[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Brick 5-26-2009 by Ord. No. 31-09.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land use — See Ch. 245.
Sewers — See Ch. 352.
Soil removal and filling — See Ch. 383.
Streets and sidewalk — See Ch. 404.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance repealed former Ch. 168, Engineering Standards, adopted 9-23-1980 by Ord. No. 407-80 (Ch. 138 of the 1989 Code), as amended.
[Amended 3-10-2020 by Ord. No. 2-20]
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in Chapter 245, Land Use, of the Code of the Township of Brick, none of the following categories of improvements shall be constructed or installed in the Township of Brick without first obtaining a permit from the Department of Engineering:
(1) 
Grading and clearing.
(2) 
Bulkheads/docks/piers.
(3) 
Soil removal/filling: Chapter 383.
(4) 
Streets and sidewalks (road openings): Chapter 404.
(5) 
Commercial parking lot improvements, in accordance with:
(a) 
Chapter 191, Fire Prevention;
(b) 
Chapter 245, Land Use;
(c) 
Chapter 306, Parking; and
(d) 
Chapter 396, Stormwater Management.
(6) 
Dredging.
[Added 3-14-2023 by Ord. No. 2-23
B. 
The Township Engineer shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and all applicable reference chapters by issuing required permits and addressing those violations arising out of the failure of any person or entity to apply for and obtain required permits. He shall, from time to time, upon his own initiative or whenever directed by the Township, inspect the premises for which permits have been granted to ensure compliance with the terms of the permit and of the chapter. He shall report all violations and take any action deemed necessary for proper enforcement.
A. 
Application fees.
(1) 
All engineering permit applications shall be accompanied by a fee as indicated on the applicable application form or as described in the applicable sections of the chapter. The fees will be utilized for plan review, inspection and any other activity necessary to process the application.
(2) 
If a permit is denied or withdrawn, no refund of fees will be permitted.
B. 
Inspection fees. Inspection escrow accounts may be established to cover the costs of inspections for certain improvements as indicated on the applicable application forms or as described in the applicable sections of the chapter.
C. 
Performance guaranties. Performance guaranties may be required for certain improvements as indicated on the applicable application forms or as described in the applicable sections of the chapter. The Township Engineer shall make a determination as to when performance guaranties are required in light of the scope and nature of the work to be completed and to calculate the appropriate amount to cover any damages to the Township.
A. 
Permit required. The clearing of fewer than 10 trees over nine inches in caliper, or the alteration of the existing grade on a lot in which the area of disturbance is less than two acres will require a permit from the Township Engineer or his representative and shall meet the requirements set forth in this section. The clearing of 10 trees or more over nine inches in caliper or the alteration of the existing grade on a lot in which the area of disturbance is two acres or more shall be in accordance with a plan approved by the Planning Board and shall meet the requirements of all applicable sections of the chapter. This provision shall not apply to clearing and grading necessary for the construction of one single-family house unless that construction is incidental to an application that is otherwise before the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, in which case such Board may impose requirements as set forth in this chapter where practicable. All such applications for a single-family house are to conform to the requirements of § 245-29 concerning submission of plot plans.
[Amended 3-10-2020 by Ord. No. 2-20]
(1) 
No tree located on a lot having a caliper of more than nine inches measured at a height of 12 inches from the finished or existing grade level shall be removed unless such removal is approved by the Township Engineer and a grading and clearing permit is issued.
(a) 
All trees to be saved should be clearly tagged and inspected by the Township Engineer or his designee, and the clearing limit line should be delineated by a snow fence or other markings per the Township Engineer's requirements prior to the issuance of the permit for clearing and grading.
(b) 
For each tree over nine inches in caliper that is removed, the applicant shall prepare a replanting scheme on other treeless portions of the property. The resulting amount of plantings should be one per every 2,000 square feet of property left without trees after the proposed clearing is completed.
(c) 
The Township Engineer may also require that if the site to be cleared does not permit the replanting of the trees that are to be cut down on the site, an off-site tract may be selected for such replanting, and a replanting plan shall be prepared by the applicant, compensating for the tree removal in an amount based on one tree per every 2,000 square feet of property left without trees after the proposed clearing is completed. All trees and the types of trees and the method of planting shall be in accordance with the applicable sections of the Land Use Development Regulations of the Code of the Township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 245, Land Use.
(d) 
In lieu of the replanting requirement specified above, the applicant shall pay a sum to be determined by the Township for the amount of trees as in Subsection A(1)(b) and (c), above not replanted into a dedicated Township account designated "the Brick Township Tree Bank Account." Any funds deposited in said account shall be utilized by the Township for the express purpose of planting trees at sites and locations to be determined by the Township Engineer, upon proper authorization from the governing body.
(2) 
Where possible, land shall be graded so that all stormwater runoff from each lot shall drain directly to the street. If impossible to drain directly to the street, it shall be drained to a system of interior yard drainage designed in accordance with the requirements of the subdivision provisions or as otherwise required by the Township Engineer. There shall be no change in grade within five feet of a property line. Furthermore, there shall be no change in grade greater than three feet within 15 feet from the property line. When necessary, a swale shall be created in order to control surface runoff in a manner that will protect abutting lands. All grading shall be subject to inspections by the Township Engineer during, and upon completion of the construction.
(3) 
Unless otherwise required by the Township Engineer, all tree stumps, masonry and other obstructions shall be removed to a depth of two feet below existing or finished grade, whichever is lower.
(4) 
All soil removal or filling shall further conform to all requirements of Chapter 383, Soil Removal and Filling.
(5) 
All fill material and/or topsoil shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 383, Soil Removal and Filling.
(6) 
The minimum slope for lawns shall be 1.5% and for smooth, hard-finished surfaces other than roadways, 1/2 of 1% (0.5%).
(7) 
The maximum grade for lawns within five feet of a building shall be 10%, and for lawns more than five feet from a building, 25%.
(8) 
Retaining walls. The Township's requirements on retaining walls shall include the following:
(a) 
A permit is required prior to the start of construction on any retaining wall over eight inches tall at its highest point which was not specifically shown on an approved subdivision plan, site plan or plot plan. Each such retaining wall application shall include sealed engineering drawings, including plans, cross sections and design calculations.
(b) 
As per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14(g), a permit is also needed from the Construction Department for the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition, of any retaining wall or walls which will have an impact on the foundation of a structure.
(c) 
An approved safety barrier shall be required in all cases where the wall is more than 30 inches tall (at the highest point), subject to the Engineer's review. Furthermore, an approved safety barrier shall be required in wall systems containing a series of two or more walls as determined in the course of the Engineer's safety review. A "safety barrier" shall be defined for the purposes of this section as an artificial barrier, not to include landscaping, which will prevent a child from penetrating through to the other side of the barrier. Specifications for safety barriers shall be as follows:
[1] 
A safety barrier shall be at least four feet high.
[2] 
A safety barrier shall be constructed of approved materials in a manner that will prevent a child from penetrating it.
[3] 
A safety barrier shall be located at the outer edge at the top of the wall along its entire length.
[4] 
In addition, in cases where a retaining wall is located close to the edge or edges of a driveway, other barriers such as guide rails may be required, subject to the Engineer's review.
(d) 
Upon completion of the construction of any retaining wall over 30 inches, the owner or developer may be required to submit a statement from a licensed professional engineer certifying that the wall was constructed in accordance with the engineering design.
(9) 
The developer, builder or owner shall take all necessary precautions to prevent siltation of water bodies during construction. If required as a condition of an approved site plan or preliminary plat or by the Township Engineer during construction, the developer shall provide acceptable provisions to prevent all deposition of silt or other eroded material in any watercourse. Such provisions may include, but are not limited to, construction and maintenance of siltation basins or holding ponds throughout the course of construction.
B. 
Permit fees.
(1) 
The application fee will be as indicated on the "Application for Grading and Clearing Permit" form.
(2) 
In addition, plan review fees and performance bonds may be required contingent upon the magnitude of the work proposed.
(3) 
In addition to engineering fees, fees for retaining walls requiring Construction Department approval are subject to fees as required by the Construction Department fee schedule.
C. 
Enforcement. The Township Engineer shall enforce the provisions of this section including, but not limited to, those violations arising out of the failure of any person or entity to apply for and obtain a grading and/or clearing permit. He shall, from time to time, upon his own initiative, or whenever directed by the Township, inspect the premises for which permits have been granted to ensure compliance with the terms of the permit. He shall report all violations and take any action deemed necessary for proper enforcement.
D. 
Revocation of permit; violations and penalties. After notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Township Engineer, the permit of any person may be revoked or suspended for such period as the Township Engineer may determine for any violation of the terms hereof or the terms and conditions of any permit granted hereunder. In addition to the revocation provided for herein, any person who violates this section or any director or officer of a corporation who participates in a violation of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a maximum fine of $2,500, or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days, or both. Each and every day that such violation continues or exists shall be considered a separate and specific violation of these provisions and not as a continuing offense.
A. 
No person, firm or corporation shall:
(1) 
Begin to or continue to dig, pump out or construct a boat basin, boat docking facility, lagoon, stream, channel, marina or other area where natural earth is moved and water substituted therefor, in whole or in part, unless and until a engineering permit is obtained for such digging, pumping or construction, including the proper bulkheading of the said basin, facility, lagoon, stream, channel, marina or area, from this municipality, through its Township Engineer, and which engineering permit shall include the construction of bulkheading as hereinafter provided. The Township Engineer may issue said permit for and on behalf of the Township when proper application has been made therefor, proper plan thereof submitted with application and correct fee paid for engineering permit.
(2) 
Construct a boat basin, boat docking facility, bulkhead, dock, pier, boat lift, or other water use structure, in whole or in part, unless and until an engineering permit is obtained for such construction from this municipality, through its Township Engineer, and which engineering permit shall include the construction as hereinafter provided.
(3) 
Use any boat basin, boat docking facility, bulkhead, dock, pier, boat lift, stream, lagoon, channel, marina or other area referred to in either of the two preceding subsections, unless and until the said engineering permit therefor has been issued and has been therefor paid, and the construction of the improvement covered by the engineering permit has been completely constructed, and the said construction inspected and approved by the municipality through its Township Engineer.
(4) 
Proceed to do any of the acts mentioned in the three preceding subsections until the applicant has made a written application to the municipality, through its Engineering Department, for a permit to construct said items as the applicant may desire to construct, and shall have paid the proper fees for construction.
(5) 
Pump, truck or otherwise transport any of the sand, soil, mud or other earth dug in or from Brick Township in connection with any of the projects covered by this chapter to any other municipality or place outside Brick Township.
(6) 
Construct or use such a boat basin, boat docking facility, stream, lagoon, channel, marina or other area in any zone where same is not permitted by the zoning[1] or other ordinance or ordinances of the municipality.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 245, Part 2, Zoning.
(7) 
Fail, neglect or refuse to get a use permit from the Board of Adjustment or Planning Board for construction or operation, or both, where necessary under the zoning or other ordinance or ordinances of municipality.
(8) 
Fail, neglect or refuse to get a permit from the NJDEP for the construction of any waterfront improvement, the permit of which would be required prior to issuance of an engineering permit.
(9) 
Have the soil and water or either pumped out or removed from the basin, facility, stream, channel, marina or other area in such a manner that the surface of the area where the residue of said pumping or removal is placed shall properly drain and so that such pumping or removal shall not cause or permit water to stand or pond thereon to be the cause of blocking the other drainage of lands in the immediate vicinity of such pumping, removal or placing of residue.
B. 
Plans required.
(1) 
Two copies of plans shall be submitted to the Township Engineer to accompany any permit application for new bulkheads, docks, piers, boat lifts or the construction of any other improvement within a boat basin, boat docking facility, lagoon, stream, channel or any other water body. The plan shall be utilized to review the project for compliance with all applicable Township and state requirements.
(2) 
The Township Engineer will review the submitted documents and either disapprove or approve the submitted plan. The applicant will be notified if any revisions are required. If approved, the Township Engineer will issue a permit.
(3) 
Each plan shall be drawn to scale (not less than one inch equals 50 feet), signed and sealed by a professional, as defined in N.J.A.C. 13:40-7.3, licensed to practice in the State of New Jersey or a manufacturer's construction detail illustrating products to be used (size, weight, length, etc.) for individual site conditions provided by a representative of the site contractor and shall be no smaller than 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches.
(4) 
Plans shall include the information outlined on the bulkhead/dock checklist provided with the application form.
C. 
Standards for construction of bulkheads, docks, piers and other structures.
[Amended 3-10-2020 by Ord. No. 2-20]
(1) 
Shallow-water or deep-water bulkheads.
(a) 
Bulkheads shall be designed either for shallow-water bulkhead or deep-water bulkhead, as the case in point may necessitate. Sheeting shall be timber, vinyl, or other acceptable material designed and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
(b) 
The particular circumstances, conditions and nature of the project in question, when taken into consideration with the designs for the shallow-water bulkheads and deep-water bulkheads aforesaid, shall and will govern which type of bulkhead should and must be used in a given circumstance. If any question arises as to the type of bulkhead to be constructed in a given area, the Township shall make the final determination through its Engineering Inspector, and, upon written application, the municipality will furnish any applicant with a written determination upon the applicant filing a proper application for a permit and paying the proper fee as provided in this chapter.
(2) 
All timber used, except as noted below, shall be new and unused Douglas fir, Southern yellow pine, cypress, cedar or oak.
(3) 
Treated piling, wales, sheet piling, and decking shall be Douglas fir, Southern yellow pine or cypress.
(4) 
Sheet piling shall be tongue and groove.
(5) 
Anchor piles and anchor logs may be untreated oak or pine.
(6) 
All piles and timber shall be to the plan dimensions shown on the designs for said items.
(7) 
All hardware used in the construction shall be new, unused and galvanized. All such hardware shall be to the dimensions shown in the respective designs.
(8) 
All bulkheads shall be erected true to lines and grades shown in the application for a permit and in said permit and shall be properly backfilled so they will remain firm and in place.
(9) 
All bulkheads shall be constructed in a thoroughly good workmanlike manner.
(10) 
All bulkheads shall be constructed with a minimum top of sheet/cap elevation of 4.0 in the 1988 NAVD Vertical Datum.
D. 
Maintenance of existing docks, bulkheads, piers and lifts.
[Added 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. 25-14]
(1) 
All docks or bulkheads which are or hereafter shall become unsafe, which constitute a fire hazard or which are otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare shall be deemed a nuisance. All docks or bulkheads shall be repaired, removed, demolished or made safe and secure, as the Township may deem necessary.
(2) 
If a dock or bulkhead is found to constitute a nuisance as aforesaid, the Township shall cause to be served on the owner, agent or person in control of the dock or bulkhead a written notice describing the dock or bulkhead deemed a nuisance and specifying the required repairs or improvements to be made or requiring said dock or bulkhead or applicable portion thereof to be removed or demolished within 15 days of receipt of notice.
(3) 
If the person addressed with notice aforesaid cannot be found within the Township after diligent search, then such notice shall be sent by certified mail to the last known address of such person, and a copy of the notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises, and such procedure shall be deemed the equivalent of personal notice.
(4) 
The refusal or neglect of the owner or person served with an unsafe notice to comply with the requirements of the order to correct or abate the nuisance shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
[Added 3-14-2023 by Ord. No. 2-23]
A. 
This section of the Township of Brick Code is applicable to any person or entity wishing to engage in dredging and/or material disposal in accordance with the Township's New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Army Corp of Engineers maintenance dredging authorizations. Any and all dredging that exceeds these Township authorizations shall require individual permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Army Corp of Engineers.
B. 
Brick Township's dredging permits cover dredging beyond five feet from existing bulkheads to a maximum depth of negative five feet mean low water (plus one foot over dredge allowance).
C. 
No person, firm or corporation shall begin to or continue to dig, pump out or dispose of soil material from a boat basin, boat docking facility, lagoon, stream, channel, bay, marina or other area where earth is moved and water substituted therefor for increased water area or depth, in whole or in part, unless and until an engineering permit is obtained for such digging, pumping, transporting and disposal of dredge material.
D. 
Use of the Township's infrastructure to execute a dredging plan is contingent on:
(1) 
Submittal and approval of plan to the office of the Township Engineer.
(2) 
Contractor performance bond and insurance.
E. 
A dredging engineering permit application shall be filed by a contractor meeting the qualifications outlined herein. No permit shall be issued to an individual, company or corporation not meeting said qualifications.
(1) 
Contractor (legal name and address);
(2) 
A valid NJ business registration;
(3) 
Certificate of insurance ($1,000,000 minimum with the property owner and the Township of Brick listed as additional insured);
(4) 
Contractors shall provide a summary of three similar projects performed within the past three years, including a description of the project, work performed, and details of the owner. The statement of prior experience/qualifications shall include:
(a) 
Number of years dredging business as prime contractor.
(b) 
Complete equipment list (owned/leased/rented).
(c) 
Project list (last three years).
(d) 
Permit compliance statement (three years).
(e) 
List any violations on contracted projects.
(f) 
Safety record, OSHA 300 log, EMR for past three years.
F. 
Applications to dredge shall include the following minimum information:
(1) 
Permit application signed by property owner and contractor.
(2) 
Plan showing:
(a) 
Area to be dredged;
(b) 
Square footage of area to be dredged;
(c) 
Existing depth to bottom; and
(d) 
Proposed depth to bottom.
(3) 
Permit fee ($400 per residential property, $11,000 per commercial property plus inspection fees in accordance with § 168-4.1G).
(4) 
Proposed project schedule.
(5) 
Proposed dredge material disposal/reuse location.
(a) 
Include location map and letter of acceptance for dredged material.
(b) 
Trucking route (if required).
(6) 
Certificate of insurance.
(a) 
One million dollars minimum liability coverage.
(b) 
Name property owner and Township of Brick as an additional insured.
(7) 
Statement of prior experience/qualifications.
(a) 
Include number of years dredging business as prime contractor.
(b) 
Complete equipment list (owned/leased/rented).
(8) 
Project list (last three years).
(9) 
Permit compliance statement (three years).
(a) 
List any violations on contracted projects.
(b) 
Safety record, OSHA 300 log, EMR for past three years.
(10) 
Proposed Township facility to be utilized.
(a) 
Name (if applicable).
(b) 
Address.
(c) 
Site layout/dimensions required.
(d) 
Performance bond for Township infrastructure utilized.
(e) 
Engineer's estimate for bulkhead, drainage, pavement, and any other utilities in the area that could be damaged (to be calculated by the Township).
(f) 
Dated video inspection before (provided prior to work activities) and after work activities.
G. 
Inspection fees.
(1) 
Nonrefundable inspection fees shall be posted in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) 
Zero to 50 cubic yards: $5 per cubic yard.
(b) 
Fifty-one to 500 cubic yards: $4 per cubic yard.
(c) 
Five hundred one to 2,000 cubic yards: $3 per cubic yard.
(d) 
Two thousand one or more cubic yards: $2 per cubic yard.
(2) 
Dredge volumes of 5,000 cubic yards or greater shall also require a post-dredge hydrographic survey.
H. 
Additional information required for utilizing Township facilities (street end bulkheads, NJDOT dredge hole 25, Township property, etc.).
(1) 
Proposed facility to be utilized.
(a) 
Name (if applicable).
(b) 
Address.
(c) 
Site layout/dimensions required:
[1] 
Elevations and locations of bulkhead and storm structures (0.05 foot, plus or minus).
[2] 
Bathymetry at street end (available from Township).
[3] 
Pavement elevations.
[4] 
Locations of aboveground and underground utilities (based on utility mark-out).
[5] 
Right-of-way location.
[6] 
Equipment/staging location.
[7] 
Method/detail of bulkhead protection.
[8] 
Method of road, curb sidewalk, storm inlet/outfall protection (as needed).
(d) 
Performance bond (covers Township infrastructure utilized).
(e) 
Township Engineer's estimate for bulkhead, drainage, pavement, sidewalk, and any other utilities in the area that could be damaged.
(f) 
Dated video inspection before and after work activities. This must be provided prior to the commencement of work .
(2) 
Work at street ends limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
(3) 
Consideration for the use of Township property is independent of any decisions made at any and all other locations and any and all other times. Each circumstance is unique and the factors which the Township considered are as determined necessary by the Township.
(4) 
Post-construction as-built drawing requirement for Township-owned facilities, including the following information:
(a) 
Elevation and location of bulkhead and storm sewer structures.
(b) 
Pavement elevations.
(c) 
Bathymetry at street end.
(5) 
Contractor assumes responsibility to assure requested facility meets contractor project requirements.
Any person, partnership, association, corporation or firm found to be in violation of this chapter shall be subject to a maximum fine of $2,000, or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days, or both. Each day of such violation's continuance shall be considered as a separate violation and shall be separately punishable. The penalties aforesaid shall be in addition to such other remedies as may be available to the Township of Brick in the event of a violation of this chapter.
[Added 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. 25-14]
The Construction Official, the Chief of Police and Township Engineer or their assigned designees shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this chapter.