​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Subdivision 101

Subdivision developers must rec​eive approval from the City in order to build and sell homes. This ensures that the new homes are suitable, sustainable, and comply with official plans and policies. A subdivision agreement details the terms and conditions of the approval, ranging from the type of trees planted, to the location of mailboxes. Developers work to fulfil these requirements even after the new homes are occupied as they take several years to complete.

Until the terms of the subdivision agreement are met, Developers are responsible for the maintenance of new subdivisions (except for snow clearing). Once the subdivision has been constructed to City standards, the City will assume responsibility of municipal services. Assumption usually occurs four to six years after subdivision registration or when the City is satisfied that the Developer’s obligations have been fulfilled (typically one to two years after the final coat of pavement has been installed throughout the subdivision).

​Roles and Responsibilities

  • The City’s Development Construction section supervises the construction of all new subdivisions, ensuring that all the roads, sidewalks, storm sewers, catch basins, and aboveground works are constructed to City and provincial standards.
  • The Region of Peel is responsible for the sanitary sewers, watermains, fire hydrants and solid waste (garbage).
  • The Developer, who owns the land, enters into a Subdivision Agreement with the City to ensure that the construction of the subdivision meets the requirements of the City and other public agencies. The City holds financial securities to ensure the Developer performs all the requirements of the agreement.
  • The Builder buys lots from the Developer and then builds the homes that the Homeowners purchase. In some cases, the Developer and Builder are the same.
  • The Consulting Engineer is hired by the Developer and is directly responsible for the supervision and administration of subdivision construction work.
  • Contractors have various construction abilities and are hired by the Developer to construct infrastructure on the road allowance.
  • Homeowners buy homes within the new subdivision.

Homeowner Resources

A property’s grading (slope of the ground) is engineered to prevent flooding and property damage by directing storm water away the house and neighbours. In new subdivisions, the grading must be certified by the Consulting Engineer and inspected by the City before changes are permitted.

As a homeowner in a new subdivision, you can apply for a permit to alter your grading, widen your driveway, or build a shed​, but permits will only be issued with the approval of the Development Construction section.​​

The grading/sod deposit is held by your Builder (not the City of Brampton) and is g​enerally returned to the Homeowner following assumption. Check your Purchase and Sale Agreement to determine when your deposit will be returned. If you require further information about your grading/sod deposit, contact your Builder.​

Review your Purchase and Sale Agreement or Community Information Map to see if your builder is responsible for installing fencing. The documents should have been provided to you at your home’s close of sale, but you can contact your builder or lawyer for a copy.

If fencing is the homeowner’s responsibility, it can only be installed once the grading of the subdivision has been completed and certified. Contact the City’s Development Construction section to confirm the grading status. If you build a fence before the grading has been certified, your Builder may ask you to remove the fence.

Fences can be constructed without a building permit, but be sure to review and comply with fence height restrictions​. Fences must be built along the property line indicated on your property survey. If needed, Homeowners can request a copy of their survey from the Building Department ​or purchase a copy from the Land Registry Office.

​Once the subdivision has been assumed, changes and repairs to the fence are the responsibility of the Homeowner. All fencing changes must adhere to the Zoning By-law, and must not prevent the Developer from delivering aspects of the subdivision that they are bound to provide in their agreement with the City.​

​Backyard c​atch basins and storm connections installed on private property and become the responsibility of the Homeowner upon assumption of the subdivision.​​

Mud or dust that is tracked on the road from trucks or heavy equipment is the Developer’s responsibility to sweep. The number of times the street will be swept depends on the season and the amount of building activity.

Debris deposited during Winter operations will be swept during the Spring Street Sweeping Program​.

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