Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Approvals
Find out if you require an ESC Plan for your project
Total site size | ESC Plan requirements / communication with The City |
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Less than 0.4ha: Without characteristics that indicate greater than normal ESC concerns*. |
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Less than 0.4ha: With characteristics that indicate greater than normal ESC concerns*. |
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Equal to or greater than 0.4ha Less than 0.4ha exposed to erosion |
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NOTE: The City reserves the right to request an ESC Plan or Good Housekeeping letter on any site that is less than 0.4 ha if The City believes there is potential of an adverse effect to property, infrastructure, health, safety, or the environment.
Total Site Size | ESC Plan requirements / communication with The City |
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Equal to or greater than 0.4ha, but less than 65ha |
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Equal to or greater than 65ha |
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* Greater than normal ESC concerns could include adjacent environmental reserves, steep slopes leading directly to natural waterbodies, or other abnormal ESC risks
Apply for a disposal permit
Information about how to apply for a Stormwater disposal permit can be found here:
Technical difficulties with ESC email
Recently, the ESC@calgary.ca inbox has had problems receiving emails.
The issue is now resolved, but please resend your information if you sent an email after Dec. 26 and have not received a response.
ESC Plan application form and support documents
An ESC Plan consists of the ESC Plan application form, required documentation and drawing references and the relevant ESC Standard Specifications.
This fillable pdf form is required for all ESC Plans. The application will inform which drawings you will be required to submit with your plan. For best functionality, we recommend you download this form and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
This document provides a detailed explanation of requirements for each section and sub-section of the application. View a sample completed application. View example application drawings.
The specifications set out requirements for construction site erosion and sediment control in Calgary. Use them as a reference when creating ESC Plans. The specifications form part of all approved Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plans and must be followed during all stages of construction.
Your plan must align with the general requirements section, and any specific erosion control or practice you are using must follow the implementation, maintenance, inspection and removal requirements outlined within this document.
The guidelines provide an introduction to ESC principles, local regulatory requirements, ESC Plan design requirements and considerations. These guidelines are intended to support the planning and design stages of ESC projects in Calgary.
ESC Plan supporting tools
To make calculating LS values for your site's ESC Plan more streamlined and consistent, The City has created a LS3 Calculator.
How to submit your ESC Plan
To help limit the spread of COVID-19, you will temporarily be able to submit ESC applications digitally, and/or via hard copy delivery.
Digital submissions can be sent to ESC@calgary.ca or your respective reviewer. Please note the following:
- This is a temporary service and will be discontinued when we return to normal operations.
- We are working towards developing a permanent process for digital submissions, but are not there yet. We will keep you posted on progress for digital submissions in the future.
- All submissions will require a FINAL physical copy for our official records. We will arrange this with you once we return to normal operations.
Application type | 1st Submission | Resubmissions |
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Stripping & Grading Development Permits & Development Agreements |
Hardcopy: Calgary Municipal Building Digital: Email to the project’s assigned Engineering Generalist |
Hardcopy: Shipping and Receiving Water Centre, 625 25 Avenue SE Digital: Email to ESC@calgary.ca |
Development Permits City Projects |
Hardcopy: Shipping and Receiving Water Centre, 625 25 Avenue SE Digital: Email to ESC@calgary.ca |
Hardcopy: Shipping and Receiving Water Centre, 625 25 Avenue SE Digital: Email to ESC@calgary.ca |
Courier | |
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c/o Business Support Coordinator The City of Calgary, Water Resources Mail code 413 PO Box 2100, Stn M, T2P 2M5 |
c/o Business Support Coordinator The City of Calgary, Manchester Centre Stormwater Pollution Prevention Water Centre Shipping and Receiving 625 25 Avenue S.E.
Note: The Water Centre shipping and receiving door is located on the east side of the building. Ring the buzzer for entry. |
Courier | |
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Engineering Generalist The City of Calgary Development & Building Approvals Mail code 8032 PO Box 2100, Stn M, T2P 2M5 |
Engineering Generalist The City of Calgary Development & Building Approvals 3 rd floor, Calgary Municipal Building 800 MacLeod Trail S.E. |
Timelines for obtaining ESC Plan approval
The City commits to reviewing each ESC Plan submitted to The City within 14 business days. It is common for ESC Plans to require two or three submissions before an ESC Approval letter is granted and construction can begin. Avoid delays to your construction start date by scheduling adequate time for the entire ESC Plan approval process which can often take anywhere from three to 12+ weeks.
ESC Inspections
ESC practices must be inspected and documented by a Qualified Inspector at least every seven days, and at critical times when erosion and sediment release could occur, such as after windy weather, significant precipitation or melt events. Find out more about ESC inspections.