Servicing Agreements

If you need to have municipal services extended or changed for a development in St. Catharines, you need to apply for a servicing agreement. A servicing agreement is a legal agreement that's required if a property does not have direct access to a required municipal service such as sanitary or storm sewers, watermains or opened roadways. The agreement helps to ensure the proper set up of municipal services as per both City and provincial standards.

Applying for a servicing agreement

Before you apply, make sure to know the applicable land use regulations and the municipal services that are available. The developer's consultants and engineers will need to prepare a preliminary design proposal for the developer and identify any development constraints.

Application requirements

If you're the developer or property owner, you must send a letter that requests a servicing agreement with the City as part of developing a site. Please refer to our Rates and Fees Guide for payment of fees.

What do I need to include?

You must include a cost estimate for the proposed works as well as drawings prepared and stamped by a Professional Engineer who's registered in Ontario. We will review the drawings and request any additional information and/or revisions as necessary. You will be advised if you need approvals from outside agencies, such as the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of the Environment, Niagara Region, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, and Niagara Escarpment Commission.

What are the next steps?

We will prepare a draft agreement for your review and endorsement. Once the servicing agreement is signed, you have the correct approvals and include all fees, the agreement will be presented to City council for approval. Once approved, our legal staff will register the agreement on title. There will also be a pre-construction meeting with City staff and the developer, property owner and agent, as well as any consultants, engineers and contractors

When is the securities deposit released?

We will determine the securities and inspection deposit amounts based on the cost estimate and scope of work. The securities may be released 45 days after the development's completion and the receipt of a statutory declaration. Once the project is completed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, including all reinstatement works, securities are held for a one-year maintenance period. This starts on the day of completion. After the one-year maintenance period has expired, the City Engineer will re-inspect the project and the remaining securities released on their approval.