The purpose of the Phase/Stage II environmental site assessment (ESA) is to presents factors that govern the decision process in determining the level of environmental management required at a site. A Phase/Stage II ESA is typically conducted: when recommended by Phase/Stage I ESA or transaction screening process; to understand the present site conditions of the property before renting or leasing; to determine existing levels of contamination, or is required by a government authority or lender over concerns of off-site contamination.

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A Phase/Stage II ESA includes: reviewing previous environmental assessments that have been conducted on the property and adjacent properties, conducting an intrusive investigation using invasive techniques, which may include drilling boreholes, digging test pits, collecting of samples (soil, groundwater, or soil vapour) to determine the concentration of the suspected contaminate, and submit a factual report.