In the City of Toronto, Bylaw 514-2008 requires undertaking a pre-construction inspection of adjacent buildings and structures within the zone of influence. Other municipalities may have similar bylaws. The Toronto bylaw defines the acceptable limits for vibrations resulting from construction activities. Among other requirements, the “Pre-construction inspection of adjacent buildings and structures within the zone of influence to identify existing cracks in walls, floors, and exterior cladding of the first two storeys above grade and interior finishes of all storeys below grade in sufficient detail to facilitate comparison of pre-construction and post-construction condition.” Where appropriate, mitigation and monitoring programs are required.
 
Members should be familiar with this bylaw and its impact on requirements for general review. While most of the activities likely to produce vibrations that need to be monitored will occur in connection with larger projects, they are not exclusive to larger projects, and the vibration levels will be affected by soils types.
 
Even where there is no bylaw requirement, members may consider it prudent to recommend that clients consider doing pre- and post-construction surveys of adjacent properties to preclude neighbours from claiming that the work caused damage to their property.