St. Louis County Department of Public Works Division of Code Enforcement RESIDENTIAL ORDINARY LAND DISTURBANCE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS This guideline is intended to provide a homeowner/contractor with the basic information needed to apply for a permit to conduct an ordinary land disturbance on a development for or of detached single family dwellings, detached two family dwellings, or multiple single family dwellings (townhouses). A Land Disturbance Permit is required for any clearing, rough grading (cutting and/or filling), excavating, finish grading, or any related work, which reshapes the ground surface or otherwise results in the removal and/or destruction of natural vegetation and/or results in the ground surface being exposed. A land disturbance permit is required for any disturbance in the unincorporated areas of St. Louis County and in Municipalities that contract with St. Louis County for land disturbance and building plan review and inspection service (For contracting Municipalities see Municipal Contract Matrix at www.stlouisco.com/YourGovernment/CountyDepartments/PublicWorks ). There are two different types of a land disturbance permits: a. An Ordinary Land Disturbance (OLD) is any land disturbance involving less than one acre (43,560 square feet) of land. b. A Major Land Disturbance (MLD) is any land disturbance activity involving one acre or more of land or a site involving less than one acre that is part of a proposed development that will ultimately disturb one acre or more of land. Refer to the web site listed above for additional information on permits and other requirements pertaining to a Major Land Disturbance. The following work does not need a Land Disturbance Permit: 1. Any emergency activity that is immediately necessary for the protection of life, property, or natural resources. 2. Existing farming, nursery and agricultural operations conducted as a permitted or accessory use. 3. Land disturbance activities involving less than 30 cubic yards of earth/soil moved and less than 2000 square feet of disturbed area provided the Land Disturbance Activity is for the improvement of the property. Erosion and sediment control measures shall be provided when necessary, until grass or other vegetation is established. 4. Removal of existing or dying grass or similar vegetation by disturbing not more than 10,000 square feet and re-sodding or re-seeding with new grass or K:\Permdata\Plan Review\HANDOUTS RESTORED\HANDOUTS\Res. Land Disturbance Permit Req.docx 06/14/11, revised 10/31/11, 01/13/15, 7/15/15
Page 1 of 4