Surface Grading Application

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This document outlines the application process for obtaining approval of a Surface Grading Plan within the Borough of Florham Park, which is a prerequisite for obtaining a Building Permit. Applicants are required to submit the application in triplicate, along with three copies of the grading plan, to the Borough Engineer at least two weeks prior to seeking a Building Permit. Plans must generally be prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer or Architect, with specific exceptions for minor land disturbances. The application process involves a fee structure: $400 for projects involving land disturbance greater than 1,000 sq. ft. or building additions exceeding 600 sq. ft., and $150 for smaller projects. An additional $50 fee applies for reviews of substantial revisions or extra inspections. Approval from the Engineering Department is essential before a building permit is issued and prior to receiving an occupancy permit, following a final inspection. Non-compliance with the approved plan or chapter requirements can lead to fines between $400 and $2,000, or imprisonment.

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--- Document: Surface Grading Application Document ---
APPLICATION FOR 
APPROVAL OF SURFACE GRADING PLAN 
To be filed in triplicate with the Borough Engineer two weeks prior to obtaining a Building Permit.  Include with this 
application three copies of the surface grading plan. 
NOTE:  A revised Surface Grading Plan must be submitted for approval should it be necessary to change the lot 
grading during construction. 
 
APPLICATION NO.______________  DATE SUBMITTED:____________ DATE  RESUBMITTED:______________ 
TO:  ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF FLORHAM PARK 
Telephone: 973-410-5334 
E-mail: kkaplan@fpboro.net 
Application is hereby made for the Approval of Surface Grading Plan as set forth in Chapter 250-Zoning of the Florham 
Park Borough Code and summarized on back of application. 
1. 
APPLICANT’S NAME_________________________________________________________ 
 
ADDRESS___________________________________________________________________ 
PHONE NUMBER________________________________________ 
E-MAIL ADDRESS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. 
LOCATION OF PROPOSED DWELLING_________________________________________ 
(Street) 
               ____________________________________  
________________________________   
 
 
 
 
(Tax Map Block)  
 
 
 
 
(Lot No.) 
3. 
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON PREPARING PLAN: 
NAME________________________________________________________________ 
ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________          
PHONE NUMBER______________________________________________________ 
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT____________________________________________ 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE) 
REMARKS: 
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT REQUIRED? 
YES (SEE ATTACHED PERMIT) 
NO 
 
 HEIGHT OF BUILDING (PER 250-2.2.) PROVIDED  
           YES 
 
NO 
 
TOTAL IMPROVED LOT COVERAGE (PER 250-2.2) PROVIDED   YES 
 
NO 
 
 
FEES: $400________  
$150__________ 
$50__________ 
 
(Greater Disturbance)  
            (Smaller Project) 
(Additional Inspection) 
 
REVIEW OF SURFACE GRADING PLAN: 
 
 
       Approved_______________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       Disapproved________________ 
______ _________________________  
 
 
       Returned for Revisions______________ 
          BOROUGH ENGINEER 
 
FINAL INSPECTION OF SURFACE GRADING: 
       
        Approved_______________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Disapproved_______________ 
__________________________________ 
 
 
        Returned for Revisions_______________ 
          BOROUGH ENGINEER  
                   
 
        Notified_____________ 
 


EXCERPT FROM ORDINANCE # 08-41 
 
SURFACE GRADING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL ZONES 
 
In order to protect against adverse consequences from surface water runoff; a Surface Grading Plan is required for any proposed 
residential lot improvements that includes land disturbance, excavation, placement of fill, or changes to the existing surface grades.  
The Surface Grading Permit shall be considered a “prior approval” under the Uniform Construction Code, and no construction permit 
shall be issued unless the Applicant has obtained a Surface Grading Permit.  The Surface Grading Plan shall be prepared by a 
Professional Engineer and/or Architect licensed in the State of N.J, unless land disturbance is less than one thousand (1000) sq. ft., 
and land disturbance for the purpose of constructing a building addition to an existing residential dwelling is less than 600 sq.ft., then 
the plan may be prepared and submitted by a homeowner; provided sufficient technical information is included.  In addition to the 
conditions listed above, any Surface Grading Plan that proposes land disturbance greater than 5,000 sq.ft. shall be submitted with 
an approved Soil Erosion and Control Plan issued and approved by the Morris County Soil Conservation District.  Any Surface 
Grading Plan proposing construction of a new residential dwelling shall be submitted with an approved Soil Erosion and Control Plan 
or a Letter of Exemption from the Morris County Soil Conservation District.  Every application for a building permit involving 
excavation or change in grades for a single-family dwelling shall be accompanied by a Surface Grading Plan which has been 
submitted to and approved by the Engineering Department. 
 
Three copies of a signed Surface Grading Application and Plan shall be submitted.  For Surface Grading Plan requirements, please go 
to www.florhamparkboro.net, click “Borough Code” Tab, and open Chapter 250-7.1. 
 
Surface grading permit fee. 
(a)  A fee of $400 shall be imposed for each permit for any proposed land disturbance of greater than 1,000 square feet 
and any proposed land disturbance for the purpose of constructing a building addition to an existing residential 
dwelling greater than 600 square feet; otherwise, a fee of $150 shall be imposed for smaller projects. 
 
(b)  The fee shall cover the cost of a preliminary site visit, review of initial submission and one revision, issuance of surface 
grading plan approval, two random site inspections in addition to required inspections, and final approval of surface grading 
prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, temporary certificate of occupancy, or the release of any performance 
guarantee that may have been posted for incomplete site work. 
 
(c)  An additional fee of $50 for each review of plans with substantial revisions and each additional inspection other than 
those noted above shall be charged to the applicant. Fees shall be paid prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy or a 
temporary certificate of occupancy. 
 
Liability of applicant.  
The applicant is responsible for the prevention of damage to other properties, and personal injury, which may result from the activity 
requiring the surface grading permit. 
 
Violations. 
(a)  Any person who erects, constructs, alters, repairs, converts, maintains, or uses any building, structure, or land in violation 
of the requirements of this chapter or an approved surface grading permit shall, upon conviction thereof by any court 
authorized by law to hear and determine the matter, be liable for a fine of not less than $400 nor more than $2,000 or to 
imprisonment for a term of not more than 90 days, or both, as such court in its discretion may impose. Each day during or on 
which a violation occurs or continues shall be deemed a separate offense. 
 
(b)  If a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy is issued for a property prior to full compliance with a 
surface grading permit, and full compliance is not effected by a date set forth by the Borough Engineer, then continued 
occupancy of such property after such date shall constitute a use of such property in violation of this section. 
 
NOTE:  PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT AN INSPECTION OF THE SURFACE GRADING MUST BE 
MADE BY THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF AN OCCUPANCY PERMIT.  
THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF APPROVAL OF THE FINAL SURFACE 
GRADING BY THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF AN OCCUPANCY 
PERMIT.  REQUEST FOR FINAL INSPECTION MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.