[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Dravosburg 11-22-2005 by Ord. No. 05-05. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 120.
Floodplain management — See Ch. 158.
Sewers — See Ch. 237.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 261.
Zoning — See Ch. 310.
From and after the effective date of this chapter, the following regulations shall be in full force and effect. The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the people at large and are designed to encourage the establishment and maintenance of reasonable community standards to physical environment.
This chapter shall be cited as the "Borough of Dravosburg Grading, Excavating and Filling Ordinance."
The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard persons and property, to protect and to promote the public welfare by preventing excess erosion, hazardous rock and soil slippage, sedimentation and other soil and water management problems and by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use, location and maintenance of grading, excavation and fill, including the prohibition of hazardous and solid waste as fill.
No person shall construct, enlarge, alter or repair any grading, excavation or fill except in full compliance with all provisions of this chapter and after the lawful issuance of all permits required by this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to undertake, cause, endeavor or in any manner to excavate, cut, fill or grade any land within the Borough of Dravosburg without an approved permit issued by the designated officer.
Neither the issuance of a permit under the provisions of this chapter, nor compliance with its provisions, nor conformance with conditions required by any such permit shall relieve any person from liability for damage resulting from grading, nor attach any liability upon the Borough for damages to persons or property.
Wherever used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning indicated:
BEDROCK
The natural rock layer, hard or soft, in place at ground surface or beneath unconsolidated surface deposits.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Dravosburg.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
The person officially appointed by the Borough of Dravosburg to enforce this chapter.
COUNCIL
The governing body of the Borough of Dravosburg.
ENGINEER
A professional engineer, surveyor or architect who is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
A person who holds a degree in geology from an accredited college or university and who has training and experience in the field of engineering geology.
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice or gravity, including such processes as gravitational creep.
EXCAVATION
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
FILL
An act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material is deposited, placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location, including the material being deposited and the condition resulting from such act.
GRADING
An excavation or fill or any combination thereof, including the conditions resulting from any excavation or fill.
GRADING PERMIT
The permit required by these regulations.
HAZARD
A danger or potential danger to life, limb, or health, or any adverse effect or potential adverse effect to the safety, use or stability of property, waterways, public ways, structures, utilities and storm sewers, including stream pollution.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
As defined by the Solid Waste Management Act, 35 P.S. § 6018.103, as any material which may:
A. 
Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in morbidity in either an individual or the total population; or
B. 
Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed.
PERSON
A person, partnership, corporation, trust or association.
SITE
A lot, tract, parcel of land or series of lots, tracts, or parcels of land which are adjoining where grading work is continuous and performed at the same time.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, is being transported or has been moved from its site of origin by air, water, gravity or ice and has come to rest on the earth's surface either above or below water level.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which sediment is deposited on stream bottoms.
SOIL ENGINEER
A person registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a professional engineer and who has training and experience in soils engineering.
SOIL SURVEY
The unpublished and operational soil survey for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and the accompanying text Soil Survey Maps and Interpretations for Developing Areas in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, as prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation Services, et al.
SOLID WASTE
All parts or combinations of ashes, garbage, refuse, radioactive material, combustible demolition materials and industrial wastes such as food-processing wastes, wood, plastic, metal scrap and all other material which is not earth, soil, gravel, stone, rock and bedrock.
WATERCOURSE
A natural drainage route or channel for the flow of water.
A grading permit must be obtained from the Building Official for new grading, excavations and fills. Changes, additions or alterations to existing excavation or fills shall conform to the provisions of these regulations. A separate grading permit shall be required for each site. One permit may cover any grading, excavating and fills made on the same site.
A. 
Only one permit is required for a continuous parcel to be graded for a proposed planned development, such as a planned residential development, subdivision or land development, when adequate standards or requirements for grading the parcel are approved by the Building Official.
B. 
When grading is to be performed for and executed concurrently with the construction of a new building, a separate grading permit will be required.
A grading permit will not be required for any of the following situations:
A. 
Minor grading operations where neither the cut or fill exceeds a vertical change of three feet, but not if the Building Official determines that the possibility of erosion and sedimentation exists.
B. 
Grading limited to reasonable, regular, normal maintenance and landscaping improvements by individual homeowners, where standards herein are not violated.
C. 
Stockpiling of rock, sand and aggregate in areas properly zoned for such use.
D. 
For the construction of a single-family or two-family structure which is located on a lot within a plan that has received final approval in accordance with municipal subdivision regulations, but only if grading erosion and sedimentation control measures have been and are being employed in accordance with the approved grading plan and specifications for the plot.
E. 
For temporary excavation below finished grade for basements, additions to existing structures, swimming pools or accessory structures for which a building permit has been issued, but not if the Building Official determines that the possibility of erosion and sedimentation exists.
No grading permit shall be issued unless an application has been submitted, reviewed and approved in accordance with the following provisions:
A. 
The application for a grading permit shall be filed with the Building Official and shall be accompanied by the following fees to cover the cost of the review:
(1) 
Fees.
(a) 
Application processing fee: $50
(b) 
Permit fee:
[1] 
Zero to 50 cubic yards: $1 per cubic yard.
[2] 
Fifty to 100 cubic yards: $0.50 per cubic yard.
[3] 
One hundred cubic yards or greater: $0.25 per cubic yard.
(2) 
The maximum permit fee to be charged under this chapter shall not exceed $10,000.
(3) 
Following are two examples utilizing the above fees:
Example 1: 200 cubic yards
1st 50 cubic yards
$50
($1/cubic yard)
next 50 cubic yards
$25
($0.50/cubic yard)
last 100 cubic yards
$25
($0.25/cubic yard)
+ application processing fee
$50
total fees
$150
Example 2: 1,000 cubic yards
1st 50 cubic yards
$50
($1/cubic yard)
next 50 cubic yards
$25
($0.50/cubic yard)
last 900 cubic yards
$225
($0.25/cubic yard)
+ application processing fee
$50
total fees
$350
B. 
Three copies of the grading plan and all required reports and specifications shall be submitted to the Building Official. One complete set of plans shall be kept at the site while work is in progress.
C. 
Where any natural watercourse which is under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Dams and Encroachments, may be affected by proposed excavations of fills along the banks of the watercourse or any culvert or bridge or by a change in a direction or by adjacent construction, the applicant must present, as a part of his or her application, the permit and the letter of comments from the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Dams and Encroachments.
D. 
Submission to County Conservation Protection District.
(1) 
Plans and specifications above shall be submitted to the Allegheny County Conservation District for approval before submission to the Building Official when:
(a) 
The excavation or fill exceeds five feet in vertical depth, which results in a cut or fill slope steeper than four horizontal to one vertical and exceeds an area of 1,000 square feet from areas recognized by the County Soil Survey as containing landslide-prone soils.
(b) 
In the event that the applicant deems it necessary to exceed the slopes of cut and fill as recommended in the Soil Survey or by the Allegheny County Conservation District, said applicant may do so only when the design is certified by a soils engineer or engineering geologist. However, in no case shall the slopes be greater than specified in § 163-17A.
(2) 
The Building Official shall not issue a grading permit without the required approvals from the Allegheny County Conservation District or until no less than 30 days have passed from the date of submission to said District.
A. 
The application shall consist of not less than three copies of a letter of application, together with not less than three prints of each drawing submitted to show how resulting erosion and sediment shall be controlled. The proposed grading plan shall be prepared by a licensed engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect in accordance with standard engineering practices to clearly indicate the following:
(1) 
A valid boundary line survey of the site on which the proposed work is to be done, including North arrow, scale, location of trees and watercourses;
(2) 
A description of the features, existing and proposed, surrounding the site which are of importance to the proposed development, including, among others, distance to road intersections, adjacent structures, roads, utilities and watercourses;
(3) 
A topographic map with existing contours at a vertical interval of not more than five feet which shows drainage and soil conditions on the site based on data from the soil survey; present contours of the land and proposed contours after completion of grading must be shown;
(4) 
The location and description of existing and future man-made features of importance to the proposed development, including structures, roads, utilities, excavations and fills;
(5) 
Plans and specifications for soil erosion and sediment control measures as required by the Borough and the County Conservation District;
(6) 
A development schedule indicating the anticipated starting and completion dates of the development, the sequence of development and the time of exposure of each area prior to the completion of effective erosion and sediment control measures;
(7) 
A description of the type and classification of the soil;
(8) 
Details and location of any proposed drainage structures, pipes, walls and cribbing;
(9) 
The nature of the fill material;
(10) 
All plans shall be dated and bear the name of the person who prepared the plan.
B. 
The Building Official may waive the requirement for preparation of plans by an engineer where it is evident that the proposed work is simple, clearly shown on the drawings submitted and poses no potential nuisance or hazard to adjacent property.
A. 
Where deemed necessary by the Building Official, the applicant shall submit a detailed drainage study prepared by a registered professional engineer qualified in hydrology.
(1) 
The drainage study shall show, on an accurate map of the site, the location, elevations and dimensions of all present and proposed watercourses, ditches, pipes and drainage structures; proposed excavations and fills; woodlands; structures; parking areas and driveways; sources, storage and disposition of water channeled through or across the site; all proposed grading and drainage; and the gradients and maximum flow rates of watercourses.
(2) 
The drainage study shall describe the work to be performed and disposition of cut and fill material, the materials to be used and the method of performance, including provisions for protecting and maintaining existing drainage facilities, whether on public or private property. The drainage study shall be accomplished by all supporting data developed by the engineer.
(3) 
The drainage study shall include calculations based on the soil-cover complex method to determine runoff. The coefficient of runoff used shall be computed on the basis of existing land use set forth in the Stormwater Management Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 255, Stormwater Management.
B. 
Drainage facilities to carry surface water shall be provided and designed to prevent erosion or overflow.
C. 
The applicant shall agree to the granting and recording of easements for the installation and maintenance of drainage facilities.
D. 
Adequate stormwater retention facilities shall be provided to ensure that stormwater runoff after development shall not be greater than runoff which would occur from the site in its natural state during a storm with a one-hundred-year probability.
A soils report shall be required if load-bearing fill is proposed, and this report shall consist of test bearings, laboratory testings and engineering analysis to correlate surface and subsurface conditions with the proposed grading plan.
A. 
The soils report shall be prepared by a soils engineer and shall include data on the nature, distribution and supporting ability of existing soils and rock on the site and means of assuring stable soil conditions and groundwater control as required.
B. 
Fills toeing out on natural slopes steeper than 25% shall not be approved unless a supplemental report prepared by a soils engineer certifies that he or she has investigated, tested and analyzed the site and that in his or her opinion such steeper slopes will safely support the proposed fill. Such other supplemental reports may be required as shall be deemed necessary by the Building Official.
Before issuance of a grading permit, the applicant shall post a bond with a Pennsylvania-approved corporate surety or other approved security in the amount of 100% of the estimated cost of the grading work and erosion control facilities proposed for the permit to guarantee completion of said work and facilities in a satisfactory manner which meets the requirements of this chapter.
A. 
The performance guaranty for grading single-family residences may comply with the above requirements or be a cash deposit of $75 per residence.
B. 
When all requirements of this permit have been met and the work has been completed in a satisfactory manner, the full amount of security shall be returned to the person posting said security.
When the requirements of this chapter for obtaining a grading permit have been met, the Building Official shall approve the proposed plan and issue a grading permit. When, in the opinion of the Building Official, work proposed by the applicant is likely to endanger any property, person or public roadway or cause any other hazardous condition, the Building Official shall disapprove the application and shall not issue a grading permit. The Building Official, in reviewing each application, shall give due consideration to possible saturation by rains, earth movements, runoff surface waters, subsurface conditions, the stratification and faulting of rock, aquifers, springs and the nature and type of the soil or rock.
Every grading permit shall become null and void if the work authorized has not been commenced within six months or is not completed within one year from the date of issue.
Appeals may be taken to Council within 30 days of any denial the Building Official. The Council may grant relief from the strict provisions of this chapter where in its opinion alternate methods, standard, or materials proposed by the developer will meet the objectives and intent of this chapter. Any applicant or permit holder shall have the right to appeal decisions of Council to any court of competent jurisdiction.
The following standards shall be minimum standards for the issuance of a grading permit.
A. 
The maximum slope of an excavation shall not be greater than 1 1/2 horizontal to one vertical, and maximum slope for fill shall not be greater than two horizontal to one vertical; provided, however, that the maximum cut may be increased to one horizontal to one vertical where a soils engineer certifies that the cut be into sedimentary rock or other material which is sufficiently durable to remain stable and maintain the cut without slippage.
B. 
No grading, excavation or fill shall be performed so close to any property line as to endanger or damage any adjoining street or any other public or private property without supporting such property from settling, cracking, erosion, sedimentation, flooding or any other physical damage or personal injury which might result.
C. 
Adequate provisions shall be incorporated to prevent erosion due to storm drainage. All drainage facilities shall be properly engineered and may be paved or planted swales and gutters and piped storm sewers. All storm drainage facilities will be reviewed and approved by the Building Official.
D. 
Existing storm drainage shall not be diverted so as to alter the location of watercourses on any adjacent property.
E. 
No debris or other material shall be placed or allowed to be placed in any drainage ditch or structure in such a manner as to obstruct the free flow of surface water.
F. 
All trees in an area of extreme grade change shall be protected with suitable tree wells unless the necessity for removal is established. Trees shall not be removed unnecessarily.
G. 
Provisions shall be made for dust control as are deemed necessary and acceptable by the Building Official.
H. 
All fills shall be compacted to provide stability of fill materials and to prevent settlement or slippage. Any fill material to be used shall be tested by the owner to ensure that its dry density shall be not less than 95% of maximum density as determined by ASTM D1556.
I. 
Immediately upon completion of grading, all areas not designated for building or paving shall be mulched and planted. Planting shall be appropriate to maintain slopes from erosion and subject to approval of the Borough. In general, planting may be rye grass, crown vetch or honeysuckle.
J. 
Plans and specifications for every grading permit shall provide for both temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control.
K. 
When needed for slope stabilization, benching shall be required. In general, slopes which exceed 50 feet shall require benches.
L. 
In addition to the above, all fill and cut operations shall follow the Handbook for Earth-moving Activities and Erosion and Sedimentation Control for Allegheny County.
Where the Council, upon the recommendation of its Building Official, has determined that any existing excavation, embankment or fill is a hazard, the Building Official shall give written notice to the property owner that a hazard exists and shall order that such hazard shall be remedied by the owner within a reasonable time specified in the notice.
A. 
If, after such notification, the property owner has not made the necessary repairs within the time adopted, then Council may cause such remedies as are needed to be performed by Borough employees or by contract, and the cost thereof shall be borne by the property owner by a lien filed as provided by law.
B. 
Whenever the Council determines that any proposed excavation or fill is a hazard, it may require that the property owner have any proposed remedies certified by a soils engineer or an engineering geologist. In determining whether a hazard may endanger property, streets or alleys, or create hazardous conditions, the permit officer shall give due consideration to possible saturation by rains, earth movements, runoff surface waters and subsurface conditions such as stratification and faulting of rock, aquifiers, springs and the nature and type of the soil, rock and fill material.
A. 
The applicant shall notify the Building Official of the schedule of any grading operation. Notice shall be received by the Building Official or at his or her office at least two working days before the start or completion of grading operations.
B. 
Grading work at these stages or at any other time will be subject to spot inspections at the discretion of the Building Official to determine that the work is being performed in compliance with the approved permit and these regulations.
C. 
Should the Building Official deem it necessary, a report by an engineering geologist will be required, with inspection and certification that cuts and fills have been placed in accordance with approved plans and specifications.
D. 
A final inspection shall be conducted by the Borough Engineer to certify compliance with this chapter. Satisfactory compliance with this chapter shall be necessary before issuance of any occupancy permit.
The owner of any property on which an excavation or fill has been made shall maintain the excavation or fill in good condition, including all retaining walls, cribbing, drainage structures, fences, ground cover or other protective devices as may be a part of the permit requirements.
A. 
All drainage courses, ditches, culverts, pipes and structures shall be adequately maintained by the owner and shall be kept open and free-flowing at all times.
B. 
All graded surfaces, anti-erosion devices, retaining walls, drainage structures and similar protective devices, plantings and ground covers installed pursuant to a grading permit shall be continuously maintained and kept in good repair by the owner.
C. 
Adequate engineering provisions shall be incorporated to prevent the infiltration of sediment into existing streams.
D. 
Where the Building Official finds evidence of deterioration or erosion of any excavation or fill which threatens damage to nearby properties, he or she shall direct the property owner to effect remedies which will restore the grading to a safe condition within a reasonable period of time.
A. 
No fill shall be made which creates any exposed surface steeper in slope than 1 1/4 horizontal to one vertical, except under one or more of the following conditions:
(1) 
When the fill, in the opinion of the Borough Engineer, is located so that settlement, sliding or erosion of the fill material will not result in property damage or be a hazard to adjoining property, streets, alleys or buildings.
(2) 
When a written statement from a civil engineer, licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and experienced in erosion control, certifying that he has inspected the site and that the proposed deviation from the slope specified above will not endanger any property or result in property damage, is submitted to and approved by the Borough Engineer.
B. 
The Borough Engineer may require that the fill be constructed with an exposed surface flatter than 1 1/2 horizontal to one vertical if he finds that under the particular conditions such flatter surface is necessary for stability and safety.
C. 
Whenever a fill is to be made of materials other than clean soil or earth, the grading permit shall be subject to the following additional limitations and requirements:
(1) 
The fill shall be completed within a reasonable length of time, the said time limit to be determined by the Borough Engineer and to be specified on the grading permit.
(2) 
Clean soil or earth shall be placed over the top and exposed surfaces of the fill to a depth sufficient to effectively conceal all materials, other than clean soil or earth, with the fill. Where the nature of the fill requires, the Borough Engineer may require clean soil or earth to be placed over the top and exposed surfaces of the fill to a depth sufficient to conceal all materials at the end of each day's operations.
(3) 
No grading permit shall be issued for the filling of materials other than clean soil or earth until a faithful performance bond in the amount of at least 10% more than the Borough Engineer's estimated cost of adequately covering such fill with clean soil or earth has been furnished to the Borough. Such bond shall be executed by a corporate surety, as well as by the principal, and shall be subject to the approval of the Borough Solicitor as to form. The bond shall inure to the benefit of the Borough and shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the work required under the terms and conditions of the grading permit to the satisfaction of the Borough Engineer. In lieu of said bond, a cash deposit in the said amount may be made with the Borough, or with a bank or trust company approved by the Borough Solicitor, which shall act as escrow agent.
All fills shall be compacted to provide stability of material and to prevent undesirable settlement. The fill shall be spread in a series of layers, each not exceeding 12 inches in thickness, and shall be compacted by a sheepsfoot roller or other approved method after each layer is spread. The Borough Engineer may require tests or other information if, in his opinion, the conditions or materials are such that additional information is necessary.
Adequate provisions shall be made to prevent any surface waters from damaging the cut face of an excavation or the sloping surface of a fill. Slopes of more than 10 feet in vertical height shall be separated by level berms of at least four feet in width. Berm ditches shall be constructed where necessary to prevent erosion. All drainage provisions shall be of such design as to carry surface waters to the nearest practical street, storm drain or natural watercourse approved by the Borough as a safe place to deposit and receive such waters. The Borough Engineer may require such drainage structures or pipes to be constructed or installed as, in his opinion, are necessary to prevent damage and to satisfactorily carry off surface waters.
The owner of any property on which an excavation or fill has been made shall maintain in good condition and repair all retaining walls, cribbing, drainage structures, fences and other protective devices.
A. 
The top or bottom edge of slopes shall be at least three feet from property or right-of-way lines of streets in order to permit the normal rounding of the edge without encroaching on the abutting property. Where walls or slopes at property lines are steeper than 1:1 and six feet or more in height, they shall be protected by a substantial fence three feet or more in height. Before a grading permit is issued, a bond may be required to guarantee the protection of steep slopes.
B. 
The owner of a property shall be responsible to protect and clean up lower properties of silt and debris washing from his property as a result of the regrading of his property.
C. 
In order to prevent the denuding of the landscape, wherever practicable, large trees and other natural features constituting important physical, aesthetic and economic assets to existing or impending development shall be preserved.
Any person, partnership or corporation who or which shall violate the provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000. In default of payment of the fine, such person, the members of such partnership or the officers of such corporation shall be liable to imprisonment for not more than 90 days. Each day that a violation is continued shall constitute a separate offense.
In case any grading is, or is proposed to be, performed in violation of this chapter, the Council may, in addition to other remedies, institute in the name of the Borough any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent such unlawful work and to restrain or abate such violation.