Source: http://ecode360.com/14921601
Timestamp: 2017-09-25 23:57:22
Document Index: 369646679

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 9', '§ 101', '§ 103', '§ 104', '§ 105', '§ 106', '§ 107', '§ 109', '§ 110', '§ 111', '§ 112', '§ 113', '§ 114', '§ 115', '§ 116', '§ 117', '§ 118', '§ 119', '§ 120', 'Art. 1', 'Art. 2', 'Art. 3', 'Art. 4', 'Art. 5', '§ 105', 'Art. 6', 'Art. 7', 'Art. 8', 'Art. 9', 'Art. 10', 'Art. 11', '§ 107', 'Art. 12', 'Art. 13', 'Art. 14', 'Art. 15', '§ 118', 'Art. 16', '§ 107', 'Art. 17', 'Art. 18', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'Art. 19']

Township of Harrison, PA Grading and Excavating
§ 9-101 Title, Purpose, Validity.
§ 9-104 Permits Required.
§ 9-106 Application.
§ 9-107 Permit Fees — Work Completion Guarantees.
§ 9-109 Denial of Permit — Appeal.
§ 9-110 Inspection.
§ 9-111 Standards of Excavation.
§ 9-114 Standards for Compaction of Fills and Benching.
§ 9-115 Drainage.
§ 9-117 General Requirements.
§ 9-118 Grading Certificate of Completion.
§ 9-119 Violations and Penalties.
§ 9-120 Remedies.
§ 101 Title, Purpose, Validity.
§ 103 Scope.
§ 104 Permits Required.
§ 105 Exceptions.
§ 106 Application.
§ 107 Permit Fees — Work Completion Guarantees.
§ 109 Denial of Permit — Appeal.
§ 110 Inspection.
§ 111 Standards of Excavation.
§ 112 Standards for Fills.
§ 113 Standards for Minimizing Erosion and Sediment.
§ 114 Standards for Compaction of Fills and Benching.
§ 115 Drainage.
§ 116 Maintenance.
§ 117 General Requirements.
§ 118 Grading Certificate of Completion.
§ 119 Violations and Penalties.
§ 120 Remedies.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 1]
This Part shall be known as the "Township of Harrison Grading, Excavating and Fill Ordinance."
The purpose of this Part is to provide minimum standards to safeguard persons, to protect property, maintain the present level of ecology and promote the public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use, location, and maintenance of grading, excavation and fill.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Part is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Part.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 2]
Wherever used in this Part the words shall have the following meaning:
The qualified individual designated from time to time by the Board of Commissioners to act for the Township of Harrison under this Part.
A valid permit issued by the Township of Harrison, pursuant to the provisions of applicable Harrison Township Ordinances for the construction, erection of or alterations of a structure or buildings.
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock, coal, or any other similar material is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced or relocated or bulldozed and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock, or any other material is deposited, placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported, or moved to a new location and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
EXISTING OR NATURAL GRADE — The elevation of the existing ground surface above sea level prior to any excavating or filling.
FINISHED GRADE — The elevation of the ground surface above sea level after grading has been completed and the elevation coincides with the elevation called for in a plan of grading.
ROUGH GRADE — That state of grading which approximates the finished grade in a plan of grading.
Any permit required by this Part.
The application of such material as will produce a dust free, all weather, hard surface.
A lot, tract, or parcel of land, or a series of lots, tracts, or parcels of land, joined together, where grading work is continuous and performed at the same time.
That ratio formed by the horizontal over the vertical difference of position and where the vertical difference is usually expressed as one. (e.g. 2/1, 3/1, etc.)
The Township of Harrison.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 3]
New grading (excavations or fills) or changes, additions, repairs, or alterations made to existing grading (excavations or fills) shall conform to the provisions of this Part.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 4]
No person shall commence or perform any grading (excavation or fill) without first having obtained a grading permit from the Administrator. A separate grading permit shall be required for each site. One permit may cover both an excavation and any fill made on the same site.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 5]
A grading permit will not be required in the following situations, but in all other respects, the provisions of this Part shall apply:
An excavation which does not exceed four feet in vertical depth at its deepest point measured from the existing grade, if the grading (1) does not cover an area of more than 20% of the site, and (2) does not exceed 6,000 square feet, and (3) does not exceed 250 cubic yards, (4) does not result in cut and/or fill slope steeper than four horizontal to one vertical and does not exceed an area of 1,000 square feet for areas recognized by the soil survey or better source as containing landslide-prone soils. This exception shall not effect the applicability of this Part to the requirement of a grading permit for any fill made with the material from such excavation, unless such fill is within the exception of subsection 2 herein.
A fill which does not exceed four feet in vertical depth at its deepest point measured to the existing grade, if the grading (1) does not cover an area of more than 20% of the site, and (2) does not exceed 6,000 square feet, and (3) does not exceed 250 cubic yards; provided that the surface of such fills does not have a slope at any point steeper than four horizontal to one vertical.
An excavation for basements and footings of a building, swimming pool, or underground structure authorized by a building permit and excavation of a driveway between a building site and the street where the plot plans attached to the building permit indicate existing and proposed contours. A grading permit shall indicate existing and proposed contours. A grading permit shall not be required for the temporary stockpiling on the site, of the material from such excavation, within a one year period beginning from issuance of the building permit.
A single family house site where the minimum slope between property lines or the maximum excavation or fill (exclusive of the situations referred to in § 105(3) hereof) do not exceed the slopes or quantities set forth in the following table:
Single Family House Site
(feet vertical per 100 feet horizontal
From 12,000 to 30,000 square feet
Every applicant for a grading permit shall file a written application therefore, with the Administrator. Such application shall:
Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done, by lot, block, tract or street address, or similar description which will readily identify and locate the proposed work.
Be accompanied by plans and specifications, in triplicate, prepared by a Registered Engineer, Registered Surveyor or Registered Landscape Architect, licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including: a plan of survey, a contour map showing the present contours of the land and the proposed contours of the land after completion of the proposed grading at a scale not smaller than 50 feet to one inch and at a contour interval of not greater than five feet, and a plan showing cross sections of the proposed cut and/or fill on fifty-foot intervals which show the method of benching both cut and/or fill, however, under no circumstances shall there be less than two cross sections for each property involved under said permit; a plot plan showing the location of the grading, boundaries, lot lines, neighboring streets and ways, existing and proposed buildings, existing water lines and sewers or drains, existing utility lines, type of ground cover or vegetation, and sufficient dimensions and other data to show the location of all work; description of the type and classification of the soils obtained from an on-site investigation; details and location of existing watercourses, area and details of paving, and any proposed drainage structures and pipes, walls and cribbing, details of bridges and/or culverts required to cross over watercourses; nature or fill material and such other information as the Administrator may require to carry out the purpose of this Part. All plans shall be dated and bear: (1) the name and seal of the Registered Professional who prepared same; (2) the name of the applicant and (3) the name of the owner of the land.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 6]
Not more than 200 cubic yards.
More than 200 cubic yards
$30 plus $8 for each additional 100 cubic yards or portion thereof
More than 500 cubic yards
$54 plus $7 for each additional 100 cubic yards or portion thereof
More than 1,000 cubic yards
$90 plus $6 for each additional 100 cubic yards or portion thereof
Before issuance of a grading permit the applicant shall post a bond, with a corporate surety. Such bond shall be executed by a corporate surety, as well as by the principal, and shall be subject to the approval of the Township Solicitor as to form. The bond shall issue to the benefit of the Township and be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the work required under the terms and conditions of the grading permit to the satisfaction of the Administrator. In lieu of said bond, a cash deposit in the said amount may be made with the Township. Said bond shall be in the amount of 50% of the estimated cost of the work to guarantee the completion of said work, including erosion and sedimentation control and storm drainage system, contemplated by the permit.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 7]
Every grading permit shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit has not been commenced within one year or is not completed within two years from the date of issue, provided that the Administrator may, if the permit holder presents satisfactory evidence in writing that unusual difficulties have prevented the work from being started or completed within the specified time limits, grant a reasonable extension of time, and provided further, that the application for the extension of time is made before the date of expiration of the permit.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 8]
Where, in the opinion of the Administrator the work as proposed by the applicant is likely to endanger any person, property, or any street or way, he shall deny the grading permit. In determining whether the proposed work is likely to endanger property, or streets, or alleys, or streams, or create hazardous conditions or damage the ecology of the area, the Administrator shall give consideration to, but shall not be limited to, possible saturation by rains, earth movements, runoff of surface waters and subsurface conditions such as the stratification and faulting of rock, and the nature and type of the soil, rock, or other minerals.
The Board of Commissioners shall promptly consider appeals from the provisions of this Part or from the determinations of the Administrator, and the Board may consider alternate methods, standards or materials proposed by the applicant. (Any applicant or permit holder shall have the right to appeal to any court of competent jurisdiction from any decision or determination of the Board of Supervisors.)
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 9]
The Administrator shall make the inspections hereinafter required and shall either approve that portion of the work that has been completed or notify the permit holder wherein the same fails to comply with the provisions of this Part. Where it is found by inspection that the soil or other conditions are not as stated or shown on the application, the Administrator shall stop work on the site immediately until approval is obtained for a revised grading plan conforming to the existing conditions.
The permit holder shall notify the Administrator in order to obtain inspections in accordance with the following schedule and such notifications shall be made by the permit holder at least 72 hours before the inspection is to be made:
Special Inspection. If at any time conditions are found which are not stated on the permit holder's application.
If, at any stage of the work, the Administrator shall determine by inspection that conditions exist, such that the work as authorized by an existing permit is likely to endanger any property, or streets, or ways, or create hazardous conditions, the Administrator may require, as a condition to allowing the work to be done, that such reasonable "Safety Precautions" be taken as the Administrator considers advisable to avoid the likelihood of danger. "Safety Precautions" may include, but shall not be limited to, specifying a lesser degree of slope, construction of additional drainage facilities, berms, terracing, compaction, cribbing, or walls.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 10]
Landslide: prone soils where slopes greater than 25% shall have cut slopes no steeper than three horizontal to one vertical. Soil survey map symbols are:
Landslide. Prone soils where slopes are less than 25% shall have cut slopes no steeper than two horizontal to one vertical. Soil survey map symbols are:
Soils which are not or have a low probability of being landslide: prone shall have a slope no steeper than 1 1/2 horizontal to one vertical. All soil survey map symbols except the symbols listed above donate soils of low landslide probability.
The top or bottom edge of slopes shall generally be set back from adjacent property lines or street right-of-way.
Guidelines for cuts in the Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania should be followed. One or a combination of guidelines should be used to minimize hazard, depending on site conditions and proposed grading.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 11]
No fill shall be made which creates any exposed surface steeper in slope than three horizontal to one vertical, except under one or more of the following conditions:
A written statement from a Registered Professional Engineer, licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and experienced in erosion control and geological sciences, certifying that he has inspected the site and that the proposed deviation from the slope specified above will not result in increased risk of injury to persons or damage to adjacent property, streets, alleys, structures, or receiving streams from erosion and sedimentation, is submitted to and approved by the Administrator.
The fill shall be completed within a reasonable length of time, the said time limit to be determined by the Administrator and to be specified on the grading permit.
No fill of any kind shall be placed over trees, stumps, or other material which would create a nuisance or be susceptible to attracting rodents, termites, or other pests.
No grading permit shall be issued for the filling with materials other than clean soil or earth until a performance bond in the amount of at least 10% more than the Administrator's estimated cost (i.e. 110%) of adequately covering such fill with clean soil or earth and providing erosion and sedimentation control and drainage has been furnished to the Township. Such bond shall be in conformance with that as set forth in § 107(2).
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 12; as amended by Ord. 1910, 7/22/2004]
In order to prevent erosion, the permittee shall be required to provide adequate surface treatment by installing ground cover of such kind and character as may be approved by the Administrator. In accordance with Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 102, Section 102.4(b), an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan is required for any earth disturbance activity of 5,000 square feet or more. All Erosion and Sediment Control Plans shall be in accordance with the requirements of Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 102, Sections 102.1 – 102.51. Prior to the issuance of a grading permit, the applicant shall obtain the approval of the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan by the Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD).
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 13]
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 and shall be compacted by a sheepsfoot roller or other approved method after each layer is spread. The Administrator may require tests or other information if, in his opinion, the conditions or materials are such that additional information is necessary. Where fills are placed on slopes of 15% or more, benching of the surface shall be required and indicated on the cross sections. Fills that exceed a height of eight feet shall be provided at the toe of the slope with a key bench at least two feet and four feet wide across the entire length of the toe.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 14]
Adequate provisions shall be made to prevent any surface waters from damaging the cut face of an excavation or sloping surface of a fill. The Administrator shall require drainage structures or pipes to be constructed or installed which are necessary to prevent erosion and to satisfactorily carry off surface waters. All drainage provisions shall be of such design as to carry surface waters to the nearest practical location or natural watercourse which is a safe place to deposit or receive such waters. Culverts and bridges of proper size shall be installed where a watercourse is to be crossed in accord with State rules, regulations and law.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 15]
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, ground cover, and other protective devices as established by permit and further, the continued use of said area shall be contingent upon the maintenance and upkeep, satisfactory to the Township. The Certificate of Completion therefor may, at any time, be revoked by the Board of Commissioners, in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 118(2, 3) if the conditions of the permit are not being observed or if conditions exist that prejudice the health, safety and welfare of any person, persons or property.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 16]
The top or bottom edge of excavations and fills shall be at least three feet from property lines or right-of-way lines of streets in order to permit the normal rounding of the edge without encroaching on the abutting property. The top or bottom edge of excavation and fills shall be at least 25 feet from the nearest bank of any stream or body of water. A temporary fence not less than four feet in height and approved by the Administrator shall be placed at the top of all cuts or fills and slopes in excess of 1 1/2 horizontal to one vertical, prior to excavation. Upon completion of grading a permanent fence not less than four feet in height and meeting Township fence requirements shall be placed at the top of all such cuts or fills and slopes. Before a grading permit is issued a bond shall be required as provided in § 107(2) hereof, to guarantee the protection of steep slopes.
The owner of a property shall be responsible to protect and clean up affected properties of silt or debris washing from his property as a result of the regrading of his property. The duties imposed under this paragraph shall be in addition to those duties owed to other property owners by law.
All grading, excavation or fill shall be performed so that no unnecessary dust shall be raised. The Administrator may enforce reasonable dust control regulations and may revoke any permit issued under this Part until dust control regulations are met.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 17]
If, upon final inspection of an excavation or fill, it is found that the work authorized by the grading permit has been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the requirements of this Part, a grading certificate of completion covering such work and stating that the work is approved, shall be issued to the permit holder by the Administrator.
The Board of Commissioners shall have the power to revoke the grading certificate of completion upon the recommendation of the Administrator that the work covered by the permit, or that any retaining walls, cribbing, drainage structures, fence, or other protective devices shown on the approved plans and specifications submitted for a permit have not been maintained in good order and repair.
Before such revocation, the Administrator shall first give written notice to the permit holder and to the owner of the property involved, specifying the defective condition and stating that unless such defective condition is remedied, the certificate shall be revoked. Such condition shall be corrected within 30 days of notice to the owner to correct same.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 18; as amended by Ord. 1782, 2/16/1987]
No person shall construct, enlarge, alter, repair, or maintain any grading, excavation or fill, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any provision of this Part.
When written notice of a violation of any of the provisions of this Part has been served by the Administrator on any person, such violation shall be discontinued immediately.
Penalties. Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part 1 shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300; and/or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days. Every day that a violation of this Part 1 continues shall constitute a separate offense.
[Ord. 1621, 3/21/1977, Art. 19]
In case any work is performed by any person in violation of any of the provisions of this Part, the proper officer of the Township, in addition to other remedies, may institute in the name of the Township any appropriate action or proceeding, whether by legal process or otherwise, to prevent such unlawful work and to restrain or abate such violation.