Regulations and Best Practices for
Excess Soil Management in Ontario
Guidance and resources to support compliant and sustainable soil management under Ontario regulation.
Ontario Regulation 406/19 was brought into force on December 4, 2019 under the Environmental Protection Act, establishing requirements for on‑site and excess soil management to protect human health and the environment. This framework guides soil excavation, transportation, reuse and temporary storage.
Best Practices for Industry
ONEIA in collaboration with sector Steering Committees has developed best practices under the new regulations and rules for the following three areas:
Hauling
Temporary Sites
Qualified Persons
Guidance on record keeping, load tracking and transportation protocols.
Operational measures for storing soil while awaiting reuse.
Why a professional geoscientist or engineer is required to prepare plans and confirm compliance.
Ontario Ministry of the Environment Excess Soils Portal
Backgrounder and links to all Ministry Documents on Excess Soil and related articles including waste soils, and additional links
Ontario Regulation 406/19: On-Site and Excess Soil Management
Link to full regulation as legislated under the Environment Protection Act
Rules for Soil Management and Excess Soil Quality Standards
This document includes both “Soil Rules” and “Excess Soil Standards” and must be read alongside the regulation.
Ministry Fact Sheets
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks provides official resources and fact sheets to support interpretation and implementation of excess soil requirements.
- Fact sheet 1 – Excess soil management and reuse requirements for project areas: contains regulatory requirements for on-site management of excavated soil or crushed rock, and the management and reuse of excess soil from project areas
- Fact sheet 2 – Bringing excess soil to a reuse site: contains regulatory requirements for importing excess soil to a reuse site
- Fact sheet 3 – Excess soil transportation: contains the regulatory requirements for transporting excess soil
- Appendix A – Excess soil definitions: contains a list of definitions and commonly used terminology
Ministry Webinar Slides
Watch or download technical presentations that walk through key elements of excess soil regulations and practice.
Ministry of the Environment Regulations and Resources
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks provides official resources and fact sheets to support interpretation and implementation of excess soil requirements.