Major Grading Permit Submission Guidance

Major grading permits are required for any earth disturbance exceeding 30,000 square feet or 500 cubic yards.

Minor grading permits are required for any earth disturbance exceeding 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards.

Major Grading Permit Process Infographic

Prior to submission of a major grading permit. Plans for the project must be approved to address stormwater management. All projects exceeding 5,000 sq ft. of earth disturbance (excluding single lot residential home builds that meet the requirements of the standard plan agreement) require an approved concept, development and improvement plan. Depending on the scale of the project, these plan types may be combined into one or two submissions. Please reach out to County engineering staff to determine submission requirements.

Step 1: Submit Application. Application is made electronically through the County’s online Application Portal. A cost estimate for sediment and erosion control will need to be uploaded to the application for review. If there is a structural stormwater practice proposed for the project, a separate cost estimate for stormwater management will be required. If public improvements (improvements to the County right-of-way) are proposed, a separate cost estimate for public improvements will be required. All applicable cost estimates will be uploaded separately to the major grading permit for review. County staff will create stormwater management and public improvement permits internally as required. 

Step 2: Completeness Check. County staff checks the application to confirm it includes the required information and documents. Cost estimate(s) will also be reviewed at this milestone.

  • If any submission documentation or requirements are missing, the applicant will receive an email that the application was sent back with a link to the online Application Portal.
  • No Comments or Corrections. If all required documentation is received and cost estimate(s) approved, application will move to Pay Application Fees.
  • Corrections Needed. If corrections are needed, the applicant will receive an email to review comments. The applicant will provide required information and resubmit on the online Application Portal under Applicant Actions.

Step 3: Pay Application Fees. When an application is deemed complete by County staff, the applicant will receive an email with instructions to pay the application fees.

Step 4: Surety Review. Once the fees have been paid, the total value of the approved cost estimates will need to be provided as a financial guarantee.  In addition, an applicable performance agreement will need to be provided in the original signed and notarized form. The financial guarantee can be secured in the form of cash, check, letter of credit, or bond. The selected method of guarantee payment will determine the type of performance agreement form utilized:

*Cost estimates for sediment and erosion control and stormwater management can be combined into one guarantee payment with one associated performance agreement. However, if using a bond, the entire amount of the approved cost estimate(s) cannot be secured by bond. The line-item amount for permanent seeding plus the 15% contingency as shown on the approved cost estimate for sediment and erosion control must be secured separately in the form of cash, check or letter of credit (see item 4a on page 2 of 6 of the Performance Agreement with Surety Bond Form).

Public improvement guarantees must use a separate performance agreement (type dependent on payment method), as they are administered by the Division of Public Works. The total as shown on the approved public improvement cost estimate can be secured using a bond.

Visit the Environmental Compliance page for examples, checklists, and surety bond documentation.

*Original signed and notarized documents and sureties must be submitted to the office for review. Electronic copies are not accepted.

Step 5: Agency Review. Following submission and approval of the financial guarantee, the application is reviewed by the appropriate agencies. Due dates are 1-week from the date the permit is assigned to the review agencies.

  • No Comments or Corrections. If there are no review comments, the application will move to Step 5 where the application is approved and the Major Grading Permit is issued.
  • Corrections Needed. If additional information or documentation is required, the applicant will receive an email to review staff comments and resubmit on the online Application Portal under Applicant Actions.

* A major grading permit will not be approved until the stormwater and public improvement permits have been issued. Stormwater permits require a Deed of Easement/Maintenance Covenants and Agreement to be recorded prior to stormwater permit issuance.  If you have any questions concerning the correct easement type, please reach out to County engineering staff.

Step 6: Permit Issued. Permit placard must be displayed on site at the main entrance to the project. Placard to be provided by the Environmental Compliance Inspector at the time of the preconstruction meeting.

Step 7: Inspections. Following permit issuance, a preconstruction meeting is required prior to any earthwork. To schedule a meeting, please contact staff at 240-608-5444.

Following the preconstruction meeting, all controls will need to be installed and inspected prior to earthwork commencing. Staff will conduct random inspections until permit closure. Please contact staff for consideration of a surety reduction.

Upon approval of the improvement plans and prior to issuance of the grading permit, a plumbing permit that covers all onsite private water, sewer and storm drain utility work is required. The application must be approved prior to start of construction for all proposed private portion of utilities including storm drains, water and sewer lines, monitoring manholes, hydrants, and any other on-site private utility work. Applications can be submitted by the Frederick County Licensed utility contractors on the online Application Portal.

Step 8: Application Complete. When the site is stabilized and all inspections pass, the permit will be closed and balance of surety released.