Under City of Port Moody Stream and Drainage Bylaw 2023, No.3426, we require an Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Permit if your construction project meets the criteria for a Building Permit or Development Permit. An ESC Permit must be issued prior to any planned ground disturbance occurring, such as clearing/grubbing, excavation, or grading. 

The purpose of an ESC Permit is to ensure Applicants are aware of their responsibilities to protect the municipal drainage system and receiving environment during the duration of their construction project, including meeting water-quality criteria as outlined in the Stream and Drainage Bylaw. 

Helpful Resources

ESC Permit Application requirements

Note that there are reduced ESC Permit application requirements for Single-Family and Two-Family construction projects.  

Single-Family or Two-Family Construction Projects

Projects include:

  • constructing a single-family home
  • a two-lot subdivision for the construction of two single-family homes
  • new structures requiring a building permit on a single-family residential property

 ESC Permit Requirements:

  • Submit Schedule A - Declaration of Permit Holder
  • Submit Schedule B - Letter of Undertaking
  • Utilize and apply Schedule F - Simplified ESC Plan
  • Comply with ESC Best Practices and water-quality requirements under Stream and Drainage Bylaw 2023, No.3426

ESC Permit Application Fee:

  • None; waived for Single-Family and Two-Family construction projects

ESC Securities:

  • None; waived for Single-Family and Two-Family construction projects

All Other Construction Projects

Projects include:

  • multi-family developments
  • mixed-use developments
  • City projects completed by a third-party contractor
  • Capital projects completed by a third-party contractor

ESC Permit Requirements:

  • Submit Detailed ESC Plan
  • Submit Schedule A - Declaration of Permit Holder
  • Submit Schedule B - Letter of Undertaking
  • Submit Schedule C - Letter of Appointment
  • Submit Schedule D – Detailed Cost Estimate (plus supporting documents)
  • Submit Schedule E – Water Treatment Chemical Checklist (plus supporting documents)

ESC Permit Application Fee:

  • See the Erosion and Sediment Control section of the Fees Bylaw to learn more

ESC Securities:

  • An Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ILOC) of 120% of the Detailed Cost Estimate (Schedule D) is collected, and returned upon project completion.

Permit Fee

There is no ESC Permit Application fee for Single-Family and Two-Family projects, or City projects.

For all other construction projects requiring an ESC Permit, there is an ESC Permit Application fee - visit the Erosion and Sediment Control section of the Fees Bylaw to learn more.  

ESC Securities 

There are no ESC Securities collected for Single-Family and Two-Family projects, or City projects.

For all other construction projects requiring an ESC Permit, securities are collected (120% of the Detailed Cost Estimate, per Schedule D).

Independent Third-Party Continuous ('Real-Time') Monitoring

An independent third-party continuous monitoring system is required for all construction projects greater than 2,000m2. This system must meet criteria as outlined in Stream and Drainage Bylaw 2023, No.3426. This system must be activated and fully-functional prior to the first discharge from a construction site to the City storm sewer.

Schedules & Monitoring Inspection Template

Schedules A through F are available for download in PDF (fillable) format or Word Doc format. The City's ESC Monitoring Inspection Report template is also available for download in PDF (fillable) format or Word Doc format.

SCHEDULE A - Declaration of Permit Holder

SCHEDULE B - Letter of Undertaking

SCHEDULE C - Letter of Appointment

SCHEDULE D - Detailed Cost Estimate

SCHEDULE E - Water Treatment Chemical Checklist

SCHEDULE F - Simplified ESC Plan

ESC Monitoring Inspection Template

Apply for an ESC Permit

Please complete the ESC Permit Application linked below a minimum of 15 working days (3 weeks) before your intended start date, to allow sufficient time for any necessary revisions. Paper and email applications are no longer accepted. Applications must be submitted online.

Pay ESC Permit Fee 

After submitting your online application, your application will undergo an initial review. Once the review is complete, you will receive instructions via email on how to pay the permit fee. Fee payment will be required following the initial review and must be completed before the permit can proceed.

After the permit fee is paid and your documents have been reviewed and accepted, a security deposit will be required prior to the issuance of the permit. Instructions on how to provide the security deposit will also be sent via email.