Site Alteration By-law 2024-017 controls the dumping of fill, removal of fill and alteration of grades on individual properties in Clarington.
Before you place or dump fill or topsoil, remove soil or alter the grade, you must have a site alteration permit. In addition, no fill may be imported from outside of Clarington. Any person who violates the by-law may be subject to a fine and/or an "order to remove" as set out by the courts under the Provincial Offences Act.
The Municipality of Clarington is consulting the public about Clarington’s Site Alteration By-law to ensure that our environment is protected, and our residents remain safe. The current by-law was enacted in 2008 to regulate the grading, filling or dumping on land, and removal of topsoil from land.
Effective regulation of the alteration of sites is an extremely important function, especially for a municipality like Clarington that is poised for significant population growth and new development. Site alteration regulation can be challenging, and the negative impacts of the importation of illegal and contaminated fill can be significant to the community and environment.
Subject to some minor exceptions, you must have a site alteration permit if you are undertaking site alteration work in the Municipality of Clarington.
Changes are needed to update the by-law to meet current Provincial regulations and to make sure the rules and requirements are stated clearly. Public input, especially from affected businesses, is welcomed to ensure that the correct balance is achieved.
To submit questions or comments, please email SiteAlterationBylaw@clarington.net. The deadline to submit comments on the Site Alteration By-law Update is Friday, February 9, 2024.
It's now easier than ever to apply for a site alteration permit with our new Service Clarington portal. To get started, visit the Service Clarington portal and register for a new account.
Learn more about how to use the portal at www.clarington.net/ServiceClarington.
Apply for a site alteration permit.
Your lot will be graded to comply with the Municipal standards. If your lot contains a drainage swale (ditch), you must not fill it in or change it in any way as this affects the drainage of your lot as well as that of neighbouring properties.
At the time of your house purchase (if your home is new), you may pay a grading deposit to the builder to ensure that you do not adversely affect or alter the grading of your lot prior to assumption of the subdivision by the Municipality. Homeowners should check their Purchase and Sale Agreement to find out when the builder will return the deposit. The builder is legally responsible to refund the deposit to the new homeowner as per the agreement.
Building permits for decks and pool enclosures may not be issued until the developer's Professional Engineer certifies the lot grading.
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