Rough and Final Grading for New Developments in West Palm Beach, FL

Who This Service Is For

Rough and final grading services in Palm Beach County are essential for developers, general contractors, subdivision developers, and anyone preparing large sites for new construction projects throughout Palm Beach County, including Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, The Acreage, Loxahatchee, and other growing communities.

Whether you're developing a new subdivision in Wellington, a commercial complex in Royal Palm Beach, or a multi-phase residential project in Palm Beach, proper grading sequencing ensures site preparation is completed efficiently and meets all engineering specifications. We coordinate licensed contractors to handle both rough and final grading phases, navigating Palm Beach County Building Division, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) review, Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) compliance, and SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits with expertise.

Palm Beach County Development Grading Considerations

Grading for new developments in Palm Beach County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:

• Building Division Permits: All development within Palm Beach County must comply with Building Division permits for applicable building permits. Building permits must be obtained before beginning construction, and the Building Division reviews plans to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code and Palm Beach County requirements.
• Environmental Resources Management (ERM): Development grading may require Environmental Resources Management (ERM) review for projects affecting wetlands, protected species, or environmentally sensitive areas. ERM ensures that proposed developments comply with the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) and environmental protection requirements.
• Development Permits: Projects involving development work as described in Florida Statute 380.04 require a development permit prior to the issuance of a building permit. This is a critical prerequisite for development grading projects in Palm Beach County.
• Unified Land Development Code (ULDC): Palm Beach County's Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) regulates environmental activities and enforces requirements for development in environmentally sensitive areas, including flood zones and stormwater management systems. Development grading must comply with these requirements.
• Phased Grading Operations: Large developments require phased grading to coordinate with utility installation, road construction, and building schedules. Rough grading establishes general grades, while final grading is completed just before building construction. Grading must be sequenced properly with infrastructure work to meet Palm Beach County requirements.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Development grading must incorporate proper drainage and stormwater management to meet SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Palm Beach County Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) standards. As of June 28, 2024, new water quality performance standards were implemented. Grading must work in conjunction with retention areas and drainage systems.
• Flood Zone Compliance: Developments in flood zones must have building pads and infrastructure graded to specific elevations above Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This affects grading depth and may require additional fill material, particularly in coastal areas like Palm Beach, Jupiter, and West Palm Beach.
• High Water Table: Palm Beach County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects grading depth and compaction. Proper dewatering may be required, and building pads may need to be elevated above the water table for foundation stability. SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for dewatering activities affecting state waters. This is especially important in areas like Palm Beach, Jupiter, and coastal neighborhoods.
• Engineering Specifications: All grading must meet exact elevations and slopes specified in engineering drawings, typically within 0.1 feet of specified grades. Contractors must have the equipment and expertise to achieve precise elevations. A site plan and grading plan, prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer, must be submitted with the building permit application showing proposed elevations relative to BFE.
• Tree Protection Requirements: Palm Beach County requires tree protection for development activities, particularly important in established neighborhoods. Protected trees must be identified and preserved according to county standards, with Environmental Resources Management (ERM) review required for tree removal in environmentally sensitive areas.
• Permit Processing: Palm Beach County permit processing times vary based on project complexity and Environmental Resources Management (ERM) review requirements. Building Division and ERM review can add time to projects. We coordinate permit applications to minimize delays.

The Development Grading Process in Palm Beach County

Our coordinated approach ensures your development grading meets all specifications and regulatory requirements in Palm Beach County:

1. Project Review: We review your engineering drawings, site plans, and development schedule to understand grading requirements and identify any challenges. This includes coordinating with utility providers, Palm Beach County Building Division, and other contractors, and analyzing flood zone requirements and site conditions.
2. Development Permit Coordination: We help identify required development permits as described in Florida Statute 380.04, which must be obtained prior to the issuance of building permits for development grading projects in Palm Beach County.
3. Palm Beach County ERM Coordination: We help identify required Environmental Resources Management (ERM) review and coordinate with Palm Beach County ERM to ensure proposed development grading projects comply with the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) and environmental protection requirements.
4. Palm Beach County Permit Coordination: We help identify required grading permits including Building Division permits, SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for activities affecting state waters and wetlands, Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) compliance, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. We coordinate with Palm Beach County Building Division, ERM, SFWMD, and other regulatory agencies as needed.
5. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (graders, compactors, laser-guided systems) and experience for large-scale development grading in Palm Beach County, including expertise with high water table conditions and subdivision infrastructure requirements.
6. Rough Grading: Contractors perform initial earthmoving to achieve approximate elevations across the development site. Rough grading establishes general grades and prepares the site for utility installation and fine grading, accounting for Palm Beach County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
7. Utility Coordination: Grading is coordinated with utility installation to ensure proper sequencing. Utilities must be installed before final grading in most areas to avoid damage to graded surfaces. We coordinate with utility providers and ensure compliance with Palm Beach County requirements.
8. Final Grading: Precise grading work using laser-guided equipment to achieve exact elevations specified in engineering drawings. Final grading is completed just before building construction to ensure precise elevations, meeting Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements and flood zone compliance.
9. Final Inspection: We coordinate final grading inspections with Palm Beach County Building Division or municipal building departments, engineers, and building contractors to ensure all areas meet specifications, engineering requirements, and are ready for building construction.

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