The Ontario Building Code | Excavation to Undisturbed Soil
9.12.2.1. Excavation to Undisturbed soil
(1) Excavations for foundationsshall extend to undisturbed soil.
In Plain Language
A foundation must be excavated down to undisturbed soil as set out in this article, since building on loose or previously disturbed fill can lead to uneven settling.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.