If you’re a homeowner in Upper Makefield, Newtown, or Solebury Township, and you’re planning to add a new patio, driveway, pool, or any other impervious surface, you’ve probably heard the horror stories: projects delayed for over a year due to stormwater management permitting issues.
We’re here to help you avoid that.
At Plant Design Group, we’ve helped dozens of clients in Bucks County navigate the stormwater permitting maze. By following the five critical steps below, we’ve helped clients shave off up to 15 months from the typical stormwater approval timeline.
Why You Need a Stormwater Management Permit in Bucks County
In Bucks County (and across Pennsylvania), adding impervious surfaces like concrete or stone can change how water runs off your property. Local and state regulations require stormwater management plans to protect natural resources, reduce flooding, and maintain water quality.Whether you’re in Newtown, Upper Makefield, or Solebury Township, stormwater permitting is mandatory for most significant property improvements. Here’s how to do it the right way.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Stormwater Permits in Upper Makefield, Newtown, or Solebury Township
1. Start with a Professional Soil Infiltration Test
Before anything else, schedule a soil infiltration test with a certified geotechnical engineer. This involves digging a test pit (usually with a backhoe), monitoring how quickly water drains, and producing a professional report.
Why it matters: This report determines where and how stormwater can be managed on your property — and affects all subsequent design decisions.
2. Get Complete, Stamped Engineering Drawings
Next, you’ll need detailed, stamped stormwater management drawings from a licensed engineer. These must include:
- Plot plan and topography
- Impervious surface calculations (before & after)
- Erosion and sediment control plans
- Design, Location and specs of stormwater systems (like infiltration beds or rain gardens)
- Access areas, construction notes, and more
Tip: Don’t submit incomplete or generic plans — it leads to costly delays and rejections.
3. Ensure Full Regulatory Compliance Before Submitting
Your stormwater plan must comply with:
- Township Zoning Codes
- Bucks County Conservation District
- PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)(if necessary)
- Special regulations may apply if you’re in a conservation management district, floodplain or riparian buffer zone
Pro Tip: One missed regulation can stall your application for months. We always cross-check and have phone call with the agencies before first submission and immediately after they have it in hand so we can double check they have a complete application.
4. Submit All Construction Documents & Licenses Together
Missing documents are a common reason for multi-month delays. Be sure to submit all of the following in one complete package:
- Contractor licenses
- Certificates of insurance
- Construction drawings
- Narrative summaries
TIP: Avoid delays by double-checking everything is included the first time and making sure all contractors are selected and qualified, but also insured with the appropriate licenses.
5. Handle Township Fees, Engineering Retainers, and Easements Upfront
Every township — whether it’s Upper Makefield, Newtown, or Solebury — will require:
- Permit application fees
- Engineering retainers
- Legal paperwork (if maintenance easements on stormwater features are involved, which they usually are)
Fast track tip: Pay all required fees and get paperwork started as early as possible to avoid bottlenecks in the review process.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Stormwater Permit in Bucks County?
With all steps done correctly and in the right order, expect about 3–6 months for approval. However, we’ve seen projects drag on for 12–18 months or more when applications are incomplete, out of sequence, or missing key documents.
Need Help with Stormwater Permitting in Upper Makefield, Newtown, or Solebury?
At Plant Design Group, stormwater permitting is part of what we do every day. From soil testing to full engineering plans and municipal submissions, we’ll help you:
- Avoid costly permitting delays
- Get approvals faster
- Design beautiful, code-compliant outdoor spaces, even if we need to value engineer the space to bring an otherwise in compliant space into compliance using our extensive experience and creative designs.
Get Your Project Started the Right Way
If you’re in Upper Makefield, Newtown, or Solebury Township and want to save time (and frustration) on your stormwater management permit, contact us today.
Plant Design Group – Bucks County’s Landscape Design + Build Experts
Serving: Upper Makefield, Newtown, Solebury, and surrounding areas
