Residential Infill Grading and Servicing (RIGS) Application Process

Application Submission

Due to the Covid-19 situation, the Markham Civic Centre is closed to external visitors. All RIGS submissions shall be sent in pdf format to dsc@markham.ca. If the files are too large to be sent by email, please use Drop Box and send the link to dsc@markham.ca.
All Grading and Servicing Plans should include the scale bar on the plan, or we will not be able to review the plan and it will be returned.

1. Download and complete the Residential Infill Grading and Servicing (RIGS) Application Package.

The RIGS Application Package includes:

• • The RIGS Application Form
  • The RIGS Requirements Checklist
  • The RIGS Application Process
  • Lot Grading Undertaking Deposit Guide

2. Submit the completed application form as PDF to dsc@markham.ca. If the files are too large to be sent by email, please use Drop Box and send the link to dsc@markham.ca.

3. An application fee is required for Types I, II and III applications, and is due at the time of submission. Fees can be paid with credit card by calling 905.471.4861.   

1. Upon receipt of submission, the RIGS Application is circulated to the Engineering, Operations Roads and Tree Preservation Departments. Review and Acceptance from all three divisions are required prior to issuance of the Final RIGS Acceptance.
2. Review Process
   1. The Engineering Department enters the applications into a review queue and reviews them in the order of submission date.
   2. Review time varies depending on the volume of applications received. Generally, the response time is 4 weeks minimum. Correspondence is by means of email only.
   3. If revisions to the drawing is required, an email is sent to the Applicant identifying the deficiencies and the revisions required. Often, comments from Operations Roads are sent by Engineering staff to the Applicant at the same time if the comments are ready, or they are sent separately. Tree Preservation corresponds review comments on the Tree Assessment and Preservation Plan (TAPP) and Arborist Report with the Applicant directly.
   4. The Engineering Department may return the plan without reviewing it if key information required to conduct the review is not provided (i.e. improper scale, insufficient grading and servicing information, etc.)
   5. Plan resubmissions are to be dropped off at the Development Services Counter with Transmittal and date stamp in order to enter into the review queue again. Two (2) hard copies of the revised plan are to be submitted.
3. Once Engineering, Operations Roads, and Tree Preservation deem the plan acceptable, if service connection works are required, a Quotation to carry out the service connection works by a City Contractor will be sent to the Owner (and Applicant). Payment for the service connections works must be made by Bank Draft / Money Order / Certified Cheque prior to issuance of Final RIGS Acceptance. If service connection works are not required, the application proceeds to the next step.
4. Upon receipt of payment for service connection works, or if not required, the Owner and/or Applicant will receive two email notifications:
   1. A RIGS Plan Accepted email with a copy of Accepted Plan attached. (Not issued for Type IV applications.)
   2. A RIGS Undertaking Deposit email with a copy of the Undertaking Document attached. (Not required for Type V applications.)
5. The Undertaking Deposit is due for payment prior to issuance of Building Permit. Refer to the last page of the RIGS Application Package for the Lot Grading Undertaking Deposit Guide for applicable deposit amounts.
   1. Payment is to be made by Bank Draft / Money Order / Certified Cheque at the Development Services Counter.
   2. Owner to print, sign and submit hard copy of the Undertaking Form to the Development Services Counter.
6. The Final RIGS Acceptance and payment of the Lot Grading Undertaking Deposit are required prior to issuance of Building Permit. For more details regarding Building Permit Applications, please contact the Building Standards Department.
7. If revision to the grading and servicing design are required after the Final RIGS Acceptance is issued, a re-submission is required for review and re-acceptance. A review fee is required upon submission of the revised plan.
8. In accordance to to City of Markham By-Law 211-83, a review fee is applied to each Engineering review subsequent to the third review at the discretion of the Engineering Department. For RIGS Applications, each additional review after the third review will be charged at a rate of $253 per hour for a minimum of 3 hours.

1. Upon completion of all lot grading work, the homeowner is to submit a Lot Grading Undertaking Release Request Form to the Engineering Department at the Development Services Counter.
2. For Types I, II and III RIGS Applications, an As-Built Drawing and a Grading Certificate must be submitted with the Request Form.
3. For Type IV RIGS Applications, only the request form is required to be submitted.
4. Upon receipt of the Request Form and the required documents, a Lot Grading Inspector will review the documents and schedule for an on-site inspection. If required, the Inspector will contact the homeowner.
5. When the lot grading has been found satisfactory to City Standards per the accepted Lot Grading Plan, a cheque for the associated undertaking amount will be mailed out to the payee.

1. The City’s Service Connection Installation Contract is awarded using an Open Tender Process managed by the City’s Procurement Department. All qualified contractors are eligible to bid. The contract is awarded to the lowest bidder.
2. The Service Connection works to be carried out by the City Contractor include installation of new service connections from the mainline in the road up to the front property line, disconnection of existing service connections, and all related restoration works.
3. Upon receipt of the Service Connection payment, the works are scheduled and prioritized based on the Payment Received Date.
4. The Construction Season of service connection works takes place between May 1st and October 31st of each year. Any work that is not completed prior to the end of the Construction Season is to be complete in the following year.
5. Upon receipt of payment, the installation of services will be completed in 10-12 weeks.
6. The City will contact the homeowner, or representative, prior to installation advising of the approximate installation date.
7. Preliminary works to prepare for construction begins immediately after payment is received. If the homeowner wishes to postpone the works, the homeowner must contact the Engineering Department in writing. The cost of any preliminary works completed prior to the homeowner’s notification to postpone work is to be paid for by the homeowner. Please note that a Demolition (or Building) Permit must be obtained prior to start of any service connection works.
8. Quotations for service connection works expire at the end of each construction season. Adjustment in cost may apply if work is postponed past the said construction season.

1. Hook up of service connections from the private side of the property to the public service connections at streetline is to be carried out by the homeowner’s contractor under the supervision of the Buildings Department Inspector. The homeowner’s contractor shall have the service connections installed from the house to the streetline, ready for hook up, prior to contacting the City for supervision of the hook up.
2. When a new water meter is required, the homeowner shall contact Waterworks (Mr. Mario Rogue - 905-477-7000 extension  2053).