Ulster County, NY Environmental Rules: Grading & Drainage (2026)

Grading and drainage in Ulster County is regulated by local building codes and site plan review. Town of New Paltz §131-3 requires a grading permit for earthwork over 50 cubic yards or disturbance over 5,000 sq ft. City of Kingston §275-12 requires grading review over 100 cubic yards or 10,000 sq ft. Town of Saugerties requires Planning Board review for any grading over 1,000 sq ft in environmentally sensitive areas. Common-law drainage rules in New York follow the Reasonable Use doctrine — a property owner may alter drainage provided it does not unreasonably harm adjoining owners (Kossoff v. Rathgeb-Walsh, 1960). Civil liability attaches when altered drainage damages neighboring property. NYS Uniform Code §R405 and IBC §1804 require positive grading away from foundations — minimum 6-inch drop in 10 ft. NYS SPDES SWPPP required for earthwork exceeding 1 acre. NYC DEP Watershed Rules (18 NYCRR §18-39) require additional grading/drainage review in Shandaken, Olive, Hardenburgh, Denning. Catskill slopes and Shawangunk terrain with steep grades (>15%) typically trigger additional engineered drainage including check dams, level spreaders, and rock-lined swales. Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District provides technical review. Private wells and septic systems (SCDHS Article VI equivalent: Ulster County Department of Health) must maintain grading setbacks from drainage courses.