Grading

Land Disturbing

Process Description:
Grading permits must be obtained when an applicant wishes to disturb more than 12,000 square feet of land per City Code Part 10 Chapter 5 Section 5008. As part of the review process, the site is checked for compliance with the Stormwater, Floodplain and Erosion and Sediment Control regulations. After the plans submittal package is submitted to the Development Services Customer Service Center (see Standard Submittal Package requirements below), the permit is assigned a transaction number and routed for review.

The plans will be reviewed by Plan Reviewers from the Stormwater Division of the Public Works Department and Plan Reviewers from the Zoning, Tree Conservation and Permits Divisions of the Inspections Department. At the end of a review cycle, the client will be contacted via fax and/or email with either review comments for unresolved issues or instructions to pick up the approved permit. Clients may also track permit status by using their assigned transaction number or the project street address on the City of Raleigh Online Development Center.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Are there any prerequisites/requirements for this process?

If project includes any site improvements such as building footprints, street improvements, driveways, parking lots, etc., then a Preliminary Site plan approval may be required. Preliminary Site plan approval is not required for a grading permit to only disturb land
These work groups must approve the review before a grading permit can be issued: Stormwater; Inspections Zoning Division; Inspections Zoning Division -Tree Conservation; DS Customer Service Center Final Review

Exceptions to the process:
Recorded Maps are no longer required as part of the submittal package for grading projects.

How do I start the process?
Submit a complete Standard Submittal Package to the Development Services Customer Service Center located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC

What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package

Completed City of Raleigh Permit Application (Grading section)
Three (3) sets of civil site design plans sealed by either a professional engineer or registered landscape architect. Plans should be 24 x 36 in size
One (1) set of full stormwater calculations
One (1) copy of the Maintenance Manual
One (1) copy of the Stormwater Permit Check List
One (1) copy of the Financial Responsibility Form
Fee payment

Note: Effective June 1, 2007, Recorded Maps are no longer required as part of the submittal package for grading projects.

What additional documents may be needed?

Additional requirements are necessary, if client chooses the optional expedited review process Express Review
Approval for a Neuse River Buffer disturbance from the State of NC is needed when ANY disturbance of the Neuse River Buffer is shown on the grading plan
Approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA ) for an encroachment into a designated floodway is needed, if shown on the grading plan
Approval from the US Army Corp of Engineers for any wetland disturbance is needed, if shown on the grading plan

Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?

Where do I submit my application?

Office:               City of Raleigh
Department:    City Manager - Development Services
Division:           Customer Service Center
Address:          One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to:     219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:          (919) 516-2495
Hours:              8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

What are the keys to success?

Accurately review check lists to ensure you have included all documents, fees and plan requirements. Incomplete plans will be returned without a review Stormwater Permit Check List and Tree Conservation
Major plan revisions after permit issuance may require a new plan review, re-issuance of permits and additional fees

Land Disturbing Plan Review Information:

Land disturbing plans must be prepared with scale, legend and project orientation. All drawings must be sealed, signed and dated by the project designer. Plans must be 24 x 36 in size
A construction sequence must be provided outlining permits, installation measures, inspections and approvals in the construction process
A street address for all proposed buildings must be included in the title block of the plan. (This information should be included on each sheet of the plans.)
Tax map and parcel or PIN number must be shown
Zoning district must be identified on plans
Project and property boundaries must be identified
All driveway entrances, both existing and proposed, must be shown on the plans
A location map showing the project in relation to public road systems must be provided
All off-site conditions, such as zoning and drainage areas entering site, must be identified
All easements, buffer areas, flood zones, lot lines and numbers, road name types, locations and treatments) must be identified
All proposed improvements, such as roads, buildings, parking areas, grassed landscape and natural areas, must be identified
Existing and proposed grades (plan and profile to be shown for roadway construction) must be shown on plans
All borrow and spoil areas must be located on plans
Detail drawings, including section, elevations, standard details and perspectives of measures sufficient for construction as designed must be provided
All sedimentation and erosion control measures must be shown on plans, per Raleigh City Code, Chapter 5
Disturbed area must be clearly identified
A Financial Responsibility Form shall be completed and included at time of submittal.
An application for land disturbing and related activities must be completed for submittal
Stormwater networks must be shown on plans, identifying inlets, culverts, swales, ditches, and channels (top elevation, invert elevation, pipe size and slope). Supporting calculations must be included
All temporary sediment controls must be shown, and should show locations and dimensions of gravel entrances, diversions, silt fences, sediment basins and other controls. Devices shall be designed to the 10 year 24 hour storm event
Permanent erosion controls must be located, and dimensions of dissipaters, ditch linings, armoring retaining walls, and other controls must be identified and shown
The following calculations must be provided: Temporary devices: sediment storage and Q10 capacity Ditches, swales and channels: Q10 velocities and capacity Dissipaters: Q10 velocities Storm culverts and inlets: use Q10 discharge. For all cross-drainage of public streets draining 10 acres or more, see City Code section 10-3053 (2), Gutter spread, use 2 year 24 hour storm. Maximum spread, ½ lane width
Fall Basin Watershed: Locations, dimensions, details, calculations and specifications for watershed protection measures must be provided and shown. Include impervious area calculations City Code Sect. 10-3052
Swift Creek Watershed: Locations, dimensions, details, calculations and specifications for watershed protection measures must be provided and shown. Include impervious area calculations City Code Sect. 10-3052
Site Plan Approval: City Council plan approval number must be provided, as well as, the date of approval
Existing and proposed utilities to serve the site must be shown

What are the top ten common oversights that result in Plan Review Unresolved Issues:

Incomplete or no Financial Responsibility Form
Lack of Storm Drain and Erosion control calculations
Existing and proposed grades not shown
Preliminary Site plan approval or zoning case number not shown
Project, property, and floodplain boundaries and offsite conditions not shown
Disturbed area not clearly delineated
No vicinity map
Improper details or incomplete detail sheet
Inadequate size and length to width ratio for sediment basins
Inadequate construction sequence in the work plan

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

Grading Permit Review fee ($123/acre) – due at time of submittal
Stormwater Tracking Review fee ($165/acre) – due at permit issuance*
Flood Permit ($330 flat fee) – due at permit issuance*
Neuse River Buffer Permit ($165 flat fee) – due at permit issuance*
Grading Permit Fee ($247/acre) – due at permit issuance*
Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
All grading fees are processed by the Development Services Customer Services Center cashiers located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC
See Development Fee Schedule

Note: * - if applicable to site

How long will this process take?

First review cycle is approximately seven (7) business days
Each subsequent review cycle is three (3) business days

Guide Home Page

For More Information Contact:
Ben Brown, Stormwater Dev Supervisor
For Stormwater Questions
Public Works Department
One Exchange Plaza, Suite 304
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2168

Andy Gilliam, Forestry Specialist
For Tree Conservation Questions
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza, Suite 304
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2552

Patrick Oneal, Site Review Specialist
For Zoning Questions
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza, Suite 304
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2557

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