Service Announcement
Bill 23 - Grading plans may now be required for residential infill projects
Residential infill developments may impact grading and drainage in the immediate and adjacent areas. To help mitigate impacts, the Building Division will require professional grading design to be submitted for certain residential projects.
When is a Grading Plan Required?
These residential projects require a professional grading plan to be submitted (unless exempt):
- Residential infill - single family, two family, including Ancaster “ER”-zoned areas and Beach Boulevard
- Residential addition
- Residential accessory building
- Secondary/additional detached dwelling unit
Grading Plan Exemptions
A professional grading plan is not required to be submitted for:
- Residential project with a valid Site Alteration Permit related to the proposed scope of work.
- Residential project subject to site plan approval wherein grading has been reviewed and approved by the Growth Management Division.
- Residential infill subject to a Subdivision Agreement or a Consent Agreement. (Plot plan demonstrating compliance with the Subdivision or Consent Agreement grading plan is to be submitted as part of the building permit application submission.)
- Residential accessory building provided:
- there is no removal of, or alteration to, any existing development features (e.g. swales, catch basins, area drains, etc.), and no change to grades at the property line(s); and
- it is not greater than 25 sq.m. in building area; or
- it is not greater than 55 sq.m. in building area and is at least 1.2 m from property line(s); or
- where greater than 55 sq.m. in building area, is at least 3.0 m from property line(s).
- there is no removal of, or alteration to, any existing development features (e.g. swales, catch basins, area drains, etc.), and no change to grades at the property line(s); and
- Residential addition and/or a secondary/additional detached dwelling unit provided:
- there is no removal of, or alteration to, any existing development features (e.g. swales, catch basins, area drains, etc.), and no change to grades at the property line(s); and
- it is not greater than 55 sq.m. in building area and is at least 1.2 m from a property line(s); or
- where greater than 55 sq.m. in building area, is at least 3.0 m from a property line(s).
- there is no removal of, or alteration to, any existing development features (e.g. swales, catch basins, area drains, etc.), and no change to grades at the property line(s); and
Building Permit Application Requirements
Where a grading plan is required to be submitted, the property owner shall retain a Professional Engineer (Grading Consultant) to:
- prepare, seal, sign, and date a grading plan for inclusion with the building permit application;
- provide field review to ensure compliance with the grading plan;
- complete the Lot Grading Certificate Declaration Form; and
- prepare, seal, sign, and date an as-built grading plan.
You will need to provide at the time of building permit application:
- the Owner’s Undertaking Lot Grading Form, completed by both the property owner and the Professional Engineer (Grading Consultant);
- the grading plan, sealed, signed, and dated by the Professional Engineer (Grading Consultant); and
- the applicable grading security deposit.
Larger Lots
Where a grading plan is required to be submitted and the lot size is at least 0.4 hectares (1 acre) and the development is at least 3.0 m from property line(s), the grading plan needs only to detail within 3.0 m of developed area(s). Developed area includes, but is not limited to, proposed building(s), driveway, on-site sewage system.
For minimum grading requirements, refer to the Owner's Undertaking Lot Grading Form.
Date
2023-01-12 11:25