Site Alteration Permit
In accordance with Site Alteration By-law No. 166-07, no person shall cause, permit or perform a site alteration on land within the City without a permit issued under this by-law. The by-law defines a site alteration as the placement or dumping of fill on land, the removal of topsoil from land, the alteration of the grade of land by any means including the removal of vegetative cover, the compaction of soil or the creation of impervious surfaces, or the combination of any of these activities.
Apply for Site Alteration Permit
Residents or property owners may apply for a permit by completing the Site Alteration Permit Application Form. The form must be fully completed and submitted before the City may proceed with processing the permit application.
Site Alterations that require a Permit
- Above ground swimming pools
- Below ground swimming pools
- New residential infill homes
- New residential addition
- Additional Residential Unit
- Excavate, filling or landscaping that impacts existing drainage patterns
- Pre-grading within a development application
- Pre-servicing within a development application
- Shoring Tieback encroachments within City lands related to Shoring Building Permit application
Site Alterations that do not require a Permit
- Emergency work performed in consultation with the City, subject to any requirement from the Commissioner to obtain a permit for the continuation of such work
- Cultivation or tilling of garden beds so long as such work does not have an adverse effect on existing drainage patterns on abutting properties.
- The removal of topsoil incidental to a normal agricultural practice including such removal as an incidental part of sod farming, greenhouse operations, and nurseries for horticultural products.
- Minor landscaping works, as determined at the sole discretion of the Commissioner, which are at least 0.6 meters from any property line and does not impact drainage patterns on abutting properties.
- Additions to existing dwellings or additional residential units that are generally less than 400 square feet in floor area and do not impact the surface drainage system of the property or adjacent properties.
Residents or property owners may make an inquiry to sitealteration@richmondhill.ca to help determine if their proposed landscaping or grading improvements will require a site alteration permit.
Site Alterations within Site Plan Control Area and Oak Ridges Moraine
Site Alteration Permit applications will be reviewed to determine if located within a Site Plan Control Area or within the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Site alterations for residential properties located within a Site Plan Control Area will need to be approved through a site plan application process instead of a site alteration permit. Site Plan Control Areas include properties abutting a railway and properties located within 120 metres of a shoreline as shown on Schedule "B" and “C” of the By-law 76-23. To initiate a site plan approval process, applicants are required to arrange a Pre-Submission Meeting with our Planning Development section.
Site alterations for residential properties located within the Oak Ridges Moraine are required to arrange an Oak Ridges Moraine Pre-Consultation Meeting. This process is required as part of a Site Alteration Permit application and may require additional studies such as a Natural Heritage Evaluation and an Oak Ridges Moraine Conformity Statement.
New Infill Residential Home, Addition or Additional Residential Unit - Permit Fees and Security Deposit
| Type of Fees or Security | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Fee | $1067.04 | New infill residential home, or addition or additional residential units. |
| Video Inspection Fee | $769.50 | Plus HST. |
| Landscaping Review Fee | $634.07 | Only applicable if proposed alteration involves removal or injury to an existing tree subject to our Tree Bylaw. |
| Security Deposit | $10,000.00 | This refundable deposit will be released after City inspection and all deficiencies, repairs, or other obligations under the applicable permit and Site Alteration By-law have been completed. |
| Water, Sanitary, or Storm Service Connections Fee | TBD | The fee amount will be determined by the City-based on servicing requirements for a specific property using standard rates in the City Tariff of Fee Bylaw. |
Submission Requirements for New Infill Residential Home, Additions or Additional Residential Unit
A digital copy (pdf) of a Grading/Servicing Plan for a new infill residential home, addition or additional residential unit shall be submitted with the permit application. The Grading/Servicing Plan shall be prepared by a Professional Engineer or Ontario Land Surveyor. The plan shall be prepared in accordance with Schedule “B” of the Site Alteration By-law. The design of all proposed grading and drainage systems shall conform to the City Standards and Specifications Manual.
View a summary list of requirements to be included on the Grading/Servicing Plan.
Please contact patricia.huke@richmondhill.ca to obtain a sample Grading/Servicing Plan.
Excavate, Filling or Landscaping Site Alteration - Permit Fees and Security Deposit
| Type of Permit | Permit Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Fee | $640.22 | Excavate, Filling or Landscaping |
| Landscaping Review Fee | $634.07 | Only applicable if proposed alteration involves removal or injury to an existing tree subject to our Tree Bylaw. |
| Security Deposit | TBD | Security amount will be confirmed by City staff based on scope of proposed site alteration. Security deposit will be refunded upon City inspection clearance. |
Submission Requirements for Excavate, Filling or Landscaping
Excavate, Filling or Landscaping Site Alteration Permit applications need to include a Grading Plan. A digital copy (pdf format) of a Grading Plan for the excavation, filling or landscaping shall be submitted with the permit application. The Grading Plan shall be prepared by a Professional Engineer or Ontario Land Surveyor. The plan shall be prepared in accordance with Schedule “B” of the Site Alteration By-law. The design of all proposed grading and drainage systems shall conform to the City Standards and Specifications Manual.
Residents or property owners may make an inquiry to sitealteration@richmondhill.ca to obtain a sample grading plan and list or requirements for this type of site alteration.
Pre-servicing, Pre-grading and Shoring Tieback - Permit Fees and Securities
| Type of Fees or Security | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Fee | $5,333.15 | Pre-servicing, Pre-grading and Shoring Tieback. |
| Pre-servicing Engineering Review Fee | TBD | Applicable to subdivision pre-servicing and site plan municipal servicing only and amount to be confirmed by City Project Coordinator for development application. |
| Security Amounts | TBD | Security amounts will be confirmed by the City Project Coordinator for the applicable site plan or subdivision development application |
Payment of Permit Fees and Security
- After submission of a permit application, staff will confirm the applicable fees and securities and email an invoice to the applicant. Payment shall be made by the registered owner of the property (not by the applicant or contractor).
- Payment must be made by certified cheque or bank draft only (payment by credit card or personal cheque will not be accepted by City). Please ensure that a copy of the invoice is included with your payment and include the Site Alteration Permit Number on your certified cheque or bank draft.
- Payment may be made in person at the Access Richmond Hill counter on the Ground Floor at our City Office located at 225 East Beaver Creek Road. Access Richmond Hill will issue a receipt for payment made in person. Remember to bring a copy of the invoice for payment in person.
- Payment may also be made by mail, courier, or placed in the drop box located inside the front doors at the entrance to the City Office. Provide an envelope including a copy of the Invoice and the certified cheque or bank draft. Please use the following label on the front of the envelope and do not include any staff names.
Access Richmond Hill
Site Alteration Permit Payment
City of Richmond Hill Ground Floor
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4B 3P4
- For payment by mail, courier or by drop box, the receipt will be provided by the City with the final Site Alteration Permit.
Release of Security Deposit
Once the site alteration is complete, the property owner shall notify the City (via email at sitealteration@richmondhill.ca) and request the release of the security deposit. Staff will then arrange for mandatory inspections of the site alteration. Owners must advise the City if they wish to meet with staff at their property during the inspections. Staff will arrange for a mutual time to meet with the owner. After the inspection is completed, staff will advise the owner in writing of any deficiencies that require repair to conform to the site alteration plan, permit requirements, and any damages to municipal services (e.g. concrete sidewalks or curbs, boulevards, etc.) that require repair due to construction. Additional inspections may be required after the owner has remediated the identified deficiencies. The security deposit will be released once all deficiencies, repairs, or other obligations under the applicable permit and Site Alteration By-law have been completed to the satisfaction of the City.
The requirements for pool enclosure fencing are outlined in Chapter 973 of the City Municipal Code. Generally, the enclosure fence shall be located a minimum of 1.5m from the water edge and shall range in height from 1.2m to 1.8m. Enclosure gates shall be self-closing or self-latching; and shall have a child-proof lock located 1.5m above the pool deck.