Suffolk County grading and drainage controlled by town land disturbance permits and Suffolk County Pine Barrens Protection Act. Central Pine Barrens Core Preservation Area is largely off-limits to development. Compatible Growth Area requires hydrology review.
The NY Pine Barrens Protection Act (NY ECL 57-0101) created the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission. The 55,000-acre Core Preservation Area prohibits most new development to protect the sole-source aquifer beneath eastern Suffolk. The 47,500-acre Compatible Growth Area requires detailed hydrology, stormwater, and nitrogen-loading review via hardship or standard applications. Outside the Pine Barrens, town land disturbance permits are required for grading altering drainage patterns, typically triggered at 400-500 cubic yards or 5,000 square feet. All drainage must be retained on-site via drywells or recharge basins; discharge to neighboring property is prohibited under common law (and codified in most town codes).
Pine Barrens Act violations $10,000 per day and injunctive relief. Town grading violations $250-$2,500 per day plus restoration order.
Suffolk County, NY
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See how Suffolk County's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
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