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On Oct. 7, 2026, the Town of Milton launched an updated website. The redesigned website improves how content is organized, displayed, and accessed, to help residents, businesses, and visitors get to the information they need faster. 

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Site Alteration Permit

What's on this page 

↓Overview
↓Who this is for
↓What you need
↓Required forms and documentation
↓What is a control plan?
↓Fees
↓How to apply
↓After you apply
↓Site Alteration By-law
↓Report a site alteration concern
↓Frequently asked questions

Overview 

A site alteration permit may be required if you plan to change the elevation or grading of your property. Site alteration activities can affect drainage patterns, neighbouring properties, municipal infrastructure, and the environment. 

Site alteration includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Importing or removing fill (soil, gravel, or rocks) 

  • Altering existing drainage patterns 

  • Levelling areas of a property 

  • Creating privacy berms 

  • Creating or expanding parking lots 

Before beginning any site alteration work, review the permit requirements, application requirements, and Site Alteration By-law to determine whether a permit is required. 

Who this is for 

This information is for: 

  • Property owners planning site alteration work 

  • Contractors performing site alteration activities 

  • Developers undertaking grading or earthmoving projects 

  • Property owners importing or removing fill from a site 

What you need 

Before you apply, gather the required forms, plans, and fees. 

Required forms and documentation 

  • Control plan 

  • Engineering and/or Environmental Studies

What is a control plan? 

A control plan identifies existing and proposed site conditions, including grading, drainage patterns, and other information needed to evaluate the proposed site alteration. 

Refer to Schedule A of the Site Alteration By-law for control plan requirements. 

Fees 

Site alteration permit applications are subject to the fees outlined in the Town's User Fees By-law. 

Current fees include: 

  • Application fee: $2,783 

  • Inspection fee: $397 per hectare, where applicable (minimum one hectare charge) 

How to apply 

A pre-consultation meeting may be requested to determine whether a permit is required and whether the proposed work may proceed under the Site Alteration By-law. 

To request a pre-consultation meeting, complete the contact form. 

Once you are ready to apply: 

  1. Complete the Site Alteration Permit Application Form.

  1. Submit the completed application package online, including the required control plan and applicable fee. 

After you apply 

Town staff will review your application to determine whether the proposed site alteration complies with the Site Alteration By-law and other applicable requirements. 

A complete application is required before the review process can begin. 

The Town requires a minimum of 15 business days to conduct an initial review. If additional information is required, staff will contact you after reviewing your submission. 

Permit issuance timelines may vary depending on the complexity of the application. In general, allow up to 30 business days for a permit to be issued.

Site Alteration By-law 

The Site Alteration By-law regulates the placement and removal of fill, changes to grading, drainage alterations, and other site alteration activities within Milton. 

A revised Site Alteration By-law came into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

  • Applicability in areas governed by Conservation Authorities 

  • Updated references to provincial regulations 

  • Authority for the Town to establish permit conditions through the application review process 

  • Additional exemptions for minor, routine site alterations 

  • Cost recovery provisions where external professional review is required 

  • Greater flexibility for large-scale earthmoving operations and importing soil from multiple fill sources 

  • Additional clarification regarding normal farming practices 

  • Flexibility for sites undergoing environmental remediation 

Review the Site Alteration By-law before submitting an application. 

Report a site alteration concern 

If you believe site alteration work is occurring without the required approvals, report your concern: 

Frequently asked questions

This depends on the scope and location of the work. 

A permit is generally not required if you are depositing, cutting, or removing topsoil for lawn maintenance, landscaping, or adding flower or vegetable gardens, and: 

  • The approved grade (or existing grade where no approved grade exists) is not increased by more than 0.15 m 

  • There is no significant change in the direction or rate of drainage to or from neighbouring properties 

  • The site alteration does not occur within 0.6 m of any lot line 

  • The cumulative amount of topsoil deposited or dumped under the applicable exemptions does not exceed 20 m³ within any consecutive four-month period 

Contact the Town before beginning work if you are unsure whether a permit is required. 

Engineering and/or environmental studies may be required for certain applications depending on the environmental sensitivity of the site, particularly for sites located in the Niagara Escarpment Commission area, Greenbelt Plan area or Conservation Authority regulation areas.

Refer to the Site Alteration By-law for additional information and contact us to book a pre-consultation meeting. 

Contact Planning and Development Services

Phone: 905-878-7252 ext 2398

Contact Planning and Development Services