Lot grading plans and erosion and sediment control plans
Grading, drainage, ESC and site servicing plans prepared by our licensed civil engineers, ready for your municipality, TRCA and other Conservation Authorities. For homeowners, builders, developers and contractors across Ontario.
Prepared to the TRCA Erosion and Sediment Control Guide · We respond within 10 minutes to 4 hours on business days.
The civil drawings your permit asks for
Building a new home, adding on, putting in a pool or changing the yard often triggers a grading or ESC requirement. Here's what each plan covers.
Lot grading plan
Shows how your lot drains before and after construction, so water moves away from your house and your neighbours'.
- Existing and proposed spot elevations
- Swales, slopes and drainage direction
- Matches the municipal grading standard
Erosion and sediment control plan
Keeps soil on site and out of storm sewers, creeks and the street while work is underway.
- Silt fence, mud mat and catch basin protection
- Stockpile and access locations
- Prepared to TRCA and CA guidelines
Site grading and drainage plan
For sites with drainage problems or larger changes: overland flow routes, outlets and how roof and surface water leave the property.
- Overland flow routes and outlets
- Downspout and sump discharge
- Fixes for ponding and wet basements
Site servicing plans
Water, sanitary and storm connections for new builds, infill and additional units.
TRCA and Conservation Authority submissions
Drawings and coordination for TRCA and other CA permits on regulated lots.
Grading certification and as-builts
Final grading sign-off so the municipality can release your lot grading deposit.
From one backyard to a full subdivision lot
Homeowners
Pools, additions, garden suites and new homes that need a grading plan before the permit is issued.
Custom home builders
Grading, ESC and servicing drawings delivered with your structural package, on your schedule.
Developers and infill
Site servicing, drainage and CA submissions for severances, infill lots and multi-unit sites.
Contractors and landscapers
Grading plans and as-built certificates when the city asks for engineer sign-off on your work.
From request to approved plan
Send your project details
Address, what you're building and any comments from the city. A survey helps if you have one.
Quote and survey check
We confirm what's required and whether a topographic survey is needed, then send a fixed quote.
Plans prepared and sealed
We design the grading, drainage and ESC measures and seal the drawings.
Submission and comments
We respond to municipal and Conservation Authority comments until the plan is accepted.
Building on a TRCA-regulated lot?
Lots inside a Conservation Authority regulated area usually need an erosion and sediment control plan and a CA permit before work starts. We prepare ESC plans to the TRCA erosion and sediment control guide and coordinate the submission.
Common questions
When do I need a lot grading plan?
Most Ontario municipalities require one for new homes, additions that change the footprint, pools, garden suites and any work that changes how the lot drains. If your permit review asked for a grading plan, this is it.
What is an erosion and sediment control plan?
It shows the measures that keep soil on site during construction, such as silt fence, a mud mat at the entrance, catch basin protection and stockpile locations. It's often required near watercourses and on sites in a Conservation Authority regulated area.
Do I need a TRCA permit?
If your lot is near a creek, ravine, valley or Lake Ontario shoreline, it may be in a TRCA regulated area. Development there needs a TRCA permit, which usually asks for an erosion and sediment control plan prepared to the TRCA guide. We can check your address and handle the submission.
Do I need a survey first?
A lot grading plan is based on existing elevations, so a recent topographic survey is usually needed. If you don't have one, we'll tell you when we quote and can arrange it.
How long does it take?
Most residential grading and ESC plans are ready in one to two weeks once we have the survey. Municipal and CA review times vary.
Can you fix an existing drainage problem?
Yes. We assess where water is going, then design regrading, swales or outlets to move it away from the house and off the property properly.
Request a grading or ESC plan quote
Tell us about the property and what the city or Conservation Authority has asked for. A licensed engineer will respond within 10 minutes to 4 hours on business days.
Prefer to talk?(416) 291-7474