Clean fill guidelines

Clean fill is described as:

• unimpacted* rock and soils (granular or non-granular, in dry or saturated form)
• unimpacted* cured Portland cement concrete with no protruding reinforcing
• cured asphalt or chip seal pavement that will not be subject to additional heating
• unimpacted* brick and concrete block that is source separated from the remainder of the building materials
• brush and grubbing materials

*It is the responsibility of the generator of the material and/or landowner to verify that the rock and/or soil is unimpacted.

Dimensional lumber, brick from a chimney, and other building materials not specifically noted above, are not considered to be clean fill.

While the Department of Environment and Local Government does not directly regulate clean fill, disposal of fill may be regulated under the Watercourse Alteration Regulation when the disposal activities are within 30 metres of a watercourse. As with any earth moving work, sediment control issues should be evaluated and measures taken to mitigate sediment discharge. Fill should not be placed in standing water and the local surface water flow regime should be considered and accommodated.

Side slope stability of the fill should also be considered. Contact a professional engineer licenced to practice in the province for advice when in doubt or if the fill will be used for any structural purpose.

All fill should be stabilized against erosion and settlement. Typical stabilization techniques employ compaction, placement of geotextiles and riprap, covering with a growing medium and vegetation and mulching.