What Is Site Development? A Complete Guide for Southwest Washington Property Owners

When people think about construction, they often picture the building itself.

But before the foundation can be poured or the building can be delivered, the property usually needs to be prepared.

That process is called site development.

Site development is the process of preparing land for construction by completing the earthwork, access, utilities, drainage, grading, and other infrastructure necessary for the project.

For property owners in Lewis County, Cowlitz County, and surrounding Southwest Washington, understanding the site-development process can make planning a new project much easier.

What Does a Site Development Contractor Do?

A site-development contractor prepares the ground and infrastructure needed for construction.

Depending on the project, this can include:

• Land clearing

• Demolition

• Excavation

• Earthmoving

• Cut and fill

• Grading

• Building pads

• Roads

• Parking lots

• Underground utilities

• Septic systems

• Stormwater systems

• Drainage

• Foundation excavation

• Final grading

Not every project requires every service.

A commercial development may involve extensive earthwork and utility installation, while a rural homesite may focus on clearing, driveway construction, septic, utilities, and building-pad preparation.

Step 1: Understand the Property

Before construction begins, the site needs to be evaluated.

Important considerations can include:

• Topography

• Existing vegetation

• Soil conditions

• Drainage

• Wetlands

• Critical areas

• Existing structures

• Property access

• Utilities

• Water supply

• Septic feasibility

• Required permits

Lewis County recommends beginning development planning with its Master Site Review process for applicable projects. The county uses this process to review zoning and critical-area requirements and identify permits that may be necessary.

Step 2: Clearing and Demolition

Once the project is properly planned, the property may need to be cleared.

Clearing can include:

• Trees

• Brush

• Stumps

• Existing vegetation

• Debris

If existing structures need to be removed, demolition may also be part of the project.

Proper planning is important because cleared material may need to be processed, hauled, burned where legally permitted, or disposed of.

Step 3: Excavation and Earthwork

Excavation changes the existing terrain to create the elevations required by the project.

This can include:

• Building excavation

• Utility trenches

• Road excavation

• Parking areas

• Drainage structures

• Septic systems

• Foundations

Large commercial projects may require significant mass excavation and cut-and-fill operations.

Step 4: Grading

Grading establishes the final elevations and slopes required by the plans.

Proper grading is critical for:

• Buildings

• Roads

• Parking lots

• Drainage

• Stormwater

• Driveways

• Landscaping

The objective isn't simply to make the property flat.

The objective is to create the correct elevations and drainage patterns for the finished development.

Step 5: Utilities

A developed property needs infrastructure.

Depending on the project, this can include:

• Water

• Sewer

• Septic

• Storm drainage

• Fire protection

• Electrical

• Communications

Utility trenches must be installed at the correct locations, grades, depths, and separations according to the applicable plans and specifications.

Step 6: Roads and Access

Construction equipment, employees, customers, deliveries, emergency vehicles, and residents all need access.

Road and driveway construction can involve:

1. Excavating the existing surface

2. Preparing the subgrade

3. Addressing drainage

4. Installing appropriate base material

5. Compacting the material

6. Installing the finished surface

The exact design depends on the project.

Step 7: Stormwater and Drainage

Rainwater is an important consideration in Southwest Washington.

Construction can change how water moves across a property.

A properly designed development needs to account for runoff, drainage, erosion, and stormwater requirements.

For regulated construction sites, Washington's current Construction Stormwater General Permit requires applicable operators to implement stormwater pollution-prevention measures and obtain coverage when the permit applies.

Site Development Is More Than Excavation

Excavation is an important part of site development, but site development is much broader.

The goal is to coordinate the entire site so that the finished property works as intended.

At Rockridge, we approach projects with the understanding that grading, drainage, utilities, access, foundations, and other site components need to work together.

Serving Southwest Washington

Rockridge General Engineering & Excavation is based in Toledo and serves Lewis County, Cowlitz County, and surrounding communities including Toledo, Winlock, Vader, Mossyrock, Chehalis, Centralia, Longview, Kelso, and Castle Rock.

Whether you are preparing a commercial property, rural homesite, agricultural project, or other development, proper site preparation is the foundation of successful construction.

Have a property you are planning to develop? Contact Rockridge General Engineering & Excavation to discuss your site-development needs.