New Subdivisions

Subdivision agreements

A subdivision agreement or development agreement clearly states the developer's obligations to the municipality or region for construction of roads, sewers, watermains, parks, open spaces and other services in your subdivision. These are complex legal documents. 

Purchasers are urged to review these agreements with their lawyer, especially the warning clauses and special conditions, before signing the purchase documents.

Purchaser warning and advisory clauses

All Builder/Homeowner Purchase and Sale Agreements should include purchaser warning clauses that alert new homeowners of potential issues regarding their subdivision. 

Purchasers should carefully review these clauses. When in doubt, homeowners should contact the town's Development Engineering department for clarification at 905-845-6601, ext. 3040.

Developer responsibilities

The developer is responsible for grading and drainage; construction of sewers, watermains, roads, curbs and sidewalks; street lighting and perimeter fencing in the subdivision.

Builder responsibilities

The builder is responsible for constructing your house, grading and sodding of the lot and driveway construction.

Hydro boxes, sidewalk, community mailboxes and lampposts in front of your property

Information about the placement of hydro boxes, sidewalks, community mailboxes, lampposts, etc. abutting your property may be obtained from either the developer or builder of your subdivision. This information is provided in the sales office as well as a Land Use signage within the subdivision. 

You can also contact the town's Development Engineering department at 905-845-6601, ext. 3343.

The following town standards apply to the construction of sidewalks:

• Local streets and cul-de-sacs: sidewalks are required on one side only
• Larger roadways: sidewalks are required on both sides

For more information about community mailboxes, please contact Canada Post at 905-339-1266.

For information on cable TV boxes, please contact TV Cogeco at 905-333-5522.

Final acceptance or assumption of new subdivision

Final acceptance and/or assumption of a subdivision occurs when the municipality assumes responsibility for the maintenance of all municipal services from the developer. This usually happens within three to six years after the registration of the subdivision, or when all the developer's requirements have been fulfilled.

Until this happens, the developer is responsible for all municipal and regional services and maintenance of the streets with the exception of snow clearance and garbage pickup. Unassumed roads are open to the public and subject to conventional rules of the road under the Highway Traffic Act including parking regulations.

Visit the New Roads and Assumption of Subdivisions page to track the status of the assumption of your subdivision.

Waiting for final lot grading certification

A professional engineer working on behalf of the developer must certify the final grading of lots to ensure it meets the drainage plan approved by the municipality. This certification takes place after the property has been graded and sodded. Homeowners should not alter lot grading without permission from the developer. Please note that detrimental alterations without consent may result in costly expenses for the homeowner.

Builder returning deposits

Builders often require deposits before closing to ensure that new homeowners do not alter the grading of their lot before final certification. The town does not require the builder to take these deposits. The homeowner should check his or her Agreement of Purchase and Sale to determine when the builder will return the deposits.

Water service

The Region of Halton is responsible for all services related to water and sanitary sewers (not storm sewers). However, the developer is responsible for construction and maintenance of water and wastewater services until the subdivision is assumed by the town and the region begins the provision of water and sanitary sewer services. 

For more information, call AccessHalton at 905-825-6000 or visit the Region of Halton website.

Building permits for a shed, deck, fence, pool, to finish a basement or to install an air conditioner

To determine if you require a building permit, please contact Service Oakville at 905-845-6601, ext. 7376. 

To ensure compliance with the town’s zoning by-law, please call 905-845-6601 ext. 3036, 3174 or 3361. 

In addition to a building permit, a Site Alteration Permit or a Pool Enclosure Permit may be required. For these permits please contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 , ext. 7376. 

If you require a building permit and zoning compliance, please contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601, ext. 7376. 

To learn more, visit the Building Permits page.

When to construct a fence, pool, patio, shed or deck on your property

In most instances, you will require approval from the builder, since fencing, pools and other works alter grading or landscape work on your property. Builders can require that homeowners dismantle fences, decks, sheds, etc. if necessary to complete their work. Do not landscape, erect fencing, decks or sheds or install a pool that may alter the grading and/or drainage on your lot, or that of a neighbouring lot. 

Any alterations to grade must conform to the requirements of the municipality and pose no impact to the overall drainage patterns in the area. 

For more information, please call 905-845-6601, ext. 7376. 

To learn more, visit the Construction Projects page.

Street trees

In new subdivisions in Oakville the developer is responsible for the installation of street trees and the species and location are determined in consultation with town. 

Planting takes place in the spring and fall of each year after the sod is laid by the builder. The spacing and location of the trees varies and not every lot will receive a municipal street tree. The town is responsible for choosing the species of tree to ensure longevity. All streetscape designs are approved by Council. 

For more information, please call 905-6601, ext. 3869.

Builder's grading, sodding and any unfinished exterior work

Sodding of your lot will normally be carried out months after construction to allow for settling. It may also be delayed after occupancy of your home due to seasonal availability of sod. Contact your builder to find out when exterior work will be finished. Municipal consent to occupy the home will be granted as soon as safety and basic service requirements are met, however, this does not guarantee that the home will be completed to the homeowner's satisfaction. For example, the municipality will grant occupancy when one toilet and one sink are installed and operational, regardless of the number of washrooms included in the house plans. Purchasers are urged to review completion issues with their solicitor.

Developer/builder fence installation

Developers are usually responsible for fencing on the subdivision, such as acoustical fencing, corner lot screen fencing or chain link fencing adjacent to open space and/or parks. Homeowners should contact their developer or builder to find out when fencing will be completed.

Landscaping boulevards

Vegetation and/or landscaping features cannot be placed on town lands. Homeowners who do not comply will be required to remove these features at their own expense. 

For more information, please contact the town's Road Corridor Permit Coordinator at 905-845-6601, ext. 3337.

Access the plans for your house and/or lot

Homeowners or purchasers should contact their builder for specific plans and drawings. The municipality may have drawings on file as part of the building permit process. 

Copies of these drawings may be obtained through freedom of information and duplicated for a small fee by contacting ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601, ext. 7376.

Stormwater Management Ponds

Most new subdivisions include a stormwater management facility, which often appear as a landscaped pond. These ponds are designed to collect runoff after a heavy rainfall, treat and discharge it into rivers and creeks. 

Ponds are monitored and maintained by the developer, including routine dredging of the area, until the municipality assumes the subdivision (up to 10 years after construction).

Driveway paving

Driveway construction within the public road allowance is the responsibility of the developer. The standard in Oakville is for concrete driveway aprons. It is often recommended that paving a driveway be delayed, so that natural settlement can occur. 

Always refer to your Agreement of Purchase and Sale with regard to construction responsibility and timing of completion.

Driveway widening

If you want to widen your driveway, contact the ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601, ext. 7376 to ensure that the widening is in compliance with town by-laws. 

If your subdivision is yet to be assumed by the town, you must also obtain your developer’s permission to widen or do any alteration to your driveway. To learn more, visit the Zoning page.

Parking permits

The side of the street designated for parking is determined early in the subdivision design process. Unless otherwise signed, there is a three-hour parking limit in effect on all town streets. Between November 15 and April 15, parking is prohibited on all streets between 2 and 6 a.m. to facilitate winter road maintenance. Temporary on-street parking permits are available for overnight visitors, driveway repairs, etc. For more information contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601, ext. 7376.

For one-night of unplanned overnight on-street parking, please use the after-hours messaging service by calling 905-845-6601, ext. 7376. Be sure to record your address, licence number and make of your car. 

Visit our Parking page to learn more.

Public transit

Potential bus routes are identified early in the subdivision planning phase. Bus stops and/or shelters are identified after a route has been introduced to an area. The majority of construction must be complete in a new subdivision before allowing buses access and is also subject to demand and funding. Service is generally introduced as rush-hour only service, and in time develops into all-day service. 

Please visit the Oakville Transit website for current routes and schedules.

Snow clearing

Winter snow clearing (plowing, salting/sanding) services for roads and sidewalks are provided by the Roads and Works Operations department. 

Please call 905-845-6601 during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday to Friday. For after-hours or weekends, please call the Snow Information Line at 905-815-5999.

School boards

Please refer to the appropriate education board for information regarding schools and busing. School locations and potential sites are determined by each school board. Future schools identified on maps or signs in subdivisions are not guaranteed to be built. Should the boards declare any site surplus, the lands can be developed for other purposes depending on the zoning of the lands.

Deficiencies inside your home

Your builder is responsible for any deficiencies in your new home. First, give your builder a chance to act on your complaints. Then, if the builder fails to respond, notify TARION (formerly Ontario New Home Warranty Program) and request assistance within the proper timeframe of your warranty. It is important to record all complaints in writing to both your builder and TARION. 

For more information, contact the offices of TARION at 1-800-668-0124, visit the TARION website or email info@tarion.com. Please note there are strict time limits in which written complaints must be made to TARION. Purchasers are urged to discuss the complaint process with their solicitor.

Garbage and recycling

All waste collection and recycling services are managed by the Region of Halton. 

For information regarding waste collection and recycling in new residential areas, please call AccessHalton at 905-825-6000.

External equipment (heating and central A/C, pool pumps and filters)

Zoning regulations govern the location of external equipment. As regulations vary by zone, owners should check with the zoning section of the Building Services department to determine what regulations are applicable to their location. 

Please call 905-845-6601, ext. 7376 for details or visit the Zoning page.

Construction nuisances

All new subdivisions have nuisances pertaining to noise, truck traffic, dust and debris. While these are an annoyance to homeowners, the town does require the developer/builder to mitigate these nuisances and work to reduce them when possible. 

Concerns can be directed to the ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601, ext. 7376.

Mud/dirt on the roadways

The developer is responsible for maintaining clean and safe roads throughout construction. Please call 905-845-6601.