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 5% slope away from all the foundation walls, including areas under decks and steps. Also, the slope along the swales should be smooth and consistent.
How do I get my lot ready for final inspection?
How do I apply for Final Grade Approval?
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 is then submitted online at Lot Grading Self-Serve.
Before the inspection, please ensure the site is accessible, gates are unlocked, dogs and other animals are contained inside and any materials/objects that would impede the grading inspection or make it difficult to inspect the grading are removed.
How do I find out if the City ever issued rough or final grade approval for a property and obtain the documentation?
You can check the status of lot grading online at Lot Grading Self-Serve.
If you are the registered property owner or an agent working on behalf of the owner, lot grading documents 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.
How do I know if my rough grade is approved?
You can check the status of your lot grading online at Lot Grading Self-Serve.
The City will notify the builder once rough grade is approved by sending the rough grade approval report and certificate. The current property owner will receive a rough grade approval report.
How do I find out if my recent final grade Inspection was approved?
You can check the status of your lot grading online at Lot Grading Self-Serve.
Any lot grading inspection reports or notices issued through the normal inspections and enforcement process would have been, or will be mailed or emailed to the property owner/applicant who applied for lot grading approval.
How much topsoil do I need to get to final grade?
Your rough grade has an allowance of approximately 7 to 20 centimetres for topsoil. The topsoil should be smoothly spread out, compacted and ready for sod, liners, rocks and mulch.
Can I use washed rock, decorative rock, or bark chips to bring the land up to final grade?
No. If rocks, wood chips, or other porous decorative material is planned for use in the final landscaping, the underlying clay base, rough grade, must be raised to final grade elevations before laying this material. Rocks or wood chips cannot make up for the -20 centimetres to -7 centimetres of final grade because surface water can flow through those materials. Refer to the Residential Lot Grading Guidelines for more information.
Do I need to book an appointment for an inspection?
No. Requests for inspections are made online at Lot Grading Self-Serve and they are generally completed in the order they are received. You are not required to be present at the time of an inspection and inspectors cannot provide exact days or times for their arrival.
Before the inspection, please ensure the site is accessible (gates are unlocked), dogs and other animals are contained inside and any materials/objects that would impede the grading inspection or make it difficult to inspect the grading are removed.
How long does it take to get the property inspected?
Inspections are generally completed in the order they are received (usually within 7-10 business days from the date of the request, weather and inspection volume dependent). This does not include the time that it takes for the survey company to gather their information and submit the lot grading certificate.
Do I need to be present for the inspection?
No. Before the inspection, please ensure the site is accessible (gates are unlocked), dogs and other animals are contained inside and any materials/objects that would impede the grading inspection or make it difficult to inspect the grading are removed.
The lot grading inspection report provides details of corrective actions you must take.
I am buying a property in Edmonton. How do I find out if there are any outstanding lot grading approvals that I should be aware of?
You can check the status of lot grading online at Lot Grading Self-Serve.
As the purchaser or acting agent of the purchaser (such as a lawyer or realtor) you must submit a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) request to obtain this information. Application processing takes approximately 30 business days.
I am selling a property in Edmonton and I would like to know if there are any outstanding lot grading approvals that I should be aware of?
You can check the status of lot grading online at Lot Grading Self-Serve.
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 property owner or an agent, such as a lawyer, builder or developer working on behalf of the owner, you can obtain lot grading documents through a City of Edmonton search of records request.
Can I lay down sod before the inspector comes out?
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 more complicated when sod is already in place.
Can I plant flowers and flower beds before the inspector comes out?
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.
How do I read the lot grading inspection report?
The report references the date the lot was surveyed, the survey company, the date of the inspection, the status of whether it failed or passed, and, if failed, the due date to fix the deficiencies.
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.
How long do I have to fix the deficiencies?
The Drainage Bylaw allows 60 days for deficiency corrections.
How do I fix the deficiencies?
You need to adjust the grade levels where indicated on the lot grading inspection report. Refer to the lot grading requirements to assist in locating the type and extent of the correction. Some repairs may be as simple as adding some topsoil to a low area, or as complex as removing sod and lowering the soil to repair a high area.
What happens if I have laid down sod and the inspection fails? Do I have to rip up all the sod?
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.
Is there a charge for lot grading inspections or re-inspections?
Yes. The first two rough grade and first two final grade inspections are pre-paid by the applicant/property owner at the time of development application. After two failed inspections, the re-inspection fees must be paid in advance by the applicant or property owner. Re-inspection and fees can be requested and paid online at Lot Grading Self-Serve. See the Payments page for in-person or telephone options.
I had my grading ready for inspection, and then it rained. Now my grading is damaged/settled. Am I required to fix it?
Yes. Any settlement or erosion damage should be repaired.
I live on a lake lot, near or beside the River Valley or a ravine, is there anything that I should know?
Most properties located next to stormwater management facilities have a right-of-way, easement or restrictive covenant registered on title which often contains development restrictions that you should review prior to planning your final grade.
It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure these restrictions are followed during and after the lot grading process. Title documents are available from an Alberta Registry Agent.
I live on a lake lot or near or beside the River Valley and would like to build a retaining wall. Are there any restrictions or requirements?
Most properties located next to stormwater management facilities have a right-of-way, easement or restrictive covenant registered on the title which often contains development restrictions that you should review before planning your final grade.
It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure these restrictions are followed during and after the lot grading process. Title documents are available from an Alberta registry agent.
How early or late in the season does the City of Edmonton do lot grading inspections?
Inspections depend on weather conditions. Inspectors will complete lot grading inspections as long as they can see the ground. Normally, ideal inspection conditions occur between May and October.
How do I request a re-inspection?
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 in advance for all subsequent lot grading re-inspections.
I had my grading approved, and the neighbour's construction/grading damaged mine. Who is responsible for fixing it?
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 property owner, it is your obligation to maintain the lot grading permanently regardless of natural settlement or activity caused by yourself or damage by a 3rd party. This is considered a civil matter that falls outside the authority of the Drainage Bylaw for which the City of Edmonton is unable to mediate or enforce.