LAND OPERATIONS PERMIT

Land Operations Permits

A commercial land operations permit is required for the following work:

  • Site grading that:
    • Exceeds 50 cubic yards.
    • Is performed on a slope exceeding 25% with a depth of 5 feet or more.
    • Is performed for an easement for a public sewer, water main, storm drain or power line.
    • Is performed for an encroachment on or alteration of an existing drainage channel or watercourse systems.
  • Placing impermeable / semipermeable surfacing for an area exceeding 10,000 square feet.
  • Removal of Vegetation, Trees and/or Ground Cover that:
    • Exceeds 10,000 square feet.
    • Is performed on any slope exceeding 25%.
  • Surface mining exceeding 50 cubic yards.
  • Remediation of a landslide

Please see Permit Home for the definition of commercial structures and work types. Please see work not requiring a permit for work that can be performed without a PLI permit. Please visit our Contacts page for the Construction Inspector's contact information.

Work Scopes:

  • Site Work (Grading): excavation and/or fill.
  • Impermeable / Semipermeable Surfacing: installing impermeable or semipermeable surfacing.
  • Removal of Vegetation, Trees, and/or Ground Cover: removal of vegetation, trees, and/or ground cover.
  • Surface Mining: surface mining.
  • Construction of Private Roadway: construction of a roadway on private property and not regulated by DOMI.

Permit Process

See these web pages for additional information regarding the permitting process:

Please see Other Agency Coordination for processes related to other agencies that may relate to your permit scope.  For commercial land operations permits:

  • Zoning Development Review application submission is required for all land operations permits.
  • Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI)
    • Required to review transportation of materials over city streets. A route map shall be provided to DOMI.
  • Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA)
    • Required to confirm the land operations work does not impact PSWA infrastructure.
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