Lot Grading and Drainage Report

Project Description
In response to significant and wide-ranging reports of flooding and poor lot grading and drainage, Halifax County Municipality undertook to establish a by-law to regulate individual lot grading during the building construction stage for single and two-unit dwellings. Terrain Group played a significant role in the preparation of the by-law which included site investigation and analysis of drainage issues, and the establishment of specifications outlining acceptable approaches for solutions.

Services Provided
Terrain Group was retained by Halifax County Municipality to assess existing types of storm drainage problems affecting residential properties. Different examples of lot grading problems were categorized by the type of error which led to the problem. Once the major types of lot grading mistakes were identified, a plan was developed to create a permitting system which addressed these common mistakes. In conjunction with staff from the Municipality, Terrain Group proposed a permitting system that created controls on lot grading while minimizing the increase in time and costs to the home builder. The new by-law was presented to builders groups and the public.