In Quebec City, there's digging going on pretty much everywhere: additions in established neighbourhoods, new developments on the outskirts, foundation work, yard landscaping. Every job site pulls dirt out of the ground, and that dirt has to go somewhere. On the other side, there are property owners with land to raise, a ditch to fill or a low spot to level, who are looking for exactly that: fill dirt to give away.
Terreadonner, a service of Groupe Eazyvrac, exists to connect the two. Whether you're in Charlesbourg, in Cap-Rouge or across the river in Lévis, here's what you need to know to give away or receive fill in the Quebec City area.
Why get (or give away) fill in Quebec City
For an excavator or a hauler, the name of the game is distance. Every kilometre between the job site and the drop-off spot is truck time. Finding nearby land that can take the surplus means more loads in a day and less time on the road.
For a property owner, receiving fill can serve several projects:
- raising land that's too low or poorly drained;
- filling a hole, an old ditch or a low spot;
- preparing a surface for future landscaping, a driveway or a parking area.
The materials moving on Terreadonner are fill dirt, blue clay, recycled asphalt, and crushed concrete and rock. You'll also find sand and stone. A quick note on clay: it drains poorly. It's fine for filling a hole, not for putting around the house.
Where to find a dirt drop-off in Quebec City and nearby
Quebec City has six boroughs, and job sites are running in every one of them:
- La Cité-Limoilou, with neighbourhoods like Saint-Sauveur, Lairet or Maizerets, where projects are often on tight lots;
- Les Rivières, with Vanier, Duberger-Les Saules and Neufchâtel Est–Lebourgneuf;
- Sainte-Foy–Sillery–Cap-Rouge, from the Plateau to Cap-Rouge;
- Charlesbourg, from Orsainville to Notre-Dame-des-Laurentides;
- Beauport, from the Vieux-Bourg to Chutes-Montmorency;
- La Haute-Saint-Charles, with Val-Bélair, Loretteville, Saint-Émile and Lac-Saint-Charles, where you'll find more large lots.
Around the city, the immediate neighbours are also in the zone: L'Ancienne-Lorette and Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures to the west, Boischatel to the east, and to the north the municipalities of the MRC de La Jacques-Cartier, like Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury, Lac-Beauport, Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, Shannon or Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier.
On the South Shore, Lévis is part of the same work area, with its boroughs Desjardins, Les Chutes-de-la-Chaudière-Est and Les Chutes-de-la-Chaudière-Ouest. Several excavators work on both sides of the river. On Terreadonner, a request in Lévis can interest someone digging in Quebec City, and vice versa.
Regulations (with caution)
Before receiving dirt, get informed. The rules change from one municipality to the next, and the landowner is responsible for what's done on their property.
Quebec City. An information sheet from the City on landscaping residential lots states that a certificate of authorization is required for fill or cut work over 100 m³. The same sheet points out that grading must direct surface water away from foundations. Since this document is for information only, contact Quebec City (regulations section of its website) before you start, especially if your land is subject to a servitude.
Lévis. On the City of Lévis website, cut or fill is listed among the work that requires a permit, and the City classifies it among the permits that can be issued quickly. A permit is also always required in a constraint zone (near a watercourse, flood zone, landslide risk, soil with low bearing capacity). Lévis's Service des permis et inspections is the place to start.
Neighbouring municipalities. Each town has its own bylaw. In Boischatel, for example, the municipal sheet indicates that fill is closely regulated and that a certificate of authorization is required in several cases. Elsewhere, a permit may be required depending on thickness and area; ask your municipality's planning department.
Agricultural zone. If your land is in an agricultural zone, the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec (CPTAQ) comes into play. According to a government brochure, the agricultural objective must stay front and centre, and it's up to the applicant to show that their deposit project meets the requirements of the law. Get information from the CPTAQ before accepting a single load.
Environment. Quebec's Ministry of the Environment (MELCCFP) also regulates the reuse of excavated soil. The receiver must know what they're receiving, and the sender what they're sending. If in doubt, contact the ministry's regional office.
Terreadonner.com: two simple paths
Receiver
Sign-up is free. You describe your land: access, driveway width, whether the ground is firm or not, any power lines or trees. The more precise your description, the easier it is for a truck to know if it can get there. Excavators in your area then see your request. On Terreadonner, there are free offers and paid offers: get informed and set your requirements before accepting a load.
Excavator / Hauler / Landscaper
You post your surplus: soil type, volume, site access, availability. Local receivers can find you that way. You can also do your own search among the lands that can take your material, whether in Quebec City, in Lévis or nearby.
Quick tips
- Look up. The Terreadonner team's experience: power lines above the planned spot, and the dump body can't be raised. No way to unload there.
- Do the math first. Also from our experience, a client who misjudges their needs and ends up with too much dirt can pay around $500 per truck to have it hauled back out.
- Think about the driveway. A 12-wheeler needs room to get in and manoeuvre.
- Give landmarks. On land with no address or in a new development, clearly describe how to get there.
- Stay flexible. An excavator often looks until the last minute for the spot closest to their job site. Confirm the same day.
FAQ
Do you need a permit to receive fill in Quebec City?
According to a City sheet, a certificate of authorization is required for fill or cut work over 100 m³ on a residential lot. Contact the City about your case.
And in Lévis?
The City of Lévis website lists cut or fill among the work that requires a permit. The Service des permis et inspections can guide you.
My land is in an agricultural zone. Can I receive dirt?
Possibly, but the CPTAQ has a say. Get information from it and from your municipality before any deposit.
Can I receive sand or stone?
Yes. On Terreadonner, all kinds of material move: fill dirt, blue clay, recycled asphalt, crushed concrete and rock, but also sand and stone. Specify what you want in your request.
How much does it cost to sign up as a receiver?
Sign-up is free.
Conclusion
Between Quebec City, Lévis and the surrounding municipalities, there's dirt looking for land and land waiting for dirt. With a clear description of your land or your surplus, you put all the odds on your side. Find out your municipality's rules, prepare your access, and launch your request.