Fuel Storage?
Above-ground storage tank systems designed to be installed in a fixed location and having a single capacity greater that 4,000 litres, or all underground storage tank systems having a capacity of more than 230 litres, must be registered with Environment Canada. Storage tank system owners are responsible for tank management, including the proper operation and maintenance of their storage tank. The tanks must be registered with INAC and information about registration is available from the Lands Administration office in Yellowknife.