FAQs

Swales are essentially shallow ditches that carry water. For lot grading, this water goes to City property, usually a road, lane or green space. This is most commonly found between two properties, where shared property line swales serve to drain both lots.

The Applicant will either be the Owner of the lot or be working on behalf of the Owner. However, the individual who signs the permit is responsible for all terms and conditions.

The Applicant must shape the clay surface of the lot to drain, following the approved Grading and Drainage Plan. This is referred to as Rough Grade. The Applicant must then have the lot surveyed by a Licensed Professional (a Surveyor, Landscape Architect or Engineer) to produce a Lot Grade Certificate, which is submitted to the City of Lloydminster.

This verifies that the lot is built up to the proper elevations. If the elevations are within tolerance, a Rough Grade Certificate will be issued. Once the Rough Grade Certificate is issued, the responsibility for completing the grading and landscaping passes to the ultimate Owner of the lot.

Once the Rough Grade Certificate has been issued, the Owner of the lot is responsible to maintain the shape of the Rough Grading when completing landscaping, fencing and other changes. This means topsoil and sod/seed should be placed to follow the contour of the rough grade. No changes can be made to the approved drainage slopes or elevations of the lot, and no drainage easements can be blocked. Downspouts should be angled in the direction of flow, not directly towards neighbouring property.

The Owner must then have the lot surveyed by a Licensed Professional to produce a Lot Grade Certificate, which is submitted to the City of Lloydminster, within sixty (60) days of completing final grading. The property is then inspected by the City of Lloydminster. Following a successful inspection, a Final Grade Certificate will be issued.

The City will inspect the City’s property next to the lot twice: once when the Applicant requests the final inspection of the home for an Occupancy Permit, and again during the inspection of the final landscaping. In both cases, if any damage is found the Owner of the lot is responsible to repair it.

It is the responsibility of the Applicant to inspect the work area(s) for existing damage or surfaces in poor condition. If any are found, report these to the City, including photos. Any damage found by the City during inspections that was not reported will be assumed to have been caused by the Applicant’s work.

Learn more about this process in the Lot Security content.

The City owns several lots, including parks, green spaces, public utility lots and road right-of-way (sometimes called a road allowance). Any part of a lot covered by a utility right-of-way (easement) owned by the City is considered land controlled by the City.

All work under an Excavation Permit, except for maintenance or emergency repairs, requires a supporting approval number. This number can be found on a Development Permit, a Demolition Permit, or a Utility Line Approval. Applicants can request this number from whoever hired them to do the work.

Once the surface repairs are done, the Applicant will notify the City of Lloydminster. Following this, a job site inspection will take place. Once the inspector confirms the repair work is to the necessary requirements, the deposit will be returned and the two year warranty process begins.

The Applicant is responsible for any deterioration or settlement of the repaired area(s) during the warranty period. At the end of the warranty period, the City will inspect the restored areas, and if acceptable, will notify the Applicant that their responsibilities under the Permit have ended.