What is it?
A Record of Site Condition (RSC) is a record, under Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act, that a professional has confirmed the land’s environmental condition suits a new use, filed on a government registry.
The Ontario government says that a property owner who wants to change the use to one more sensitive than the previous use must first have an RSC filed, with building houses on an old factory or dry cleaning site as an example.
When is it needed?
- The Environmental Protection Act prohibits changing land from industrial or commercial use to residential or parkland use before an RSC is filed (the exceptions are set out in the law).
- O. Reg. 153/04 says residential, parkland and institutional uses are “more sensitive” than industrial, commercial and community uses.
- The regulation sets out other changes of use that need an RSC, and there are exceptions.
How does it connect?
Filing an RSC usually needs a Phase I environmental assessment first. If contamination is possible, a Phase II study and clean-up may follow.
So anyone who wants to buy a repair shop, gas station, dry cleaner or factory site for redevelopment should check with a professional and a lawyer, before buying, whether an RSC is possible and what it would cost and how long it would take.
What the law and official sources say
Quotes are copied word for word. The "In plain words" lines are our explanation, not an official translation.
Subject to subsection (2), a person shall not, (a) change the use of a property from industrial or commercial use to residential or parkland use; (b) change the use of a property in a manner prescribed by the regulations; or (c) construct a building if the building will be used in connection with a change of use that is prohibited by clause (a) or (b).In plain wordsTo change industrial or commercial land to residential or parkland use, an RSC must first be filed for the property (apart from the exceptions in subsection (2) of the same section).
Source: ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e19 · checked Nov 2, 2026
A residential use, parkland use or institutional use is more sensitive than an industrial use, commercial use or community use.In plain wordsResidential, parkland and institutional uses are treated as more sensitive than industrial, commercial and community uses.
Source: ontario.ca/laws/regulation/040153 · checked Nov 2, 2026
If you are a property owner who wants to change the use of a property to a new use that is more sensitive than the previous use ( for example, building houses on an old factory or dry cleaning site), you must have an RSC filed in the ESR first.In plain wordsA property owner who wants to change to a more sensitive use (for example, building houses on an old factory or dry cleaning site) must first have an RSC filed in the Environmental Site Registry (ESR).
Source: ontario.ca/page/brownfields-redevelopment · checked Nov 2, 2026
Common questions
If I buy a factory or repair shop and keep using it, do I need an RSC?
This provision of the Environmental Protection Act is about changing the use to a more sensitive one. Ask a lawyer whether the law requires an RSC when the same industrial or commercial use continues. A lender may still ask for an environmental assessment.
Who applies for an RSC?
Usually the property owner, through a qualified person. Cost and time differ greatly with the condition of the land, so ask a professional for an estimate and the chances before you buy.
Guides that use this term
Sources checked
- Environmental Protection Act (Ontario) · checked Nov 2, 2026
- O. Reg. 153/04 · checked Nov 2, 2026
- Ontario, Brownfields redevelopment · checked Nov 2, 2026