(A) General. The setbacks and other restrictions specified by this section are minimum and may be increased by the City Engineer or Building Official or by the recommendation of the civil engineer, the soil engineer or the engineering geologist, if necessary for safety and stability, to prevent damage to adjacent properties from deposition or erosion or to provide access for slope maintenance and drainage. Retaining walls may be used to reduce the required setbacks when approved by the City Engineer. All setbacks required by this section shall comply with all applicable zoning requirements under Title 17 of the code. If the zoning setback requirements exceed the setback requirements in this section, the zoning setbacks shall govern.
(B) Design standards for setbacks.
(1) The tops and toes of slopes shall be setback from the outer boundaries of the grading permit area, including easements, in accordance with Figures A and B of this section.
(2) Setbacks between graded slopes (cut or fill) and structures shall be provided in accordance with Figures A and B of this section.
(3) A usable side yard of at least five feet from any building wall shall be provided to the top or toe of a slope unless waived by the City Engineer.
(4) Lot lines shall be located at the top of slopes whenever possible.
FIGURE A
TABLE A-1 MINIMUM SETBACK FROM ADJACENT SLOPE
| |||||
H (Height-Ft) | a | b | c | d | e |
0<6 | 2' | 5' | 3' | 5' | 3' |
6' to 14' | H/2 or 5' (max) | 5' | H/2 | H/2 (5' min) | 3' |
14' to 30' | 5' | H/2 (10' max) | H/2 | H/2 (10' max) | 6' |
30'+ | 5' | 10' max | 15' max | 10' max | 6' |
Notes:
1. PL means property line. PB means permit boundary. MS means manufactured surface.
2. Table A-1 applies to manufactured slopes and 2:1 (or steeper) natural slopes. Setbacks from natural slopes flatter than 2:1 shall meet the approval of the City Engineer.
3. "b" may be reduced to a five foot minimum if an approved drainage device is used; roof gutters and downspouts may also be required.
4. "b" may be reduced to less than five feet if no drainage is conveyed on one side and if roof gutters are included.
5. If the slope between "a" and "b" is replaced by a retaining wall, "a" may be reduced to zero and "b" shall remain as shown in Table A-1. The height of the wall shall be governed by zoning regulations.
6. "b" shall be measured from the face of the structure to the top of the slope.
7. "d" is measured from the lower outside edge of the footing, along a horizontal line to the face (daylight) of the slope. Under certain circumstances, "d" may be reduced as recommended in a soils report and approved by the Building Official.
FIGURE B
TABLE B-1 MINIMU M SETBAC KS FROM RETAINI NG WALLS | ||
H (Height - Feet) | Hw (Height of wall) | f |
TABLE B-1 MINIMU M SETBAC KS FROM RETAINI NG WALLS | ||
H (Height - Feet) | Hw (Height of wall) | f |
0 to 6' | 3' maximum | 5' minimum |
6' to 8' | 4' | 5' minimum |
8' to 10' | 5' | 5' minimum |
10' to 12' | 6' (see note 3) | 6' |
12' to 30' | 6' (see note 3) | H/2 |
30'+ | 6' (see note 3) | 15' maximum |
Notes:
1. The use of a retaining wall to reduce setbacks must be approved by the City Engineer.
2. In limited situations, "f' may be reduced to zero feet if allowed by the Planning Director and if the Building Official approves a combination structure/retaining wall after submittal and review of structural calculations from a registered Civil Engineer or Structural Engineer and after the City Engineer approves any necessary drainage devices.
3. "Hw" is the height of the retaining wall measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall. The maximum height of retaining walls for developer initiated projects shall be four feet unless otherwise approved by the Planning Department. Wall heights greater than six feet may also be approved on a case-by-case basis as approved by the City Engineer.
(Ord. 3378 § 5 (part), 2023; Ord. 2568 § 1, 2002.