How to Determine If Your Lot Needs Clearing Before Starting Construction

Key Takeaways

• If your lot has complications like steep slopes, poor drainage, or erosion indicators like exposed roots or bare soil patches, you may need the land cleared before construction can begin.
• Assess your soil stability and map out vegetation and terrain to determine if you need clearing.
• Looking into zoning laws, permit requirements, and utility placements can help you create a detailed plan to facilitate land clearing and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Consulting a reliable environmental specialist can help you accurately assess your lot’s clearing or grading needs and guarantee efficient site preparation.

Learning If You Need Lot Clearing Before Construction Begins

Land clearing for construction is crucial before starting most builds. This process may involve rock, brush, or tree removal to prepare the land for upcoming construction projects. In some cases, grading is needed to level out or shape the land after a land-clearing project.

You should evaluate the lot’s current state to determine what land-clearing services you may need. Work with a qualified environmental professional to test soil stability and map out obstacles like vegetation to get a better feel for what could impede upcoming construction projects and potentially cause delays or violations of environmental regulations from your municipality.

A high-quality environmental specialist can ensure you receive proper evaluations of your property’s condition before carrying out excavation, tree removal, and other site work you can rely on. Read through the considerations below to learn when to schedule land clearing for construction.

Evaluate Land Features and Conditions

Assessing the natural features throughout the property owner’s land is essential when trying to determine if lot clearing is required. Some examples of obstacles that should be considered during this evaluation are:

• Trees – If they are in the path of construction projects, large or diseased trees may need to be removed to foster a stable building site.
• Rocks – Large boulders or unusually rocky soil can interfere with foundations, requiring digging and excavation to avoid building complications.
• Uneven terrain – Substantial slopes or depressions in the ground may require leveling or shaping during the land grading process to create a stable construction foundation.

Tips for Evaluating Soil Stability and Grading Needs

Some noteworthy suggestions during the evaluation process include:

• If the land has steep slopes, consider grading services
• Search for erosion indicators like exposed roots or bare soil patches
• Observe rainwater’s movement patterns as it drains down your land
• Pinpoint existing water, sewer, and electrical connections
• Look for protected habitats that may be affected

Although the tips above may be helpful, consulting an environmental specialist who can accurately assess the lot’s grading needs is essential.

Map Out Existing Vegetation

In addition to looking at soil stability and form, identifying all of the trees, shrubs, and vegetation-related obstacles that may need to be removed is crucial for determining the level of site preparation you need. Some tips for evaluating plant life on your property for a land-clearing project include:

• Survey the size, health, and root systems of obstructive trees and shrubs
• Gauge whether tree removal may impact soil stability or erosion patterns
• Pinpoint any protected plant species that demand preservation

Aside from regulation demands, you should determine which vegetation should be maintained for aesthetic purposes or environmental benefits. Sometimes, preserving certain trees or shrubs can enhance landscaping plans and help people contribute to the ecological goals they hold dear.

Look Into Local Zoning Laws and Regulations

In Portland, Oregon, there are many zoning laws that regulate land clearing and construction. Some examples of key regulations include:

• Title 33, Chapter 33.635 governs most land clearing and grading actions in an attempt to preserve land suitability by minimizing environmental damage throughout Portland.
• Title 11, Trees often requires the responsible party to get a separate tree permit for tree removal outside of clearing or grading permits.
• Title 10 can mandate erosion, sediment, and pollutant control plans for applicable clearing or grading projects.
• Local zoning map regulations determine land use expectations and development standards within specific areas.

Researching local restrictions on tree removal, protected vegetation, and soil disturbance is a great way to remain compliant. However, choosing an experienced environmental specialist familiar with these regulations can also offer peace of mind.

Obtaining Necessary Permits

Many environmental companies can streamline permit application processes for land clearing and construction preparation, helping expedite many projects while maintaining legal compliance. 

Although each situation is unique, some examples of consequences of failing to comply with permit requirements are:

• Legal action, like fines and penalties
• Project delays from stop-work orders
• Environmental damage
• Decreased property value
• Restrictions or complications securing future permits

Considering the potential consequences above, it’s important not to start site work without the appropriate clearance.

Consider Utility Placement

Assessing existing utility lines and planning for future connections is essential to avoid interfering with the land-clearing project. Some steps you can implement to help pinpoint utility placement include:

• Checking records and utility maps
• Calling 811 before digging
• Inspecting the yard for utility markers
• Consulting local utility providers
• Brainstorming future expansion plans

The utility-related evaluation should be comprehensive; drainage, electricity, water, and sewage system pathways and accessibility should be factored into your overarching construction plan.

Moreover, strategically deciding the best placement for septic systems, wells, and drainage fields is needed to ensure compliance with health and environmental regulations. Thankfully, you can consult an environmental specialist to simplify this process.

Define Objectives for Land Use 

When debating whether or not to schedule a land-clearing project, you should establish clear goals for how you want the land to be used. Setting these expectations can help balance preservation and construction-related demands, making it easier to figure out what obstacles are worth getting rid of and what can stay.

You should also contemplate how you want to use your land later down the line. For instance, maybe a homeowner knows they will be interested in adding an extra guest room and an extended driveway in their front yard, or a business wants to build a new department wing soon. Tackling similar site preparation projects all at once can ultimately save you money and time by eliminating the need to schedule more services later.

Seek Guidance From Professional Land Clearing Contractors

There are many benefits of hiring professional land clearers, especially when paired against do-it-yourself (DIY) approaches that can present a variety of safety risks and other liabilities. The table below weighs a professional approach against a DIY one.

Tips for Selecting a Reliable Contractor

Some things you can try to facilitate selecting a high-quality environmental professional are:

• Leveraging referrals
• Reading online reviews
• Obtaining multiple quotes
• Assessing interactions during initial consultations

A dependable contractor will be thorough and perform a final review with you to show you that all planning aligns with construction and regulatory requirements before clearing begins.

How to Prepare for Land Clearing

Some things you should consider before starting a land-clearing project are:

• Environmental Impact – Since land clearing can disrupt habitats and cause soil erosion, it is important to implement sustainable practices like mulching and controlled tree removal.
• Safety – Try to identify potential hazards like falling trees, heavy equipment, and unstable ground.

You should also tailor your expectations by researching average prices and time sinks associated with land clearing for construction.

Set Cost Expectations

Although each project may have a unique price correlated to the amount of labor required, the table below illustrates general prices for land-clearing work throughout Portland, Oregon.

Some examples of ways you may be able to reduce costs include:

• Obtaining multiple quotes
• Repurposing cleared materials
• Renting equipment rather than
• Handling minor tasks independently
• Scheduling clearing during off-peak seasons
• Bundling services with contractors

Set practical expectations for the land clearing by contacting a professional with substantial experience.

Get Help Preparing Your Site for Construction from Alpha Environmental

Some examples of steps in land clearing for construction may include:

1. Testing soil conditions and site viability
2. Noting vegetation and tree removal candidates
3. Researching environmental regulations, zoning laws
4. Securing permits
5. Pinpointing underground utilities
6. Gauging the need for grading or leveling
7. Selecting appropriate clearing tools
8. Implementing erosion control methods
9. Properly disposing of cleared materials

Alpha Environmental is a trusted Portland-based ecological company with decades of site preparation experience, performing the tasks above and so much more during land-clearing projects. Our team can ensure your property is safe and ready for the construction projects you have planned.

Consult Alpha Environmental to learn how land clearing for construction can benefit your situation.