Engineering Division
Changing the Grading on Your Property

Any time you remove or add soil to your property you potentially are making a grading change.  Changes in grading can occur as a result of installing a fence, a retaining wall, an in-ground or above-ground pool, as well as performing new construction or making additions to existing structures.  Unless you are applying for a Pool Permit, you need to obtain a Grading and Clearing Permit from the Engineering Division any time you perform a grading change.

Prior to actually disturbing or bringing in soil, you need to file a Grading and Clearing Permit Application.  This application is available from the Engineering Division and has a fee of $50 per acre (minimum fee is $50).  You should attach to the application a survey of the property with the affected areas outlined and a topographic map showing existing and proposed contours.  If there are no adverse effects to either your property or your neighbor's property, and no other reason to deny the application (e.g., easements, wetlands, stream encroachment and/or other issues), your request will be approved.  If you are grading land in conjunction with the installation of a pool, then you do not need to obtain a separate Grading and Clearing Permit as long as you supply a grading plan with your Pool Permit application that you file with the Zoning Division.

All proposed changes to the land must be in compliance with Township Ordinances.  The minimum slope for lawns is 3/4 % (a one foot vertical change for every 133 feet horizontally).  The maximum slope is 10% for areas within five feet of a building (a 6-inch vertical drop is allowed within five feet).  Furthermore you may not raise the elevation of any point within five feet of a property line, and you may not raise any point within 15 feet of a property line an elevation of three feet or more.  Each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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