Cedar Fort council reviews excavation and grading permit language; seeks exemptions for small residential work

S2 told the council the current fee schedule omits some permit items and suggested clarifying definitions for excavation and grading permits. He said most application fees in similar towns run roughly $35–$50 and asked the council to consider whether residential, personal use should be exempt while commercial development and subdivision work remain permitted and inspected.

Council members discussed a common 2-foot threshold: if grade or elevation changes exceed two feet, a drainage plan and permit would be required. S1 described a recent home project and said requiring permits for modest backyard grade changes could be burdensome. S2 replied that significant grade changes affect drainage and neighboring properties, and that construction tied to subdivision roads should be treated as commercial development for permitting.

Officials also noted the need to instruct residents to call Blue Stakes (the utility-locating service) for curb-to-curb work but acknowledged the town’s limited mapping of lines where private contractors handle town water and fiber infrastructure. Council members asked staff to draft clearer code language distinguishing small residential projects from commercial or subdivision-related excavation and to propose a fee for council consideration at the next regular meeting.