HomeMy WebLinkAboutRetaining Walls - Bulletin 2008-001Revised Sept 2010
June 25, 2008
On Site Retaining Walls
Bulletin 2008-001-BG
This bulletin is intended to advise all Builders and Developers of the requirements contained
within our building and zoning bylaws of what is required when retaining walls are intended
to be installed on property as part of the house construction process. Included are the
relevant excerpts from both the Building and Zoning bylaws.
When a geotechnical covenant is registered on a lot we require either;
1.A sealed letter from a geotechnical Engineer indicating, the wall has no geotechnical
impact on the site,OR
2.A sealed letter from a geotechnical engineer where the wall is less than 1.0m in
height but does need evaluation based on the registered covenant (it will be left up
to the geotechnical engineer to determine what needs to be satisfied),OR
3.Schedule B for geotechnical plus a sealed wall design when the wall exceeds 1.0m
in height.
Engineering is required when;
1.A single wall exceeds 1m in height (structural and/or geotechnical),OR
2.The setback between consecutive (tiered) walls is less than 3m (geotechnical and
structural engineers required).
Engineering in the form of a sealed wall design with a Schedule B are to be submitted at time
of retaining wall application. Wall design may be done by the geotechnical engineer or
structural engineer. Either professional must speak to the others discipline when submitting
the Schedule B.
Any retaining walls not shown on or deviating from the approved lot grading plan will require
a sealed submission from the lot grading engineer.This is to identify the location of the
retaining wall(s) along with a note –under seal –indicating the wall(s) do not adversely
affect the lot grading design for the subdivision
The applicable sections that require permits and engineering can be found in the building
bylaw under sections 24.2 and 24.3 (pg.18) and subsection 403.(8) (pg.22) of the zoning
bylaws General Regulations.Included for your convenience are the applicable sections out of
the referenced documents.
Revised Sept 2010
June 25, 2008
On Site Retaining Walls
Bulletin 2008-001-BG
This bulletin is intended to advise all Builders and Developers of the requirements contained
within our building and zoning bylaws of what is required when retaining walls are intended
to be installed on property as part of the house construction process. Included are the
relevant excerpts from both the Building and Zoning bylaws.
When a geotechnical covenant is registered on a lot we require either;
1.A sealed letter from a geotechnical Engineer indicating, the wall has no geotechnical
impact on the site,OR
2.A sealed letter from a geotechnical engineer where the wall is less than 1.0m in
height but does need evaluation based on the registered covenant (it will be left up
to the geotechnical engineer to determine what needs to be satisfied),OR
3.Schedule B for geotechnical plus a sealed wall design when the wall exceeds 1.0m
in height.
Engineering is required when;
1.A single wall exceeds 1m in height (structural and/or geotechnical),OR
2.The setback between consecutive (tiered) walls is less than 3m (geotechnical and
structural engineers required).
Engineering in the form of a sealed wall design with a Schedule B are to be submitted at time
of retaining wall application. Wall design may be done by the geotechnical engineer or
structural engineer. Either professional must speak to the others discipline when submitting
the Schedule B.
Any retaining walls not shown on or deviating from the approved lot grading plan will require
a sealed submission from the lot grading engineer.This is to identify the location of the
retaining wall(s) along with a note –under seal –indicating the wall(s) do not adversely
affect the lot grading design for the subdivision
The applicable sections that require permits and engineering can be found in the building
bylaw under sections 24.2 and 24.3 (pg.18) and subsection 403.(8) (pg.22) of the zoning
bylaws General Regulations.Included for your convenience are the applicable sections out of
the referenced documents.
Revised Sept 2010
June 25, 2008
On Site Retaining Walls
Bulletin 2008-001-BG
This bulletin is intended to advise all Builders and Developers of the requirements contained
within our building and zoning bylaws of what is required when retaining walls are intended
to be installed on property as part of the house construction process. Included are the
relevant excerpts from both the Building and Zoning bylaws.
When a geotechnical covenant is registered on a lot we require either;
1.A sealed letter from a geotechnical Engineer indicating, the wall has no geotechnical
impact on the site,OR
2.A sealed letter from a geotechnical engineer where the wall is less than 1.0m in
height but does need evaluation based on the registered covenant (it will be left up
to the geotechnical engineer to determine what needs to be satisfied),OR
3.Schedule B for geotechnical plus a sealed wall design when the wall exceeds 1.0m
in height.
Engineering is required when;
1.A single wall exceeds 1m in height (structural and/or geotechnical),OR
2.The setback between consecutive (tiered) walls is less than 3m (geotechnical and
structural engineers required).
Engineering in the form of a sealed wall design with a Schedule B are to be submitted at time
of retaining wall application. Wall design may be done by the geotechnical engineer or
structural engineer. Either professional must speak to the others discipline when submitting
the Schedule B.
Any retaining walls not shown on or deviating from the approved lot grading plan will require
a sealed submission from the lot grading engineer.This is to identify the location of the
retaining wall(s) along with a note –under seal –indicating the wall(s) do not adversely
affect the lot grading design for the subdivision
The applicable sections that require permits and engineering can be found in the building
bylaw under sections 24.2 and 24.3 (pg.18) and subsection 403.(8) (pg.22) of the zoning
bylaws General Regulations.Included for your convenience are the applicable sections out of
the referenced documents.
Revised Sept 2010
24.2 All walls, grade transitions and methods of soil retention shall be shown on
the site plan including all details of Construction. Any wall (method of soil
retention) over 1 metre high shall be structurally engineered except that in
geotechnically sensitive areas, the Chief Building Official may require a
Geotechnical Engineer to design and inspect the method of retention. A
registered professional shall supervise the design and Construction of a
retaining Structure greater than 1.0 meters in height. Sealed copies of the
design plan and field review reports prepared by the registered professional
for all retaining Structures greater than 1.0 meters in height shall be
submitted to a Building Official prior to acceptance of the works.
24.3 Any retaining wall (method of soil retention) or grade alteration over 0.50
metres will require a Permit for grade alteration or retaining wall(s) except
that where the retaining wall(s) have been identified on the initial Building
Permit application, no separate retaining wall Permit will be required.
We hope that this will assist in clearing up any misunderstandings of what is required for the
installation of retaining walls. We also hope that this will help all parties involved in
expediting the permit process. Should you have any questions you may contact the permits
department staff for clarification as needed.
Stephen J. Côté-Rolvink, R.B.O., C.R.B.O.
Manager of Inspection Services