Soil Deposit/Removal Permit

When is a Permit Required?

A Soil Deposit/Removal Permit is required if you own a land upon which soil is to be placed or removed. If you have been contracted to move soil, you may need a Soil Deposit/Removal Permit. A permit would usually be required to do the following:

• Land-raising for floodproofing purposes,
• Preloading for building construction,
• Infilling excavations,
• Excavations for buildings, underground parking and utilities, and
• Removal of contaminated soil from remediation sites.

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What is Meant by "Soil"?

Under the bylaw, soil is defined as "clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobbles, peat, or other substances of which land is naturally composed, down to and including bedrock". It also includes "other materials" such as concrete rubble and woodwaste.

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When is a Permit Not Required?

The following soil deposit and removal activities do not require a permit:

Note: Even if a soil deposit or removal permit is not required, you must still ensure that your soil operation does not create problems for neighbouring property owners, impact roads or utilities or impair the environment.

• Less than 10 cubic meters
  When the quantity of soil is being removed is less than 10 cubic metres (about one truck load) in a 12-month period
  
• Soil Stays on Site
  When the soil is being moved around on the same property and is not taken off-site.
  
• Growing Medium
  When a farmer, florist or nursery person is using the soil as a growing medium for plants or crops.
  
• Manufacturing
  When the soil is being used in a manufacturing or processing operation.
  
• Municipal Works
  To deposit soil at a Delta municipal works project site, or to remove soil from a Delta municipal works project and deposit it outside of the municipality. This exemption applies only to the Delta municipal works project site, and not to any other properties that may supply or receive soils in relation to a municipal project.
  
• Peat Extraction
  When the soil is from an established peat extraction business
  
• Sewage System
  When the soil is being used or generated by the construction of a private sewage disposal system for which a permit under the Health Act has been issued.
  
• Use of Woodwaste
  When woodwaste is being used (to a maximum depth of 0.5m):
  
  • As a temporary roadbase to a building construction site,
  • On an equestrian area, or
  • On a recreation area.

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How Do I Get A Permit?

Application forms can be obtained from Delta's Soil Conservation Officer. There is an application fee of $50 and material fees of $0.50 per cubic metre of soil deposited or removed. A security deposit, which is refunded after the project has been satisfactorily completed, may also be required. Please allow four to six weeks for the application to be processed.

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What About Agricultural Land Reserves?

Soil deposit and removal on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve must comply with the requirements of the Agricultural Land Commission Act and approval from the Agricultural Land Commission may be required in addition to a Delta Soil Deposit permit.

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