City Departments
Frequently asked Questions for New Subdivisions
Who is involved in building new subdivisions?
Developer - The Developer, who owns the land, enters into a Subdivision Agreement with the City to ensure that the construction of the subdivision meets the requirements of the City and other public agencies. The developer is responsible for construction of sewers, watermains, roads, curbs, sidewalks, street lights and perimeter fencing where required. The City holds financial securities to ensure the Developer performs all the requirements of the agreement.
Consulting Engineer - Hired by the Developer, the Consulting Engineer is directly responsible for the supervision and administration of subdivision construction work.
Contractors - Contractors have various construction abilities and are hired by the Developer to construct all new infrastructure on the road allowance.
Builder - Buys lots from the Developer and then builds the homes that the Homeowners purchase. The builder is usually responsible for constructing of house, the grading and sodding of the lots and paving of driveway.
Homeowners - Buy homes within the new subdivision.
City of Cambridge - City staff administer the Subdivision Agreement and inspect the subdivision works undertaken by the Developer to ensure that it complies with the Subdivision Agreement. The City won't release the financial securities until it has inspected all work and the Developer has satisfied all parts of the agreement.
(Note: There may be exceptions to the above. The Builder and Developer may be one in some subdivisions. In others, various Builders buy lots from one Developer.)
Has my subdivision been assumed?
Assumption of the subdivision by the City occurs when the municipality assumes responsibility for the maintenance of all municipal services. This usually occurs within four to six years after the registration of the subdivision when the Developer has met all requirements for final acceptance or when the City is satisfied that the Developer's obligations have been fulfilled (typically one to two years after the final coat of pavement has been installed throughout the subdivision). Until assumption, the Developer is responsible for all municipal services and the upkeep of the street (except snow clearance). Three milestones in the acceptance process are:
Will my property have a fire hydrant, hydro transformer, community mail box or other utilities pedestals on it?
Contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392 to arrange a time to view the design drawings.
When will I be receiving my grading deposit?
In some subdivisions, the grading/sod deposit is held by your Builder (not the City) and is generally returned to the Homeowner following assumption. Check your Purchase and Sale Agreement to determine when your grading/sod deposit will be returned. If you require further information about your grading/sod deposit, contact your Builder.
The tree in the boulevard needs to be replaced?
Prior to assumption, contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392. If the subdivision is assumed, contact Public Works at (519)740-4684 or the Forestry Division at (519)740-4681.
Who can I speak with regarding storm water management?
Storm water management is the mechanism for controlling storm water runoff for the purpose of reducing downstream erosion, water quality improvement, flooding and mitigating the diverse effects of changes in land use on the aquatic environment. For further information, please contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392.
Who do I contact with regard to sanitary sewers and water mains?
Contact Development Engineering at (519)740.4650, ext. 4539 for new subdivisions. Contact Engineering and Public Works at (519)740-4682.
My vehicle has been damaged due to a pothole or road construction.
Contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4539 for unassumed subdivisions or roads.
Contact Engineering and Public Works at (519)740-4682, for assumed subdivisions and if the damage is due to a road reconstruction project.
When can I put up my fence in a new subdivision?
It is recommended to put up your fence only after the City has received Grading Certification from the Developer's Engineer, which generally occurs 8-12 weeks after sod has been placed.
If your property abuts a future park, public open space or a storm water management facility, the Developer may have an obligation to fence the property. Contact Development Engineer at (519)740-4650, ext. 4539.
When can I apply for a Building Permit for any changes around a house in a new subdivision?
You can apply for a Building Permit for your swimming pool or any other extension/changes at any time but preferably after the City has received Grading Certification from the Developer's Engineer.
Site Alteration and Grading
Approved lot grading and drainage designs are intended to protect private properties as well as the City's roads, ditches, culverts, boulevards and storm water drainage patterns from damages caused by water and erosion. If you plan to alter your grading in a new subdivision, make sure no swale or neighbouring drainage is disturbed. Owners are encouraged to seek the City of Cambridge assistance and expertise before beginning a site alteration to fully understand the scope of work to their properties. For further information, please contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392.
Backyard Catch Basins
The backyard catch basins and storm connections may be installed on private property and usually become the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain upon assumption of the subdivision. Contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392.
Developer - The Developer, who owns the land, enters into a Subdivision Agreement with the City to ensure that the construction of the subdivision meets the requirements of the City and other public agencies. The developer is responsible for construction of sewers, watermains, roads, curbs, sidewalks, street lights and perimeter fencing where required. The City holds financial securities to ensure the Developer performs all the requirements of the agreement.
Consulting Engineer - Hired by the Developer, the Consulting Engineer is directly responsible for the supervision and administration of subdivision construction work.
Contractors - Contractors have various construction abilities and are hired by the Developer to construct all new infrastructure on the road allowance.
Builder - Buys lots from the Developer and then builds the homes that the Homeowners purchase. The builder is usually responsible for constructing of house, the grading and sodding of the lots and paving of driveway.
Homeowners - Buy homes within the new subdivision.
City of Cambridge - City staff administer the Subdivision Agreement and inspect the subdivision works undertaken by the Developer to ensure that it complies with the Subdivision Agreement. The City won't release the financial securities until it has inspected all work and the Developer has satisfied all parts of the agreement.
(Note: There may be exceptions to the above. The Builder and Developer may be one in some subdivisions. In others, various Builders buy lots from one Developer.)
Has my subdivision been assumed?
Assumption of the subdivision by the City occurs when the municipality assumes responsibility for the maintenance of all municipal services. This usually occurs within four to six years after the registration of the subdivision when the Developer has met all requirements for final acceptance or when the City is satisfied that the Developer's obligations have been fulfilled (typically one to two years after the final coat of pavement has been installed throughout the subdivision). Until assumption, the Developer is responsible for all municipal services and the upkeep of the street (except snow clearance). Three milestones in the acceptance process are:
- Underground Completion, where public services up to base asphalt are completed.
- After home construction and public services are completed, then the 24-36 month maintenance period commences.
- Assumption, where the maintenance period has expired and all deficiencies have been corrected by the Developer. Contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4539 for any further information.
Will my property have a fire hydrant, hydro transformer, community mail box or other utilities pedestals on it?
Contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392 to arrange a time to view the design drawings.
When will I be receiving my grading deposit?
In some subdivisions, the grading/sod deposit is held by your Builder (not the City) and is generally returned to the Homeowner following assumption. Check your Purchase and Sale Agreement to determine when your grading/sod deposit will be returned. If you require further information about your grading/sod deposit, contact your Builder.
The tree in the boulevard needs to be replaced?
Prior to assumption, contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392. If the subdivision is assumed, contact Public Works at (519)740-4684 or the Forestry Division at (519)740-4681.
Who can I speak with regarding storm water management?
Storm water management is the mechanism for controlling storm water runoff for the purpose of reducing downstream erosion, water quality improvement, flooding and mitigating the diverse effects of changes in land use on the aquatic environment. For further information, please contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392.
Who do I contact with regard to sanitary sewers and water mains?
Contact Development Engineering at (519)740.4650, ext. 4539 for new subdivisions. Contact Engineering and Public Works at (519)740-4682.
My vehicle has been damaged due to a pothole or road construction.
Contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4539 for unassumed subdivisions or roads.
Contact Engineering and Public Works at (519)740-4682, for assumed subdivisions and if the damage is due to a road reconstruction project.
When can I put up my fence in a new subdivision?
It is recommended to put up your fence only after the City has received Grading Certification from the Developer's Engineer, which generally occurs 8-12 weeks after sod has been placed.
If your property abuts a future park, public open space or a storm water management facility, the Developer may have an obligation to fence the property. Contact Development Engineer at (519)740-4650, ext. 4539.
When can I apply for a Building Permit for any changes around a house in a new subdivision?
You can apply for a Building Permit for your swimming pool or any other extension/changes at any time but preferably after the City has received Grading Certification from the Developer's Engineer.
Site Alteration and Grading
Approved lot grading and drainage designs are intended to protect private properties as well as the City's roads, ditches, culverts, boulevards and storm water drainage patterns from damages caused by water and erosion. If you plan to alter your grading in a new subdivision, make sure no swale or neighbouring drainage is disturbed. Owners are encouraged to seek the City of Cambridge assistance and expertise before beginning a site alteration to fully understand the scope of work to their properties. For further information, please contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392.
Backyard Catch Basins
The backyard catch basins and storm connections may be installed on private property and usually become the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain upon assumption of the subdivision. Contact Development Engineering at (519)740-4650, ext. 4392.