The City of Saskatoon currently has a Drainage Bylaw, as well as various regulatory standards and guidelines regarding drainage and elevation. However, there is no comprehensive regulatory framework to apply and enforce these standards, and thereby control drainage in new or existing developments.

This lack of regulation and enforcement creates drainage problems in new and existing developments and, without an appropriate regulation in place, it leads to many neighbour disputes. In addition, rapidly growing neighbourhoods and the steady increase of infill developments in existing neighbourhoods require clear regulation and enforcement to maintain quality of life and ensure proper handling of drainage-related issues.

The City's Drainage Regulation and Compliance Project is aimed at developing a more comprehensive drainage regulatory framework, as well as enhanced public and industry education on lot drainage.

Completed Work

• Created a Lot Drainage website to provide the public with:
  • general information on lot grading
  • detailed information on residential lot grading and drainage
  • access to City of Saskatoon Lot Grading Plans
  • information on residential lot grading styles and guidelines
  • information on minimum recommended slopes, drainage swales, and downspout / sump discharge locations
• Developed Residential Property Lot Grading Guidelines to provide information for homebuilders and homeowners on proper lot grading
• Developed administrative improvements to ensure new walk-out style homes are constructed only on lots designed to accommodate walk-out basements
• Review current regulations related to surface drainage and site grading
• Developed new Site Grading Plan review and inspection procedures for all new infill, commercial, and multi-family developments

Ongoing Work

• Implement new Site Grading Plan review and inspection procedures
• Develop regulations for rear property line elevation in new suburban development areas through the construction of concrete swales along rear shared property lines
• Revise the New Neighbourhood Design and Development Standards Manual to add requirements for land developers to ensure proper drainage on problematic block designs through design changes or construction of concrete swales
• Add recommended garage pad elevations for each property on all new Lot Grading Plans approved by the City of Saskatoon in new suburban development areas
• Amend the Drainage Bylaw, including:
  • regulations on new drainage plan review and inspection procedures
  • regulations on adherence to Lot Grading Plans and maintenance of surface drainage systems
  • regulation of downspout and sump pump discharge locations

The Drainage Regulation and Compliance project is expected to be completed in spring 2021.

If you have any questions about the project, you can send an email to Gerald.Prefontaine@Saskatoon.ca.