Stormwater Approvals in London, Ontario Guide

Managing stormwater in London, Ontario requires approvals from municipal and sometimes conservation authority offices before site work or development. This guide explains who issues permits, when a stormwater management plan or permit is required, how to apply, and how enforcement and appeals work so you can avoid delays during planning or construction.

Who issues stormwater approvals

Two authorities commonly control stormwater approvals in London:

• City of London engineering and development services for municipal stormwater controls, storm sewer connections and site-plan-level stormwater management.
• Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) for work in regulated areas such as floodplains, river valleys and wetlands.

The City maintains requirements for stormwater management reports and approvals as part of development applications and building permits, and the UTRCA issues permits where its regulations apply. For official guidance and regulated-area maps, consult the City stormwater pages and the UTRCA permit pages City stormwater guidance^[1] and UTRCA permits^[2].

When approvals are required

• New subdivisions, site plans, or major grading and infill projects usually require a stormwater management report and municipal approvals.
• Any work in or near watercourses, floodplains, or wetlands may trigger a conservation authority permit.
• Alterations that change drainage patterns, increase impervious area, or connect to municipal sewers need municipal review.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement can be carried out by municipal by-law officers or the conservation authority depending on the breach and location.

• Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page for municipal stormwater guidance; conservation authority fines or orders are described generally on their permit pages UTRCA permits^[2].
• Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited City guidance page; escalation practices are summarized on the conservation authority permit pages UTRCA permits^[2].
• Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, remediation orders, permit suspensions or revocations, and court action are enforcement tools referenced by the conservation authority and applied by the City where by-laws are breached.
• Enforcers and complaint pathways: City of London Engineering/By-law Enforcement and the UTRCA are the responsible bodies; contact links are in the Help and Support section below.
• Appeals and review: appeals of conservation authority permit decisions follow the CA’s published processes; municipal decisions appeal routes depend on the type of approval and are not specified on the City stormwater guidance page.
• Defences/discretion: permits, variances or approved stormwater management plans are typical defences; discretionary enforcement may consider permits or ongoing remediation.

Applications & Forms

• Stormwater management reports: typically required with site plan or development applications; exact form names or file numbers are not specified on the City stormwater guidance page City stormwater guidance^[1].
• Fees: specific application or permit fees are not specified on the cited City guidance page and are listed on permit application pages where available.
• Submission: municipal stormwater materials are submitted to City Development Services or Building/Engineering as directed by the application type; conservation authority permit applications follow the UTRCA submission process UTRCA permits^[2].

How to get approvals - practical steps

1. Confirm the property’s regulated status: check UTRCA regulated-area maps and City mapping early.
2. Prepare a stormwater management plan by a qualified engineer following City guidelines and include required drawings and calculations.
3. Submit the stormwater report with the relevant City development or building application; if in a regulated area, submit a conservation authority permit application in parallel.
4. Pay application fees where applicable and respond promptly to technical review comments.
5. Obtain written approvals from both the City and the conservation authority before starting work; keep copies of permits on site.

FAQ

Do I always need a conservation authority permit?

No; only work in areas regulated by the UTRCA requires their permit, but you should check regulated-area maps early and confirm with the UTRCA.

What if my project changes drainage but is not in a regulated area?

You must still follow City stormwater rules and may need to submit a stormwater report with your development or building application.

How long do approvals take?

Review times vary by application complexity and are not specified on the cited City stormwater guidance page; contact City Development Services for current timelines.

How-To

1. Check UTRCA regulated-area maps and the City stormwater guidance to identify approvals needed.
2. Hire a qualified engineer to prepare a stormwater management plan following City standards.
3. Submit the plan with the correct municipal application and a CA permit if required; include required reports and drawings.
4. Respond to review comments, pay fees, and obtain written approvals before construction.

Key Takeaways

• Check both City and UTRCA requirements early to determine needed permits.
• Submit a professional stormwater management report with development or building applications.
• Failing to obtain approvals can trigger orders, remediation and potential fines; act quickly if contacted by authorities.

Help and Support / Resources

• City of London - Stormwater and drainage
• City of London - Permits and approvals
• Upper Thames River Conservation Authority - Permits
• City of London - Contact and service centres

1. [1] City of London - Stormwater and drainage guidance
2. [2] Upper Thames River Conservation Authority - Permits