Richmond Hill Storm Sewer Cleaning - Bylaw & Fees

Utilities and Infrastructure Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of Ontario · By Daniel Roy

Overview

Richmond Hill, Ontario maintains a municipal program for storm sewer cleaning and maintenance that prioritizes main trunks, high-risk catchments and public safety. The city’s Operations and Infrastructure group schedules routine cleaning, CCTV inspection and emergency response; details on routine schedules, service requests and contact points are published by the city. City of Richmond Hill - Stormwater and Drainage[1]

City crews prioritize main lines and high-risk catchments.

Routine Services

  • Cleaning and jetting of municipal storm mains and catch basins.
  • CCTV inspection and condition assessment of storm sewers.
  • Seasonal scheduling for leaf, debris and spring cleanup cycles.
  • Emergency response to blockages, flooding and public-safety hazards.

Private property drainage connections remain the responsibility of the property owner unless the issue affects the municipal system; the city will intervene when public infrastructure or safety is at risk.

Penalties & Enforcement

The city enforces storm sewer and drainage requirements through its operations and by-law enforcement teams. Specific monetary fines or fee schedules for non-compliance or obstruction of storm sewers are not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence ranges not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to remediate, work orders, seizure of materials, and court action may apply where authorized by municipal bylaw or provincial legislation.
  • Enforcer and complaints: the Operations and Infrastructure division and By-law Enforcement handle inspections and complaints via the city service request process.[1]
If you face immediate flooding or safety risk, call city emergency services before submitting an online request.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes service request and report-a-problem forms for stormwater issues; specific permit forms or fee schedules for private drain work are not listed on the stormwater page and should be confirmed with the city.[1]

How To

Follow these steps to report a blocked storm sewer or request cleaning from Richmond Hill:

  1. Identify the location, nearest address or catch basin ID and assess immediate risk to people or property.
  2. Check the city stormwater page for scheduled maintenance windows and advisories. City of Richmond Hill - Stormwater and Drainage[1]
  3. Submit a service request online or by phone using the city’s Report a Problem / Service Request channel on the stormwater page.
  4. If the issue concerns a private connection or requires a permit, request guidance from the city before commissioning private contractors.
  5. Keep records of reports, photos and correspondence to support any appeals or follow-up.
Document photos and exact locations to speed up service response.

FAQ

Who is responsible for cleaning storm sewers?
The City of Richmond Hill is responsible for municipal storm mains and catch basins; property owners are responsible for private drainage connections unless the problem affects the municipal system.
Are there set fees for requesting a clean of a municipal storm sewer?
Specific fees and fines are not specified on the cited city stormwater page; contact the city for any chargeable service details.[1]
How do I report a blocked catch basin or storm sewer?
Report using the city’s online service request or by phone listed on the stormwater and drainage page; include location, photos and urgency.

Key Takeaways

  • Richmond Hill maintains scheduled and emergency cleaning for municipal storm sewers.
  • Use the city’s service request process to report problems and request work.
  • Fees and specific fines are not published on the stormwater page and must be confirmed with the city.

Help and Support / Resources


  1. [1] City of Richmond Hill - Stormwater and Drainage
Daniel Roy

Daniel Roy

Municipal Bylaw Analyst

Daniel analyses municipal bylaws across Canadian provinces and territories. He checks every guide against official municipal and provincial sources.