These steep slope protection requirements shall apply to development, earth moving activity, and site clearing within the “Steep Slope Protection Area”, as shown on the City of Philadelphia Steep Slopes Map maintained by the Commission. The steep slopes map shown below is for illustrative purposes only.
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(b) Exceptions.
These steep slope protection requirements shall not apply to the following:
(.1) Lots which do not include slopes of fifteen percent (15%) or greater.
(.2) Development, earth moving activity, or site clearing with a cumulative total limit of a disturbance area of 1,400 sq. ft. or less, excluding the earth disturbance area within the public street.
(.3) Stream restoration projects. For the purposes of this subsection, stream restoration projects are defined as activities that satisfy all of the following conditions:
(.a) The applicant has obtained a general permit or a water obstruction and encroachment permit for the project from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to Title 25, Chapter 105 or Chapter 106 of the Pennsylvania Code or a Joint Permit pursuant to section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act.
(.b) The project is intended to restore a watercourse’s natural forms and processes, reduce erosion and sedimentation, or mitigate the effects of erosion on water or sewer infrastructure.
(.c) The project does not increase the area of impervious coverage.
(c) Review and Approval by the Commission.
(.1) Applications for a permit under this Zoning Code are subject to prerequisite approval from the Commission per § 14-301(3)(c)(.1)(.j). The Department shall not issue a zoning permit for an application that is subject to these steep slope protection requirements until the Commission approves the zoning permit application as meeting all applicable requirements of this Zoning Code.
(.2) The Commission may require that the applicant submit a topographic survey, prepared by a licensed engineer or surveyor, confirming the locations of slopes of fifteen percent (15%) or greater, but less than twenty-five percent (25%) and twenty-five percent (25%) or greater, as well as a plan showing the limit of earth moving or site clearing activities.
(d) Restrictions on Disturbance.
(.1) On those portions of the lot where the slope of the land is fifteen percent (15%) or greater but less than twenty-five percent (25%), site clearing or earth moving activities shall be permitted only in conformance with an earth moving plan described in § 14-704(2)(e) below.
(.2) On those portions of the lot where the slope of land is twenty-five percent (25%) or greater, no site clearing or earth moving activity is permitted.
Where an earth moving plan is required pursuant to any provision of this Zoning Code, that plan must be prepared by a professional engineer who is licensed in the state of Pennsylvania, in accordance with regulations approved by the Commission, and must set forth the measures by which erosion and sedimentation are to be controlled during the earth moving and construction process. Such plans shall be filed with and approved by the Commission before the Department may issue a zoning permit. A professionally-sealed earth moving plan must be maintained on site for the duration of earth moving and construction, and must be available for inspection by the City during normal business hours.
Notes
| 837 | |
| 838 | Amended, Bill No. 220418 (approved November 30, 2022). |
| 839 | Amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021). |