Landscape/Grading Permit

You do not need to apply for a Landscape/Grading permit if ALL of the following exemptions are met:

 

  1. Not a Historic Property
  2. Not removing any trees
  3. Not working in the floodplain or stream margin
  4. Not working in the Smuggler mountain superfund site
  5. Not working in the 8040 greenline review area
  6. Not hardscaping in the setbacks

                                     AND

      • Less than 200 SF of work

                                      OR

      • Less than 100 SF of total landscaping that does not include

                   hardscape, or a change in grade or drainage pattern

 

Submittal Requirements when exemptions aren't met:

  1. Completed Landscape/Grading Permit Form.
  2. Site Plan
  3. Construction Management Plan (See our Design & Construction page)

 

 

You may additionally need to submit the following documents when:

1.  Plan contains exterior lighting:

  • Submit site lighting plan
  • Individual specification for each fixture
  • Comcheck energy audit - For commercial projects only

 

2.  Plan contains exterior energy uses (e.g. snowmelt, pools, spas, etc.)

  • Submit 2009 IECC REMP worksheet
  • The site plan must include locations of proposed snowmelt, spas, and/pools.  It must show individual snowmelt area square footages, and total square footage requested.  Note: Snowmelt proposed in a Right-of-Way (ROW) will require a separate zone, a ROW permit and a permanent encroachment license.  Snowmelt may not drain to the ROW.

 

3.   Plan contains a firepit:

  • Submit a specification sheet for appliance

 

4.   Plan contains hardscaping in the setback:

  • Submit structural details showing improvement height above and below grade

 

Building Permit Engineering Reviews that may apply to you:

 Requirement

Required when disturbance is

 Linked URL

    Minor Grading/Drainage Review   

    >200 SF

 Design & Construction  

 Major Grading/Drainage Review

      >1000 SF

 Design & Construction

 

Supplemental Definitions

1.  Hardscape: in the practice of landscaping, refers to hard surfaced areas like decks, patios, walkways, and pools where the soil is no longer exposed to the surface.  Hardscape also include other permanent features such as retaining walls and fire pits.

2.   Landscape/Softscape: any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land.  In the case for a landscape and grading permit, it alters features that are planted.

3.   Change in Grade: or “grading” occurs when soil material is disturbed on a site to establish a certain level, shape, or slope.  In the case for a landscape and grading permit, the addition of mulch up to 4 inches is not considered “grading.”