Site Alteration Permits

Site Alteration is defined as any alteration to the existing grade of land through the movement, removal or placement of Fill. Any alteration to the grade of the land including filling, dumping, extracting or moving soil must be performed in compliance with the City of Kawartha Lakes By-law 2019-105 (download), which regulates the removal of topsoil, placement of fill and the alteration of grades.

For the purposes of this By-law, Fill is defined as any type of imported or relocated material deposited or placed on the Property and includes soil, stone, concrete, slurry, sod or turf.

All Fill must meet the applicable Site Condition Standards, must not contain putrescible materials, must be free of termites and invasive species, including the eggs and seeds of such species and must pass a slump test as outlined in the General Waste Management provisions contained in Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 347. Soil must meet Table 1 standards of the “Soil, Ground Water and Sediment Standards for Use under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act” published by the MOECC dated April 15, 2011, as amended.

The main purpose of the By-law is to avoid creating drainage problems and ensure that ground water and the environment is protected from contaminated material.  

For projects within an area Regulated by the Conservation Authority, the City will defer to the Conservation Authority’s requirements.  Please contact the applicable Conservation Authority for fill permitting in Regulated Areas.  You can also refer to this map to identify your area.

If you are pursuing a Planning Application and land development (i.e. proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision/Condominium, Site Plan, etc.), Site Alteration will be addressed through the applicable development application process.  Site Alteration Approval will not be granted through a Site Alteration Permit Agreement described below.

To file a complaint, please fill out a Municipal Law Enforcement general complaint form.

Depending on the type of works you are proposing on your property, you may need a Site Alteration Permit prior to construction to ensure that you, your neighbours and/or the environment are not negatively impacted.

To see if you require a Site Alteration Permit, please review the Site Alteration Self-Screening Form.  This Form is a tool to assist in the interpretation of the By-Law and is not required to be submitted to the City. 

Site Alteration and Movement of Fill conducted as part of agricultural exemptions should align with the OMAFRA Factsheet 16-055, AGDEX 510, Importation of Soil onto Agricultural Land, dated October 2016.

Earth moving companies and contractors may approach residents in the City of Kawartha Lakes offering Fill for free. If you are contacted by someone wanting to supply you with Fill for your property, there are certain things you should know:

  • Altering the grade of your property could change the way water flows on and off. Water that doesn't flow properly can cause problems for yourself or your neighbours, such as basement flooding, ponding, erosion and sedimentation during spring thaws or rainstorms.
  • Contaminated soil can negatively impact the ground water and environment, affecting wells, ponds, rivers, streams, and lakes.

Once the soil is delivered onto the owner's property, it becomes the property owner’s responsibility for the cost of any removal or contaminated soil clean up.

As part of municipal Capital projects and Operational activities (i.e. road reconstruction, road resurfacing, ditching, parkland development, etc.) excess soils may be generated and require disposal.  City staff administering the activity are responsible to ensure soil characterization and proper disposal.   The City will provide a letter documenting the disposal location and the site specific disposal requirements.  Property owners must ensure they receive this documentation prior to the acceptance of any material.

Site Alteration Permits/Agreements are administered by the Engineering & Corporate Assets Department, in coordination with other City departments. The specifics of the project will determine the requirements under the by-law.

The Permitting/Agreement process includes the requirement for professionally prepared site plans and studies to address the site-specific conditions and demonstrate compliance with the By-law and all other agencies with jurisdiction. A submission to the Development Engineering Division must be prepared by a Qualified Person (QP).

A Qualified Person (QP), is defined in Ontario Regulation 153/04 as amended and Ontario Regulation 406/19 as amended, and includes:

(a) a person who holds a licence, limited licence or temporary licence under the Professional Engineers Act; or

(b) a person who holds a certificate of registration under the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000 and is a practising member, temporary member or limited member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.  O. Reg. 66/08, s. 2.

For a site alteration permit from the City of Kawartha Lakes, Engineering requires the following information to be submitted by a Qualified Person (QP), electronically:

  1. Confirmation of Property Ownership and Letter of Authorization to QP from Property Owner
  2. Scope and purpose of proposed work
  3. Property location and zoning
  4. Legal and Topographic survey, identifying property lines, existing conditions/vegetation/elevations and proposed conditions/vegetation/elevations, existing and proposed drainage patterns, regulated areas.
  5. Location of proposed work on your property, detailed on a topographic plan of survey, including property set-backs.
  6. Estimated volume of fill material (cubic metres) to be brought to the site
  7. Proposed height of berms/stockpiles, etc, seeding/stabilizing of berms/stockpiles
  8. Source of fill material
  9. Chemical analysis, confirmed by a Qualified Person to meet the appropriate criteria under Table 1 of the Soil, ground water and sediment standards for use under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act, based on the land use and zoning.
  10. Site Erosion and Sediment Controls, including managing the haul route
  11. Proposed Haul Route
  12. Proposed Schedule of Work

Engineering Staff will then review and confirm Site Alteration Permit/Agreement requirements, insurance, and payment of fees required.

This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.