The purpose of lot grading is to shape the land to direct stormwater away from buildings and towards a private drainage system or City right-of-way. This assists in protecting buildings and properties from stormwater drainage issues, and is regulated through Drainage Bylaw 18093.

The Commercial Lot Grading Guidelines apply to all non-residential (commercial, industrial, institutional) developments, large-scale residential developments (apartments, row houses and other residential developments with multiple buildings), mixed-use (a mix of residential and non-residential) developments, and temporary structures such as storage sheds and sea cans. It is intended to assist property owners, developers, builders and contractors with successful planning and execution of lot grading approvals, inspections and compliance with Drainage Bylaw 18093.

Condominium Row Housing

A Lot Grading Plan must be submitted for review and approval, along with an application for a Development Permit. 

The Lot Grading Plan must be approved on behalf of the City Manager before the construction of any buildings, additions to buildings, or alterations of surface drainage. This plan specifies design elevations, surface gradients, swale locations, and a relationship between adjacent properties; its approval is an effective basis for the control of surface drainage.

Boston Pizza building

The Commercial Lot Grading Guidelines provide the procedures and requirements for surface drainage.

Information for small-scale Residential Lot Grading can be found in the Residential Lot Grading Guidelines.