The homeowner must apply for Final Grade Approval within one year of receiving Rough Grade Approval. The rough grade has an allowance of approximately 7 to 20 centimetres for topsoil placement. The owner may choose to apply for final grade when the lot is graded to where the final product needs to be placed (e. g. sod, rock, or decorative material) or is completely landscaped.

Topsoil should be smoothly spread out and compacted, ready for sod, liners, rocks, etc. If rocks, wood chips or other decorative material is planned, the clay base (rough grade) must be raised to final grade before placing the decorative material down. Rock or wood chips do not make up for the 7 to 20 centimetres of final grade, since surface water can flow through those materials.

If a property-owner bypasses the Rough Grade Approval, it is the builder's or applicant's responsibility to ensure that the roof leaders (downspouts) and foundation drainage systems are draining according to the approved engineering drawings.

Note: The owner of a lot located near a lake (Stormwater Management Facility), walkway or a ravine shall comply with the terms and conditions of any City of Edmonton registered easement, right-of-way, caveat or restrictive covenant. For more information, please see Lake, Ravine and Top of Bank Lots.

Applying for Final Grade Approval

1.  The homeowner or applicant has the lot surveyed on final grade (on topsoil and/or sod) by an Alberta Land Surveyor, a Professional Engineer or an Architect, who prepares a Plan of Certification of As-built Grades (Lot Grading Certificate).

2.  Once the Lot Grading Certificate is complete, an electronic version is submitted to Drainage Services for review and approval. If paper versions are submitted they will be scanned. The applicant must provide information on the method of contact to Drainage Services in order to receive the Lot Grading Inspection Report. The three methods of contact are: fax, e-mail or mail.

3.  The City's lot grading section will review the Lot Grading Certificate in comparison to the lot grading plan for the area to verify the design elevations, lot type, drainage easement information and storm servicing information.

4.  A City lot grading inspector will conduct a visual site inspection to verify that the lot is graded in accordance with the approved plan. This is usually done within five working days from receipt of the certificate, depending on weather conditions and workload.

5.  A Lot Grading Inspection Report is sent to the homeowner or applicant by the method of contact indicated in step 2, indicating whether Final Grade Approval is granted or deficiencies exist.

6.  If deficiencies exist, the applicant must correct the deficiencies within 60 days and notify Drainage Services for a re-inspection.

Note: If the lot grading inspector requests a re-submission of the Lot Grading Certificate or re-confirmation of an elevation(s) by an Alberta Land Surveyor, engineer or architect, the Lot Grading Certificate must be sent to Drainage Services as indicated in step 2. The review and inspection process would then be repeated.

7.  If the final grade was completed by a professional landscaper, the homeowner or applicant is responsible for notifying the landscaper.

When the Final Grade Approval is issued, the owner or applicant will be notified of the approved status of the lot grading. The Lot Grading Inspector issues Final Grade Approval based on the site conditions at the time the inspector was present.

It is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain the surface grades in perpetuity. The City of Edmonton may at any time, require maintenance or repairs on the lot grading if alterations or settlements result in surface drainage problems.