What is a soil deposit permit?
A soil deposit permit allows you to bring fill material onto your property or remove soil from it. This permit helps the City protect the quality of our soil, prevent the spread of invasive pests, and keep agricultural land productive. In Wrenford, this process is managed under Soil Deposit and Removal By-law 2024-089.
When do you need a permit?
You must apply for a permit if you plan to:
- Deposit more than five cubic metres of fill, topsoil, subsoil, or rock on your property.
- Remove soil or fill from your property to transport it elsewhere.
- Move green waste, plant materials, or soil outside a regulated area to prevent the spread of pests.
- Use a private dump or fill site on your land for a neighbour or contractor.
Small amounts of soil for basic garden beds or minor landscaping usually do not require a permit, but large-scale earthmoving does.
How to apply
Submit a completed Soil Deposit Permit Application Form along with your payment to the Planning and Development department. You can send your application by email or drop it off in person.
Required documents:
- Completed application form
- Site plan showing the exact location of the deposit or removal area
- Source details for the soil (where it is coming from or where it will go)
- Erosion and sediment control plan if working near Corvid Creek or the Tamsin River
Fees and processing time
The standard application fee is $175.00. This covers the staff review and any required site inspections. The City aims to process complete applications within 10 business days. If your application is missing information or needs changes, the review clock stops until you provide the missing details.
Inspections and compliance
Once your permit is approved, you must follow the conditions listed on the permit document. City inspectors will visit the site to make sure the work matches your application and follows the by-law. You must request an inspection at least two business days before the work begins. Inspections are free with an active permit, but reinspection fees apply if the site is inaccessible, unsafe, or if the work is not ready.
Where to submit
By email: [email protected]
In person: Room 102, Wrenford City Hall, 100 Mercer Street, Wrenford, ON N4Q 1A1. The counter is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For questions about soil movement, pest prevention, or your specific property, call 519-555-0100 or contact the Planning and Development team.