BURLINGTON'S GRADING & DRAINAGE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE

The City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate Bylaw requires a Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate prior to the issuance of any building permit for works on all Low-Density Residential Lands in Burlington exempted from site plan control which enables the City of Burlington's Engineering Services Department to regulate grading and drainage for all residential buildings exempted from site plan control. 

The City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate Bylaw  does not apply to development construction where the Finished Grade is regulated by an approved Site Alteration Permit, Site Plan, Draft Plan of Subdivision, Approved Subdivision Grading Plan or a Consent under Sections 41, 51 or 53 of the Planning Act or as a requirement of a Site Plan Agreement or

Subdivision Agreement entered into under those sections.

The impacts of climate change are affecting the weather year-round, resulting in more frequent high intensity, short duration storms as well as an increased frequency of freeze-thaw cycles in the winter. The City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate Bylaw provides the City of Burlington with mechanisms to regulate grading and drainage for all residential buildings exempted from Site Plan Control. This is an important component in providing resiliency to protect the City of Burlington from flooding events because of climate change.

The Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate application should be submitted with the Zoning Clearance Certificate as part of the Pre-Building Approval Application to the City of Burlington. 

We prepare stamped engineering engineered Site Servicing, Grading, Drainage & Erosion/Sediment Control Plans that would fulfill all engineering requirements of the City of Burlington, Region of Halton and/or Halton Region Conservation Authority to obtainGrading and Drainage Clearance Certifcates from the Ci8ty of Burlington. 

A Grading and Drainage Plan is deemed to be approved when it meets the requirements of the City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate Bylaw and a Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate has been issued by the Executive Director of Capital Works for The Corporation of the City of Burlington.

A Grading and Drainage Plan, pursuant to the City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate Bylaw, shall be to the satisfaction

of the Executive Director of Capital Works for The Corporation of the City of Burlington and include but not be limited to the following:

• The Grading and Drainage Plan (the “Plan”) must be stamped and certified by an Ontario Land Surveyor or a Professional Engineer.
• Only a Grading and Drainage Plan drawn to a metric scale of 1:100, 1:200, 1:250, or 1:300 will be accepted.
• All property lines shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan.
• If the City of Burlington’s right-of-way is not at its deemed width, an Ontario Land Surveyor will need to determine the required right-of-way widening measured from the original centreline of the City of Burlington’s right-of-way and to 3 decimal places and the deemed right-of-way shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan.
• All site engineering shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan and shall not encroach onto the City of Burlington’s deemed right-of-way or adjacent lands.
• All site engineering shall be in accordance with City of Burlington Lot Grading Standard Drawings S-118, and S-119.
• All restoration of the City’s right-of-way shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan and shall be in accordance with the City of Burlington Reinstatement Standard Drawings S-114, S114-A and S-114-B, as required.
• All existing and proposed elevations shall be derived from a City of Burlington control monument and reference to the monument shall be provided on the Plan. For a complete list of control monuments, visit the City of Burlington’s Navigate Burlington webpage: https://navburlburlington.opendata.arcgis.com/pages/apps.
• The location, dimensions and elevations of the existing grade, including swales, ditches and any drainage system appurtenances, on the site and 5 m beyond the property line for the adjacent lands and the location, dimensions, elevations and grade of any proposed site engineering, including swales, ditches and any drainage system appurtenances, to address site runoff shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan.
• Drainage system appurtenances shall be designed to accommodate the stormwater runoff of a 5-year storm event and the design shall be certified by a Professional Engineer;
• The minimum required slope for side and rear yard swales shall be 2% or shall require subdrain;
• The minimum required slope for finished ground (except impervious surfaces) shall be 1%;
• The maximum permitted slope for finished ground (except impervious surfaces) shall be: 2:1 for slopes less than 0.6 m in height; 3:1 for slopes from 0.6 m to 1.25 m in height; 4:1 for slopes greater than 1.25 m in height; and Minimum slope for impervious surfaces (except driveways) shall be 0.5%.
• The location, dimensions, elevations, and use of any buildings and other structures, including fencing, to be protected or demolished or proposed to be erected on the site and adjacent lands shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan. The provided elevations of any buildings and other structures on the site shall include and be in accordance with the following (where applicable): Top of Foundation Wall (TFW) – shall be a minimum of 0.15 m above surrounding finished ground elevations; Finished Floor Elevation (FFE) – shall be a minimum of 0.30 m above TFW; Basement Slab Elevation (BSE); Underside of Footing Elevation (USF); and Garage Floor Elevation (GFE).
• The location, dimensions, and elevations of any retaining walls to be protected or demolished or proposed to be erected on the site shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan. Any proposed retaining walls shall be located a minimum of 0.3 m from the property line. Any proposed retaining walls greater than 1 m in height shall be designed by a Professional Engineer. Any proposed retaining walls greater than 0.6 m in height may require a barrier.
• The location, dimensions, elevations and grade of existing or proposed driveways, including the locations of existing and proposed driveway curb cuts shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan. Proposed driveways shall be in accordance with the following: Normal Driveway – shall be between 2% (minimum) and 8% (maximum); and Reverse Sloped Driveway – shall be between 2% (minimum) and 5% (maximum) and shall only be permitted when it is proven by a Professional Engineer that the driveway will not flood during a 100-year storm event.
• The location and discharge direction of all existing and proposed sump pumps and downspouts shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan. Sump pumps shall not discharge to a side yard and both sump pumps and downspouts shall discharge to a permeable surface via concrete splash pads or outlet extensions.
• The location of any existing and proposed underground services (water, sanitary, storm, gas, and hydro) and appurtenances and any aboveground utilities (overhead lines, poles, boxes, etc.) and any connections to services or utilities on the City of Burlington’s right-of-way shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan.
• The location, dimensions, and instrument number of any existing or proposed easements shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan.
• The location and details of all site control measures shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan.
• The location of Environmentally Sensitive Areas, as identified in the Halton Region Environmentally Sensitive Areas Consolidation Report, lakes, streams, channels, ditches, swales, water courses, and other bodies of water on the site and 15 m beyond the property lines for sites less than 0.2 ha, and 30 m beyond the property lines for site greater than 0.2 ha shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan.
• The location and dimensions of Conservation Halton’s regulated area shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan (where applicable).
• The location and diameter at breast height (DBH) for any City of Burlington owned trees shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan Plan. All City-owned trees require tree protection, in accordance with City of Burlington Tree Protection and Preservation Specification SS12A, the location and details of which shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan. Any proposed removal of City of Burlington owned trees may require Council approval.
• The location and diameter at breast height (DBH) for any privately owned trees on the site and within 3 m of the property line on adjacent lands and with a DBH of 0.1 m or shall be shown on the Grading and Drainage Plan. All other vegetation shall be shown as massed outlines. 

The City of Burlington, its employees, officers, and/ or agents are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies, due to negligence or otherwise. All information should be verified.

The owner and Applicant for the Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate are responsible for the following:

• Ensure all works on the site are completed in accordance with the approved Grading and Drainage Plan that details the site engineering and forming part of the Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate issued by the City of Burlington.
• Execute a Drainage System Appurtenances Agreement, if required by the Executive Director of Capital Works, and register the Drainage System Appurtenances Agreement against title on the Site when the Grading and Drainage Plan includes drainage system appurtenances on the Site and for the Site’s drainage only. The Agreement shall be to the satisfaction of the City of Burlington's Solicitor and shall be in accordance with Schedule “C” of By-law 52-2018.
• Ensure that any changes in grading and drainage will not have a negative impact on the adjacent properties and to comply with all other City of Burlington's by-laws.
• Document (i.e. photograph/video) the preconstruction condition of the City of Burlington’s right-of-way that is adjacent to the Site and provide copies of this documentation to the City of Burlington, at its discretion, in order to assess any damage to the City of Burlington’s right-of-way that may have been caused during construction. All damage to the City of Burlington’s right-of-way will be attributed to the construction if the pre-construction condition is not documented.
• Ensure that an Entrance Permit is obtained from the City of Burlington's Capital Works Department, if required by the Director, prior to the commencement of any construction.
• Ensure that a Permit for Construction on Public Property is obtained from the City of Burlington's Capital Works Department, if required by the Director, prior to the commencement of any construction on the City of Burlington’s right-of-way and to ensure that any restoration of the City of Burlington’s right-of-way is completed in accordance with the City of Burlington Reinstatement Standard Drawings S-114, S114-A, and S-114-B, as required. Contact the City of Burlington’s Utility Coordinator at 905-335-7600 ext. 7668 for permit and additional security requirements.
• Ensure that a Road Occupancy Permit is obtained from the City of Burlington's Transportation Services Department, if required by the Director of Transportation Services, for storage of equipment/bins/materials/etc. on the City of Burlington’s right-of-way.
• Ensure that throughout the duration of construction all City of Burlington’s right-of-ways and adjacent lands are kept in good condition and clear of construction materials and debris. If deemed damaged by the Executive Director of Capital Works for the Corporation of the City of Burlington, the City of Burlington’s right-of-ways and/or adjacent lands will be restored immediately and to the satisfaction of the Executive Director of Capital Works for the City of Burlington. All costs associated with the restoration of the City of Burlington’s right-of-ways and/or adjacent lands shall be borne by the Owner and Applicant. Failure to complete the restoration works in a period of time deemed satisfactory to the Executive Director of Capital Works for the City of Burlington may result in the necessary works being carried out by the City of Burlington’s contractor and charged against the security, pursuant to By-law 52-2018.
• Contact the City of Burlington's Capital Works staff and request that the City of Burlington carry out a final inspection of the completed works on the Site, the adjacent lands and the City of Burlington’s right-of-way. If the completed works are deemed acceptable and the terms and conditions of the City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate have been complied with the securities shall be released.
• Indemnify and forever save harmless the City of Burlington, it’s officers, employees, and agents, and City Council, from any claim, suit, demand, action, costs, or causes of action against the City of Burlington by any other party, arising out of or in connection with the City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate or any work, act, matter or thing done or omitted to be done by the City of Burlington, its officers, employees or agents or the City Council pursuant to or in connection with the City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate.
• Authorize the City of Burlington's Capital Works Department staff to enter the property (exterior only) for the limited purpose of inspecting the proposed, approved, and/or constructed works associated with the City of Burlington's Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate.

Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate Application

Application Fee payable to the City of Burlington: 

New dwellings or large additions (equal to or greater than 75 sq.m.) - $1,350

Small additions (less than 75 sq.m.) or accessory buildings/decks/etc. - $300

• The minimum required Security payable to the City of Burlington for Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificates for new housing development and large additions (floor area increases of 75 sq.m. or greater) on Low-Density Residential Lands: $5,000 
• The minimum required Security payable to the City of Burlington for Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificates for small additions (floor area increases of less than 75 sq.m.) and accessory buildings/decks/etc. on Low Density Residential Lands: $5,000 

 We need the following to prepare the required Grading and Drainage Plans to obtain Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificates from the City of Burlington:

·  CAD drawing of the site plan showing the following details:

• Proposed building location, including porches and steps/stairs
• Proposed/existing road layout including curbs, sidewalks
• Proposed /existing fencing including acoustical, privacy, and flankage fencing
• Proposed setbacks
• A "Zone Matrix" summarizing the applicable sections of the Zoning By-law including the required setbacks and proposed setbacks

·  Architectural & Structural Drawings showing

• Proposed elevations including the finished first floor, basement floor, top of foundation wall, underside of footing, and garage entrance.
• ·Engineered fill and extended footing information, where required
• Sill elevations at side entrances where elevation differs from the finished first-floor
• The number of risers at each entrance
• Proposed roof downspout locations
• Proposed Retaining Walls

·  Arborist Report & Landscape Architect Drawings Showing

• Existing trees to be preserved
• Proposed locations for all tree protection zones

·  Plan-profile drawings of municipal Sanitary Sewers, Storm Sewers and Watermains

·  If applicable, locations of any regulatory flood lines or development limit lines (i.e. setback and slope stability limits from the Halton Conservation Authority).

The required Site Servicing & Grading/Drainage Plan incorporating an Erosion/Sediment Control Plan to obtain a Grdaing and Drainage Clearance Certificate from the City of Burlingtond for an infill home would cost $1,990+HST plus Disbursements to obtain the Plan-Profile Drawings from the municipal archives - $89+HST and upon the receipt of all the required information will be ready in 4 to 7 days.

A minimum of 10 business days is required to obtain the Plan-Profile Drawings from the municipal Archives, however, significantly longer wait times are common.

If deemed necessary, the design of an infiltration gallery (soakaway) would cost $1,295+HST, and if inevitably required a stormwater management report would cost $1,895+HST.

If the soakaway pit is being proposed, a test pit may be required by the City of Burlington to confirm the clearance of the water table and soil percolation. Our fee to visit the site to observe the depth of the groundwater table and one soil sample analysis would be $695+HST.

Having vast experience in municipal engineering design, we offer effective, innovative, and cost-efficient Site Grading Plans, Drainage Plans, Erosion & Sediment Control Plans, Site Servicing Plans, and Stormwater Management Designs, Plans and Reports to our clients. Our team of engineers' proficiency in conceptualizing designs and plan in accordance with our clients' requirements has made us very successful. 

For Additional Information regarding a Grading and Drainage Plan to obtain a Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate from the City of Burlington, please contact the following key members of our team of Civil Engineers:

• Miaoyi Xue, P.Eng,
• Joo Min Park, MEng, P.Eng.
• Edgar Labuac, P.Eng
• Weiming Lin, B.Eng
• Rui Cong Xia, B.ASc (Civil)

LAND & BUILDING EXPERTS

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