Glossary · Reading the business
Ground Disturbance
In short
Any activity that involves breaking or moving the soil, which can trigger environmental review, especially if hazardous materials are present.
What it means in a deal
If the business involves Ground disturbance or has in the past, your lender will likely require an Environmental Questionnaire or a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. This is critical to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions that could pose liabilities or affect loan approval.
Official sources
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Related terms
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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