CSA Z768 / Z769 O.Reg. 153/04 Free: No login

Environmental Requirements for Your Project

Every energy, construction, and industrial project has environmental requirements. Answer a few questions about your site and project scope: we'll identify exactly which assessments you need, what they cost, and coordinate them alongside your engineering work.

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Property
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Context
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Concerns
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Roadmap

Property Profile

Tell us about the property so we can identify applicable environmental requirements.

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Project Context

What type of project is driving this? Environmental requirements depend on your engineering scope, site conditions, and regulatory pathway.

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Environmental Concerns

Select all that apply. These help us identify specific assessments and regulatory pathways for your property.

Your Project's Environmental Requirements

Assessments identified for your project: coordinated alongside your engineering scope by RHEM Works.

One firm, one project scope. RHEM Works coordinates environmental requirements alongside your engineering project: electrical design, solar development, energy infrastructure, or construction. No need to manage separate environmental subconsultants. This tool provides general guidance based on common Canadian regulatory requirements. It is not legal advice. Specific obligations depend on your property history, applicable regulations, and municipal/conservation authority requirements. We recommend a scoping consultation to confirm requirements for your project.

Get Your Project Requirements Emailed

We'll send your environmental requirements summary with next steps and a quote for coordinating these alongside your engineering scope. Completely optional.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
A Phase I ESA is typically required for commercial or industrial property purchases, refinancing, changes in land use, or filing a Record of Site Condition (RSC) in Ontario. Most Canadian lenders require a Phase I ESA as part of their due diligence process. It identifies potential contamination through historical review and site inspection: no sampling is involved. Cost ranges from $2,500 to $10,000 in Ontario depending on property size and complexity.
When is a Phase II ESA required?
A Phase II ESA is required when a Phase I ESA identifies Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APECs): evidence suggesting soil or groundwater contamination may exist. It involves intrusive sampling (boreholes, monitoring wells, lab analysis) to confirm or deny contamination. It is mandatory under Ontario's O.Reg. 153/04 for filing a Record of Site Condition. Cost ranges from $7,000 to $60,000 depending on the number of boreholes and contaminant types.
How much does an Environmental Site Assessment cost in Ontario?
In Ontario, a Phase I ESA costs $2,500–$10,000 depending on property size and history complexity. A Phase II ESA costs $7,000–$60,000 depending on the number of boreholes, monitoring wells, and laboratory analysis required. A combined Phase I + Phase II for a standard commercial lot typically costs $12,000–$25,000. Additional costs may include risk assessment ($15,000–$150,000) and RSC filing ($1,000 MECP fee).
What is a Record of Site Condition (RSC)?
A Record of Site Condition is an Ontario regulatory instrument filed under O.Reg. 153/04 that documents the environmental condition of a property. It is required when changing property use to a more sensitive category (e.g., industrial to residential or parkland). The full RSC process includes Phase I ESA, Phase II ESA, risk assessment, and MECP filing. Total cost ranges from $50,000 to $200,000+ and can take 4 months to 2+ years for MECP approval.
Do I need a Stormwater Management Plan for my development?
Most Ontario municipalities and Conservation Authorities require a Stormwater Management (SWM) Plan for any new development, redevelopment, or significant site alteration. The plan must demonstrate that post-development runoff does not exceed pre-development levels. Cost ranges from $5,000 for small sites to $75,000+ for large developments. Engineering costs are typically 10% of the total SWM construction cost.
When is GHG reporting mandatory in Canada?
Facilities emitting 10,000+ tonnes CO2e annually must report to Environment and Climate Change Canada under CEPA. In Ontario, facilities emitting 25,000+ tCO2e must also report under O.Reg. 390/18. Facilities over 50,000 tCO2e are subject to Ontario's Emissions Performance Standards (EPS). Voluntary GHG reporting for smaller organizations typically costs $3,500–$15,000 for Scope 1+2 inventory.
What environmental assessments are needed for a property purchase?
For commercial or industrial property purchases, lenders typically require at minimum a Phase I ESA (CSA Z768). If contamination is identified, a Phase II ESA (CSA Z769) follows. For properties with known contamination, a risk assessment and remediation plan may be needed. If the property use is changing, an RSC may be required. Budget from $3,500 for a simple Phase I to $200,000+ for complex sites requiring the full RSC process.

Last updated: March 2026