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Owner-initiated local improvements

A local improvement is construction project that benefits your neighbourhood.

What qualifies as a local improvement project?

Buying or selling property in Peel?

Call 905-791-7800, ext. 3053 to ask about current and pending local improvement charges.

In Peel Region typical local improvement projects are watermain, sanitary sewer or noise wall projects that happen near or next to private property.

A local improvement project is paid, in whole or in part, by the property owners who are benefitting from it.

In Peel, a local improvement project will qualify only if:

Other information

Local improvement projects can happen on occupied or vacant properties. The Region will also consider whether the property will benefit from the service now or in the future.

Step 1: Initiation

Any property owner in Peel can ask for a local improvement.

To initiate a local improvement, a property owner must apply to the Region of Peel.

The person who submits the request is called the 'project initiator'.

The application must specify:

  • The property owner's name and contact information.
  • The affected property address.
  • The type of municipal servicing (watermain, sanitary sewer or noise wall)
  • The reason for the request.

Most local improvements are initiated by property owners, but the Region can initiate a local improvement as well.

Download the Initiate a Regional Local Improvement Project application form (PDF)

Mail, fax or drop-off your completed application to:

The Regional Municipality of Peel
Public Works
Program Planning
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite B, 4th Flr.
Brampton, ON L6T 4B9
Tel 905-791-7800
Fax 905-791-0728

For more information email Peel Public Works.

Step 2: Evaluation

The Region will evaluate the request to see if it's technically and financially possible to complete.

For the Region to approve a local improvement project for construction:

  • The project must be technically and financially possible.
  • A sufficient petition must be verified and accepted by the Regional Clerk.
  • All land ownership and easement issues must be resolved.
  • Adequate funding must be available and approved by Regional Council.
  • Region staff must determine if the project is technically and financially feasible Before issuing a petition.

Step 3: Completing and circling the petition

If the project is technically and financially possible, the Region will give an unsigned petition to the project initiator.

This petition will include:

  • The project location and extent.
  • Owners' names and mailing addresses.
  • Descriptions of affected properties.
  • All mandatory and optional fees.
  • Total estimated cost for each property.
  • The petition expiry date.

Circling the petition for signatures

The project initiator is responsible for:

  • Collecting the petition.
  • Circulating the petition to the owners of all affected properties.
  • Returning the completed petition to the Region before the stated expiry date.

The project initiator may wish to contact their Regional Councillor during the petition process.

To be considered sufficient and counted in favour of the proposed works, a petition requires:

  • Signatures of owners representing at least two-thirds of the affected properties and representing at least one-half of the assessed property value.
  • Signatures that represent a majority of the owners of each property (i.e., greater than one-half).

After the petition is signed

Once the Region receives a sufficient petition, the proposed local improvement project is subject to available funding and Regional Council approval.

If the petition is sufficient and Council approves the project, all affected properties – regardless of whether or not the owners signed the petition – are assessed the applicable charges and fees.

The Region remains neutral on all local improvements. We do not solicit municipal services or encourage or discourage owners from signing a petition.

The Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act) established the provincial statutory guidelines for the administration of local improvements.

The Act gives Regional Council the authority to set a by-law to collect the owners' share of the project cost. The exact cost paid each owner for the proposed works is measured according to the Act and Regional policy.

Property owners may pay their share of the project cost through local property taxes over 15 years with interest or through a lump sum payment once the project is complete.

2023 Charges and Fees for Local Improvement Projects (PDF)

Watermain and sanitary sewer project costs

The Region will calculate an estimated project cost for watermain and sanitary sewer projects.

This estimated cost will include:

  • applicable taxes
  • contingency fees
  • drafting
  • engineering design
  • equipment
  • inspection
  • labour
  • materials
  • surveying
  • tendering

The estimated cost is only an estimate. The actual cost will be determined from the lowest bid for the project.

100% of the actual cost will be shared among the benefiting properties. Each property will pay a share of the actual cost based on the lot frontage. If there are irregularly shaped lots, in interest of fairness, the Region will also use total property area to determine the division of the shared costs.

The project cost will include each property's sewer water service to the property line, but it won't include the cost of the water service from the property line to the residence.

Affected property owners who want a connection will need to hire an independent plumber or contractor (of their own choice and at their own expense) to do the work on private property and/or within the municipal right of way. The owner must apply to connect the private side service to the lateral at the property line.

Connection administrative fees will also need to be paid in addition to the project costs.

Connection administrative fees are occasionally updated periodically. Find the latest fees in By-law 18-2019 (PDF)

We recommend that:

  • Properties with less than 500 square metres in total area install a 19-mm service.
  • Properties with greater than 500 square metres install a 25-mm diameter service.