Site alteration permits (development engineering)

Confirm that you need a permit

• Site alteration - pools, landscaping, patios/hardscaping, retaining walls, all teardown rebuilds and additions (for work outside building foot print)
• Site alteration – commercial, subdivision, site plan, condos
• the placing or dumping of fill
• the removal of topsoil and the alteration of the grade of land on all properties in Oakville
• If site plan approval (commercial or industrial property) is being applied for or has been issued, earth moving and/or clearing and grubbing permits will not be issued. If a developer wish to start any works prior to site plan approval, under extenuating circumstances, a site alteration permit may be assessed on a site-by-site basis.
• If a subdivision developer wishes to clear, grub and site alter, they may apply for a permit after draft plan approval, prior to pre-servicing or registration.
• If you have a residential development that is 10 units or less, a Site Alteration Permit or Scoped Site Plan (within the Bill 97 buffer zone) will be required.

Applications, forms and guidelines

Prepare for your application by reviewing the applicable information and completing the related forms for your project.

• Development Engineering Permit Conditions
• Development Engineering Procedures and Guidelines
• Grading and Servicing Plan Guide for Residential Infill Developments
• Site Alteration Permit Process Guide for Subdivisions
• Site Alteration Permit Process Guide for Site Plans
• Site Alteration Permit Agreement (SAPA) Template
• Site Alteration (Pool) - Stormwater Requirement Calculator
• Stormwater Management Requirements: Residential Infill - Development Engineering Permit Applications
• Erosion and Sediment Control brochure
• Understanding Lot Grading and Drainage
• Review and complete the Applicable Law Form to indicate which additional approvals may be required for your project. Save this form and be sure to upload it as a supporting document during the application process.

Complete the forms1Download the set14 forms

• Authorization of Property Owner formIf you are applying for a permit on behalf of the property ownerForm

Prepare your application

Help us process your application faster by following the document submission standards

• Organize drawings and documents as separate files. Each document file can contain multiple pages like site plan drawings.
• Orient drawings in landscape. Orient forms and documents in portrait.
• Save all files in Vector PDF format, unlocked/editable, greyscale, flattened into a single layer and free of comments.
• Submit searchable PDF files for calculations, reports and other supporting documents (non-drawing files), when possible.
• If including scanned documents, resolution of 1-bit black-and-white 300 dpi is usually acceptable. For plans and drawings with fine lines and detail, 600 dpi resolution is required.
• Naming conventions: Please name your files according to the standardized naming conventions (pdf).
• Remember to have drawings, schedules and general review forms signed and dated by the appropriate designers. Make sure drawings are ready for review and are free of markings such as “not for construction”, “for reference only” or “preliminary”

Send us your application

• Sign into your town account on our online services and visit the Planning & Construction page.
• Select “Development Engineering Permit” to start your permit application.
• On the “My Development Engineering Permits and Applications” page, select the “Add new permit/application” button.
• Provide a description of the proposed work.
• Search and select the property address for the proposed work.
• Choose the activities you are planning on conducting and answer all the required questions based on the activities you have selected.
• Provide the required project contact information.
• Upload the required permit application documents.
• Submit your application for pre-screening.
• Your application will be pre-screened to ensure all required information has been provided.
• If information is insufficient or missing, you will be notified of the missing requirements that you will need to provide. To avoid delays, ensure all documentation meets the requirements and reapply as soon as possible.
• Once we have all of the required information, you will be notified by email what fees are to be paid online.

Pay the fee

• Transportation & Engineering - Right of Way Management Rates and Fees
• Development Engineering By-law 2011-137
• When fees and securities are owed, you will be notified via email with the amount owed and instructions on how to pay them. Applications will not be reviewed if there are any fees outstanding.
• Sign into your town account, access the “My Development Engineering Permits and Applications” page and select the “Pay Fees” button beside the applicable permit application.
• Select the “Pay Selected Fees” button and pay your fees using your credit card.
• e-Transfer to devengrequests@oakville.ca, which is an automatically depositing email (Note: do not use security questions or passwords). For e-transfers the maximum daily limit is $10,000. (Multiple daily transfers are acceptable.)
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to accountsreceivable@oakville.ca.
• Securities are collected prior to issuance of approval.
• Securities may also be paid by Certified Cheque or Bank Draft, which should be mailed to “The Town of Oakville, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville ON L6H 0H3”, or dropped off in the secure drop box at town hall “Attention: Development Engineering”. Please ensure you write the name and address of the payee on the front of the cheque.
• Securities can not be paid by credit card.
• Application fees include a maximum of two inspection visits. Additional inspection fees will be charged after the two failed inspections.