You need a fill permit if you plan to add over 10 truckloads (100 cubic metres) of fill to your property.

Site Alteration is defined as any alteration to the existing grade of land through the movement, removal or placement of fill. Any alteration to the grade of the land including filling, dumping, extracting, or moving soil must be performed in compliance with the Township of Severn By-law 2024-67, which regulates the removal of topsoil, placement of fill, and the alteration of grades in the municipality. 

The purpose of the by-law is to protect the natural environment, prevent the entry of fill into the Township that contains hazardous materials, and prevent any negative impact to our residents. The by-law applies to all lands in the Township of Severn. 

Apply for a permit

Please complete the Fill Permit application and submit it by email or drop it off to the Administration Office located at 1024 Hurlwood Lane in Severn.

Fees

Depending on your property class, a fill permit costs:

  • $390 for a residential property
  • $830 for a commercial or industrial property

You'll need to pay a minimum deposit of $4,000. It costs $60 to renew or transfer a fill permit.

Fill regulations

Township of Severn has completed updates to the Site Alteration and Fill By-law. The by-law was approved by Council on December 4, 2024 and takes effect January 1, 2025. 

View the Site Alteration and Fill By-law for a complete list of fill regulations.

Fill can only be placed on Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a maximum of 250 cubic metres per day.

You can't dump or place fill under the following circumstances:

  • where the fill has been transported and/or originates from outside the Township of Severn or from outside of the municipalities to which Severn shares a direct common border
  • if the fill is dumped for storage purposes without a permit
  • if the fill changes any grading that has been approved by Township of Severn through a subdivision, rezoning, site plan or building permit
  • if the fill will result in soil erosion, soil pollution, blockage or siltation of any watercourse, flooding or ponding or anything damaging to the environment
  • if it is placed within 30 metres of any watercourse or within the confines of an island where the grade will exceed 3:1 towards the shoreline
  • if the fill alters the grade leading to runoff or drainage on a neighbouring property
  • where the placing of fill would not align with with the County of Simcoe Forest Conservation By-Law