Planning to dig on your property? Before the shovel hits the dirt, you need to know whether an excavation permit in Kingston, Ontario applies to your project. Many homeowners assume they can just start digging on their own land. However, the rules are stricter than most people expect, and skipping a step can get expensive fast.

At M. Riddle Excavating, we have worked across Kingston and Frontenac County for over 20 years. So we know the local process inside and out. This guide breaks down when you need a permit, when you need utility locates, and how to stay on the right side of the rules.

When Do You Need an Excavation Permit in Kingston, Ontario?

The short answer is: it depends on what you are digging for. Not every hole needs a permit. However, most serious excavation projects do. Because rules vary by project type, it helps to think in categories.

You will likely need a permit or approval for the following:

• Foundations and additions — any structural work triggers a building permit.
• Basement digs and walkouts — these tie into your foundation, so they need approval.
• In-ground pools — most municipalities require a permit plus fencing rules.
• Septic systems — installation and replacement always need a permit.
• Large land clearing or grading — this can trigger permits, especially near water.

In short, if you are changing the footprint of a structure or moving a lot of earth, assume a permit applies. When in doubt, ask before you dig. That said, a quick call to the right office saves a lot of grief later.

Who issues the permit around here?

This part trips people up. For excavation and septic permits, the issuer is your municipal or township building department. In the city, that means City of Kingston Building Services. In the county, it is the relevant Frontenac County township office.

One important note: KFL&A Public Health no longer handles on-site sewage permits. They stopped administering them at the end of 2020. So do not call the health unit for a septic permit. Go straight to your building department instead.

You can learn more about the broader framework in our overview of excavation rules in Ontario.

Utility Locates Come First — Every Time

Before any digging starts, you must get utility locates. This is the law in Ontario, and it applies to homeowners and contractors alike. Because buried gas, hydro, water, and telecom lines are everywhere, hitting one is a real danger.

The service is free, and you request it through Ontario One Call. By law, you must place a locate request before you dig. You can start one online through Ontario One Call, the province’s official locate service.

Here is why this matters so much:

• Striking a gas line can cause an explosion or serious injury.
• Hitting hydro can be fatal and knocks out power to your street.
• Damaging water or sewer lines leads to costly repairs you pay for.

After the locates are marked, you must respect them. Hand-dig carefully around any marked line. When we run a job, we handle the locate request and the digging safely, so nothing gets missed.

Setbacks, Property Lines, and Zoning Rules

An excavation permit in Kingston, Ontario is only part of the picture. You also have to respect setback rules. A setback is the minimum distance your work must sit from a property line, a road, a well, or a septic bed.

These distances protect your neighbours and your own systems. For example, a new septic bed must sit a set distance from any well or waterway. Get it wrong and you can be forced to dig it up and start over.

Common setback concerns include:

• Distance from lot lines for new structures.
• Distance from wells and watercourses for septic systems.
• Clearances from overhead and buried utilities.

Because rural properties in Frontenac County often have wells and large lots, setbacks matter even more out there. So we always confirm them before we plan a dig. That protects your investment and keeps the project moving.

Digging Near Water? Watch for Conservation Authority Rules

If your property sits near a lake, river, wetland, or floodplain, extra rules apply. The local conservation authority may need to review your plans before you excavate. This is separate from your municipal permit.

Around Kingston, the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority regulates work near many waterways. Their rules protect against flooding, erosion, and habitat damage. You can review their regulated-area requirements through the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.

When does this come into play? Usually for:

• Shoreline work and retaining walls.
• Grading or filling near a wetland or floodplain.
• Land clearing that could increase erosion or runoff.

In these cases, you may need approval from both the conservation authority and your township. It sounds complicated, however, an experienced contractor sorts it out quickly. We know which projects trigger a review and which do not.

The Real Risks of Digging Without Clearance

Some people are tempted to skip the paperwork. That is a costly gamble. Digging without the proper permit or locate can lead to stop-work orders, fines, and forced removal of the work you paid for.

Under Ontario’s Building Code Act, building without a required permit can result in significant fines. The province sets out these penalties in the Building Code Act. On top of that, unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell or insure your home.

Consider the risks side by side:

• Financial — fines, plus the cost to redo work that fails inspection.
• Safety — hitting a utility line can injure or kill.
• Legal — stop-work orders halt your project until you comply.
• Resale — buyers and lawyers flag unpermitted work fast.

In short, the permit process exists to protect you. Skipping it rarely saves money in the long run. Doing it right the first time is almost always cheaper.

How M. Riddle Excavating Handles the Whole Process

Here is the good news. You do not have to figure this out alone. We manage permits, locates, setbacks, and the digging as one smooth package. Because we do this every week, we know exactly who to call and what to file.

Our team handles a wide range of local projects, including:

• Foundation and basement excavation for new builds and additions.
• Septic system design and installation across the county.
• Lot preparation and land clearing services done to code.

Want to see real examples? Take a look at a home addition excavation in Leyton we completed. 

When you hire us, we treat the permit process as part of the job. We pull the locate request, confirm setbacks, and coordinate with your township. So you get one point of contact and no surprises.

Get a Free Quote Before You Dig

Not sure whether your project needs an excavation permit in Kingston, Ontario? Let us take a look. We will review your plans, flag any permit or locate requirements, and give you a clear path forward.

Call M. Riddle Excavating today at 613-545-7955 or request a free quote through our excavation services. We will handle the paperwork and the digging, so you can relax and get the job done right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to dig on my own property?

Often, yes. Structural work, pools, septic systems, and large grading jobs usually need a permit from your municipal or township building department. Even minor digs still require utility locates first, because that step is required by law.

Who issues excavation and septic permits near Kingston?

Your building department issues them. In the city, that is City of Kingston Building Services. In the county, it is your local Frontenac County township office. KFL&A Public Health no longer handles septic permits.

How do I get utility locates before digging?

Submit a request to Ontario One Call before you dig. The service is free and required by law. If we run your project, we handle the locate request for you and dig safely around every marked line.

What happens if I dig without a permit?

You risk stop-work orders, fines under the Building Code Act, and forced removal of the work. Unpermitted work can also cause insurance and resale problems later. Doing it right the first time protects you.

Do properties near water need extra approval?

Yes, often they do. Work near a lake, river, wetland, or floodplain may need conservation authority approval on top of your township permit. We identify these cases early and coordinate the reviews for you.