E-Designation

What is an E-Designation?

A property with an E-designation means that, as a consequence of a zoning action, a property has environmental requirements relating to air, noise or hazardous materials that must be investigated and addressed before an owner can obtain a building permit for the property's redevelopment.

OER manages three E-designations:

  • Hazardous materials: This will require soil testing, and if contamination is confirmed, a remedial action plan must be approved by OER before development can proceed, and the plan must be implemented to the satisfaction of OER before occupancy is allowed.
  • Noise: This will require the installation of a specific window/wall attenuation and alternate means of ventilation. A remedial action plan must be approved by OER before development can proceed, and the plan must be implemented to the satisfaction of OER before occupancy is allowed.
  • Air: This requirement may limit the boiler fuel to natural gas or specify location of the boiler stack. A remedial action plan must be approved by OER before development can proceed, and the plan must be implemented to the satisfaction of OER before occupancy is allowed.

What is a Restrictive Declaration?

A document a property owner records against title that binds current and future site owners to undertake any required testing and remediation as part of the proposed development of a building.

What is the E-Designation/Restrictive Declaration Program?

An OER remedial program under which an owner or developer addresses environmental requirements before a building permit can be issued and a certificate of occupancy obtained.