Excavation and grading in Mt. Juliet

When do Mt. Juliet’s steep-slope rules apply?

For residential development, at slopes of 18% or more, under section 12-102 of the city code as published online. Residential lots of 2 acres or less on that ground are “critical lots,” which need an engineer’s plan. Nonresidential sites with natural slopes of 20% or more have to show they’ve minimized disturbance. A slope that looks gentle from the road can measure higher than you’d expect, so put a level on it.

Can fill go in a flood area?

Only under limits. Section 12-103 says filling in a special flood hazard area needs a sealed plan, and the fill may not exceed the material removed. Encroachments can’t raise the base flood elevation by more than 0.1 foot. In practice, you can move dirt around in a flood area but can’t add to it, so a house pad raised on imported fill doesn’t work there. Check the map before ordering a load.

What do you do here?

Newer subdivisions bring drainage calls: French drains, sump pumps and yard regrading where water sits between houses. Building lots bring pads, excavation and retaining walls, especially on those critical lots, where a wall may be what lets the plan work. We grade to the engineer’s plan once it’s drawn, and the laser keeps it honest.

How far is it?

Mt. Juliet is 19.1 miles from Brentwood in a straight line, in Wilson County. Hermitage and Old Hickory are on the way, at 13.9 and 17.2, and Lebanon is further out at 27. The grading permit trigger isn’t something we could confirm from the code online, so we’d check with the city on your site. Send a picture and the address.