Thank you for contacting the Development Engineering Division to share your concerns regarding drainage and/or fill importation in your area. Our division takes these concerns seriously and will do our best to assist. The Town’s By-law No. 2011-0044 (REG-1), as amended, enables us to prevent homeowners and/or their representatives from performing non-permitted site alterations which would interfere with existing drainage patterns, causing additional storm water to be discharged onto adjacent lands. These changes may include increases in property elevation, impeding drainage paths, or diverting water as a result of fill placement. Accordingly, our division does not regulate or enforce the direction of downspouts, or any mechanical means of discharge which includes sump pumps or irrigation systems; these are civil matters between property owners.
To investigate a drainage or fill complaint, we require evidence of the activities taking place and/or the area that has been adversely affected. As such, please provide this division with photographs of the incident via the form below. Our staff receive an extremely high volume of drainage and/or fill complaints so the photos and description help us determine which concerns would be considered high-risk and if our staff should attend immediately. Note that your identity will not be disclosed to the owner of the subject property or his/her representatives. The information collected below is for internal purposes only.
Please be advised that as a result of reduced working hours and employees working remotely, drainage or fill concerns are currently being investigated within three to four weeks of submission, dependant on inspector availability. If, however, the complaint appears to be of immediate concern, this division will act accordingly.
Please also be advised that if the property you are concerned about is regulated by Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA), the LSRCA also has enforcement staff available to review your concern. You can determine whether the site is LSRCA regulated by searching the address here.