Accretion and Natural Boundary Adjustment

The waterfront property owner may acquire land through accretion, which involves the gradual buildup of land along the water body due to natural sedimentation or shoreline recession. This process results in extending the upland area and becoming part of the owner’s property. Conversely, erosion of the upland gradually transfers ownership to the foreshore or bed of the water body, which becomes Crown-owned land.

In cases of erosion or accretion, the boundaries reflected on the title plan may not accurately represent the current extent of ownership. To update the title, a BC land surveyor must prepare a new survey plan, reflecting any changes, which will then lead to the issuance of a new certificate of title.