Building grades

What is a building grade?

A building grade is an official indication of the elevation of the sidewalk, curb, or street. Official building grades on city property are required to ensure the entrances for proposed buildings meet existing city sidewalk, curb and street levels. These must be obtained from the city's engineering department.

Building grades on private property are established when an official survey is done by a private surveying company. These grades are used to help establish the height of a proposed structu

re and to ensure that proper site drainage is maintained. The City must approve any proposed change in these grades.

When are building grades required?

Development applications for the following must have official established building grades from the Engineering Department clearly shown on the drawings submitted with the application:

1. Any development in the RS (other than RS-1, RS-1S, RS-3, RS-3A, RS-5, RS-5S and RS-6), RT, RM, FM-1, C, FC-1, M & I, HA, CD-1, FCCDD, DD, CWD, FSD, DEOD, and BCPED districts;
2. Any development involving a multiple dwelling development;
3. Any development which includes underground or covered parking;
4. Any development with a building face 6.0 metres or less from a street or lane boundary of a site;
5. Any development on a site abutting a dedicated but unopened street or lane;

Existing grades provided by a registered Land Surveyor will be accepted for outright and conditional one-family dwellings in RS-1, RS-1S, RS-3, RS-3A, RS-5, RS-5S and RS-6 Districts. The grades must be shown at all corners of the site, around all corners and perimeter of proposed buildings/structures, along both sides of the property lines where the front yard and rear yard setback lines intersect, and 3.1m on adjacent property, parallel to side property lines at 3.1m intervals. Any other relevant features such as retaining walls, raised areas, depressions, etc. should also be indicated. These grades are then compared with the grades proposed for the new structure.

If the Director of Planning is of the opinion that the hypothetical surface resulting from the measurement is not compatible with the existing grades of adjoining sites or the general topography of the area, then height measurement may be required from base surface using established building grades.

How do I get the City building grades I need?

Choose one:

• Building grades application - apply online
• Download Application for Building Grades ( PDF, 91KB) and fax it to: 604.871.6191
• Call Engineering Services at 604.873.7316