Lot Grading Program

Following a community engagement process, Parkland County passed the Surface Drainage and Lot Grading Bylaw 2023-02 in February 2024. The bylaw establishes a clear process and direction for how surface drainage and grading on private and public lands is managed within the County. It guides and informs best practices to ensure that if someone changes the grade of their property, it does not create a negative impact to their adjacent or downstream neighbours.

Under Parkland County’s Lot Grading Program applicants may be required to supply a Lot Grading Plan as part of any planning application submission to build or subdivide your property.

Click here for a planning application checklist.

FAQs

To learn more, please read the following Frequently Asked Questions.  

1. What is the purpose of the Surface Drainage and Lot Grading Bylaw 2023-02?

The bylaw ensures that surface water (like rain or melting snow) drains properly on private and public lands. It is designed to help prevent flooding, erosion, and damage to properties and the environment, by requiring compliant Lot Grading Plans for all developed properties.

2. Who does this bylaw apply to?

It applies to all property owners in Parkland County—whether you're building a new home, altering your yard, subdividing your property or managing existing drainage systems.

3. What is surface drainage?

Surface drainage (also called overland drainage) is how rainwater or melting snow flows across the ground. It is managed using slopes, landscaping, and drainage systems to prevent flooding or water pooling.

4. What is lot grading?

Lot grading is shaping or sloping your yard or property to control where water flows. It ensures water drains away from buildings and into approved areas like storm ponds or ditches.

5. What is a Lot Grading Plan?

A Lot Grading Plan shows how your property should be sloped to ensure water drains properly and in compliance with the County’s approved Surface Drainage Plan for your area.

The information your Lot Grading Plan must include may vary depending on the type of site (e.g. residential vs. commercial industrial).

Common types of information you will be required to provide for residential sites includes (but is not limited to):

• Building footing grades and main floor elevations
• Proposed finished lot grades (front, back and mid lot or VPI locations)
• Approach/access location(s) and outline approach classifications (e.g. residential, field or commercial)

Certain site types (for example, commercial industrial) may require further information, including (but not limited to):

• Site services locations, size and materials, including invert of sewer service at property line
• Identification of fill locations in excess of 1.0 metres
• Retaining walls
• Drainage easements
• Ponding depths, stormwater storage/retention areas, basin boundaries, overflow locations and details

All Lot Grading Plans must be authenticated by a qualified professional.

6. What is a Lot Grading Certificate and when is it needed?

Lot Grading Certificates are existing (as-built) plans, prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor, that provide information about the as-constructed grading and drainage of a lot. This includes design elevations from the approved Lot Grading Plan, as-built elevations at the time the survey was conducted, the location of the house, garage/parking pad, driveway, walkways, etc. within the lot and other important information regarding the grading of the lot. This provides Parkland County with information required to verify the grading of the lot and helps to identify any problems that may exist

At the completion of work, a Lot Grading Certificate must be provided to the Development Authority. The Lot Grading Certificate shall specify and represent the rough or final grading work completed within the development boundary and shall be certified by a qualified Alberta Land Surveyor or Professional Engineer registered in good standing with APEGA.

A condition to supply a Lot Grading Certificate will be added to a Development Permit if required the certificate does not satisfy a Development Permit condition until it is reviewed and accepted by Parkland County.

7. I am applying to subdivide my property. Does this bylaw impact my application?

Yes. You may be required to provide a valid Lot Grading Plan as part of your application submission. If you do not already have a valid Lot Grading Plan for the proposed subdivision, you may be required to obtain one. The costs associated with obtaining such a plan are the responsibility of the applicant.

8. What do I need to do as a property owner to remain compliant with the bylaw?

You must:

·       Follow approved drainage plans (Lot Grading Plan or Surface Drainage Plan).

·       Avoid altering land elevation without County approval.

·       Direct stormwater (e.g. from sump pumps or roof drains) away from buildings and neighboring properties.

·       Keep drainage systems (like swales or ditches) clear and functional.

9. Can I change the slope or elevation of my yard?

Not without written approval from the County. Unauthorized changes can cause water issues for you or your neighbors and may result in fines.

10. Can I drain water into the sanitary sewer?

No. Stormwater or groundwater must not be directed into the sanitary sewer system unless you have written permission from the County.

11. What happens if I don’t comply with the bylaw?

If you do not comply with the bylaw, you could face:

·       Fines (up to $10,000)

·       Orders to fix the issue (like restoring original land elevation)

·       Daily penalties for ongoing violations

12. Do other municipalities have similar bylaws?

Yes. Many Alberta municipalities have similar bylaws in place, including but not limited to

·       City of Edmonton -Bylaw 18093

·       City of Spruce Grove - Bylaw C-1045-18

·       Strathcona County - Bylaw No. 16-2009

·       Sturgeon County - Bylaw No. 1558/21

13. Where can I find more information or get help?

For more information on the Lot Grading Program, please contact Land Development Engineering via email at LDE@parklandcountly.com

For any other Planning or Permit related questions, please contact planning@parklandcounty.com.

Not sure who to contact? Our Customer Service team is always ready to help by phone at (780) 968-8888 or email at Hello@ParklandCounty.com.