10 simple rules for protecting the quality of our soil, water and natural areas

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Ottawa has a new by-law that protects our soil. The Site Alteration By-law comes into effect on May 23, 2018 and will ensure activities like clearing and grading land do not negatively impact our environment, neighbouring properties and public health and safety.

It replaces the Drainage By-law and several former municipalities’ topsoil protection by-laws. In general, all lands in the City of Ottawa are subject to the by-law, except for lands that are already regulated by a Conservation Authority (e.g. floodplains).

The by-law is easy to follow; property owners just need to observe 10 basic rules:

1. Do not work on someone else’s property without their permission.
2. Do not cause drainage problems for your neighbours.
3. Follow all other applicable municipal, provincial and federal rules.
4. Do not damage the productivity of soils in areas designated for agricultural use.
5. Get City approval before working within 30 metres of significant natural areas in the area shown on Schedule B in the by-law.
6. Notify your neighbours if you will be working within 10 metres of your property boundary.
7. Notify your City planner before working on a site during the development review process.
8. Control sediment and erosion, where necessary.
9. Fence off or otherwise limit your work area, to prevent accidental damage to nearby trees, structures or property during the work.
10. Use clean fill.

Rules 1, 2 and 3 apply to everyone. The by-law will not restrict normal farm practices, and many rules have exceptions included for everyday activities, like yard maintenance, minor landscaping, woodlot management, approved developments, and aggregate extraction.

To find out more about how the by-law applies to you and the work you do on your property, visit ottawa.ca/sitealteration.

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