Lot Grading FAQ - Residential

Make sure that your property has received a rough grade approval by the City of Edmonton. Refer to the approved rough grading inspection report for any additional information or conditions prior to proceeding with final grading.

The rough grade should be left 7 to 20 centimetres lower than final grade to allow for topsoil. The topsoil should be smoothly spread out and compacted, ready for sod, rocks or mulch. Ensure that you have good slope (10%) away from all the foundation walls, including areas under decks and steps. Also, the slope along the swales should be smooth and consistent.

When final grading has been completed on your entire property, call an Alberta Land Surveyor to survey your property and prepare a Final Grade Certificate. An electronic version of the Lot Grading Certificate should be submitted to lot.grading@edmonton.ca; however, paper versions received by fax or mail will be scanned.

The applicant must provide the surveyor with contact information.  Fax, email or mail, to receive Lot Grading Inspection Reports and Approvals from the City of Edmonton. If no contact information is specified, the City uses regular mail.

If you are the registered property owner or an agent working on behalf of the owner, lot grading information can be provided through a City of Edmonton search of records request.  

For other individuals seeking lot grading information,  you must submit a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) request. Application processing takes approximately 10 working days for a search of records and up to 30 working days for FOIP requests. The applicable fee is required per titled lot search.

The City will notify the builder and the property owner by mail once rough grade is approved. An approved rough grading inspection report, along with an instruction and information sheet called “lot grading at the final grade stage” will be attached. The builder usually notifies the homeowner as well.

If you are listed as the owner or applicant for the property in question, you can contact the City at 311 to obtain information about the status of the property. Any lot grading inspection reports or notices issued through the normal inspections and enforcement process would have or will be mailed or emailed to the owners/applicants who applied for lot grading approval.  

Your rough grade has an allowance of approximately 7 to 20 centimetres for topsoil. The topsoil should be smoothly spread out and compacted, ready for sod, rocks, and mulch.

No. An appointment is not necessary. The initial inspection takes place automatically within 10 business days of the Lot Grading Certificate being processed. A re-inspection request can be made by calling 311 (applicable fees apply). If you have a locked gate or loose pets in the yard, the lot grading inspector will require access.

No. The lot grading inspection report provides details of corrective actions you must take. You can call 311 or email lot.grading@edmonton.ca to discuss items on the report.

Yes. However, workload volumes make it difficult for the lot grading inspectors to schedule meetings, since they're usually arranged on short notice. If arranged in advance, the inspector may be able to call a half-hour before arriving on site. You can request a meeting by calling 311 or email lot.grading@edmonton.ca.

As the purchaser or acting agent of the purchaser (such as, lawyer, realtor) you must submit a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) request to obtain this information. Application processing takes approximately 30 working days. The applicable fee is required per titled lot search.

When selling a property, it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that lot grading meets approval and is in compliance with the Drainage Bylaw. As the registered property owner or an agent (such as, lawyer, builder or developer) working on behalf of the owner, you can obtain that information through a City of Edmonton search of records request.

For other individuals seeking lot grading information, you must submit a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) request.  Application processing takes approximately 10 (ten) working days for a search of records and up to 30 working days for FOIP requests. The applicable fee is required per titled lot search.
 

Yes, if you choose. The inspector evaluates the grading whether you have topsoil or sod. However, keep in mind that if you need to make grade corrections, it can be much more complicated when sod is already in place.

Raised beds or other flower bed areas should be defined as part of the final grade presentation. We recommend that the planting be delayed until the inspection occurs. 

The report references the date the lot was surveyed, the survey company, the date of the inspection, the status (failed or passed), and the due date.

If deficiencies are identified, the item, instruction and notes describe the problems and the locations. Left, right, front, and rear are determined by facing the house from the street. A copy of the grade certificate is also sent with the inspection report. If you need clarification, please call 311, fax 780-496-2865, email lot.grading@edmonton.ca, or in person at the Edmonton Service Centre, 2nd Floor, Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue NW.

The Drainage Bylaw allows 60 days for deficiency corrections. If an inspection occurs late in the season, the due date for correction is automatically adjusted to the following year.

No. If the inspector finds a concern or problem with the final grade, he or she will identify the deficiency and specify the location on the lot grading inspection report. Only the specified location requires improvement.

Yes. Fees apply for all lot grading inspections and re-inspections. The first two Rough Grade and first two Final Grade inspections are pre-paid by the Applicant / Owner at the time of Development and Building Permit application. Re-inspection fees must be paid in advance by the Applicant or Owner. Payments are accepted at the Edmonton Service Centre.

Yes. Any settlement should be repaired. However, you don't need to reschedule the inspection. The inspector will identify the areas that require your attention. Your grading will not usually fail for minor rain damage, such as erosion channels at the downspout locations. However, any 3rd party damage must be corrected in advance of the re-inspection.

Most properties located next to stormwater management facilities have a right-of-way, an easement or a restrictive covenant, registered in favour of the City of Edmonton. Easement information can be obtained by contacting Alberta Land Titles. There are restrictions in these areas that you should review prior to planning your final grade.

When applying for final grade approval, the lot grading certificate must display the location and elevation of any features constructed in the restricted area. These features include decks, fire pits, ponds, paths, bridges, retaining walls, buildings, raised gardens or grade alterations.

Yes. Lake Lots near Stormwater Management Facilities, the river valley and ravines have grading restrictions registered on the lot title. Any caveat or covenant information can be obtained by contacting  Alberta Land Titles.

Retaining walls that exceed 0.60 metres in height or that are attached to a house must be constructed to an engineered design. Refer to the Alberta Building Codes and Standards for more information or check out the Lot Grading River Valley and Ravine System and Living Near Our River Valley & Ravine System pages for additional important information. 

Many restrictive covenants prohibit structures greater than 1 metre above the design grade. The grading and drainage must conform to the lot grading plan. Retaining walls should be constructed within your own property and must facilitate surface grading.

Inspections depend on weather conditions. Inspectors will do lot grading inspections as long as they can see the ground. Normally, ideal inspection conditions occur between May and October.

Call 311. Give the agent your contact and payment information. You can also fax a request to 780-496-2865, or email a request to lot.grading@edmonton.ca. Applicable fees are required for all subsequent lot grading re-inspections in advance.

Contact your homebuilder or developer.

When a City of Edmonton Lot Grading Inspector completes a Rough or Final Grade Inspection and issues an approval, it verifies that at the time of inspection the property was in compliance with the Drainage Bylaw. From that moment on, as the owner of the property, it is your obligation to maintain the lot grading in perpetuity regardless of natural settlement or activity caused by yourself or damage by a 3rd party. Property owners are required to ensure that others do not trespass and damage grading on your private property. The City of Edmonton is unable to enforce or police such actions or determine cause or fault. That would require a civil action suit against the offending party or you as the owner should consult with the offending party and advise of the damage. You may also wish to consult with the Builder's Warranty program if damage by a 3rd party is covered.