Soil removal and deposit FAQs
The District of North Saanich Soil Removal and Deposit Bylaw regulates the movement, removal, and deposit of soil to protect the environment, agricultural lands, and existing infrastructure.
If you are planning to bring in fill (soil, sand, gravel, rock) or excavate and remove soil from your property, please review these frequently asked questions or contact the Infrastructure Services Department to discuss your project.
Generally, yes. Unless your project falls under a specific exemption, you need a Soil Deposit and Removal Permit before moving soil on, off, or within your property.
For minor landscaping and yard work, you do not need a permit if the total quantity of soil deposited or removed is less than 30 cubic metres per lot per year.
For lot greater than 4 hectares (approximately 9.88 acres), the total quantity of soil deposited or removed is less than 60 cubic meters per lot per year.
Any volume over these limits requires a permit.
You are exempt from needing a separate Soil Permit if the soil movement is authorized by and undertaken in accordance with approved plans for a valid Building, Plumbing, or Development Permit. Installing or repairing an on-site sewage disposal system is also exempt if it is done under the guidance of a Qualified Professional.
If you propose to deposit or remove soil in the ALR, you must obtain approval from the provincial Agricultural Land Commission (ALC). This is done by submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) or a Soil or Fill Use Application to the ALC. The District will not issue a municipal soil permit for ALR land until written approval from the ALC has been granted.
Yes. You cannot deposit or remove soil in highly sensitive areas without specific approvals. These include:
- Wetlands, Streams, and Floodplains: Prohibited unless specifically approved for ecological restoration, authorized under the Water Sustainability Act, or for specific access bridges/dikes designed by a Qualified Professional.
- Development Permit Areas (DPAs): Prohibited unless a Development Permit has been issued.
No. The District prohibits the deposit of "Other Material" and "Hazardous Waste". This includes construction and demolition waste, masonry rubble, concrete, asphalt, glass, drywall, and unchipped lumber. The only exception is recycled concrete/asphalt, which can only be used to maintain existing roads in accordance with ALR regulations.
Whether you have a permit or are exempt, all soil deposit and removal activities must only occur between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. No soil movement activities are permitted on Sundays or statutory holidays.
Permit fees are based on a user-pay model to cover the costs of municipal oversight and road maintenance. These fees include:
- Permit Application Fee: $250.00 (non-refundable).
- Security Deposit: $250.00 plus $2/cubic meter of material (minimum $1,000.00). This ensures funds are available if the District needs to clean public roads or repair damage.
A complete application should include:
- A completed application form and the $250 application fee.
- A current Title Search (dated within 30 days) and copies of all covenants/easements.
- A certified 1:500 scale drawing prepared by a Qualified Professional depicting topographics, streams, trees, contours, and drainage plans.
- ALC approvals (if the property is in the ALR).
Please contact the Infrastructure Services Department if you believe that your project should be exempt from any of the above requirements.
Permits are valid for twelve (12) months from the date of issuance.