As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
RETAINING WALLS
A structure designed and constructed to provide the lateral
resistance necessary to prevent horizontal movement of the vertical
plane of a mass of soil and which acts as an opposing element to the
tendency of the soil to displace laterally to form a natural slope.
Notwithstanding the above provisions, the use
of terracing whereby a series of two or more parallel retaining walls
are constructed behind one another with stabilized embankment slopes
between them shall be limited as follows:
A. The horizontal offset distance between the back of
a lower wall and the front of an upper wall for two adjacent walls
shall not be less than the vertical distance measured from, the finished
grade at the bottom of the lower wall to the finished grade at the
bottom of the upper wall.
B. The embankment slope between the lower and upper wall
shall not be steeper than two horizontal to one vertical and shall
be stabilized.
Notwithstanding the above provisions, any retaining
wall over four feet in height and any terracing utilizing retaining
walls where the summation of the heights of each retaining wall utilized
exceeds four feet in height shall be required to be designed by a
licensed professional engineer registered in the State of New Jersey.
In addition, details and design calculations shall be submitted to
and approved by the Borough Engineer prior to the issuance of a building
permit. The design calculations and details shall include and address
but not be limited to:
A. Materials being used for the retaining wall and backfill.
C. Frictional resistance and passive soil pressures acting
on the wall with their magnitude and location.
D. All lateral forces and their magnitude and location
that can occur on the wall.
The New Jersey Uniform Construction Code shall
govern the design and construction of the wall (current B.O.C.A. Code).
In the event that the retaining wall is part
of the site work of a one- or two-family dwelling being constructed,
the plans and specifications for the retaining wall shall be part
of the overall construction permit.