Section
162.010 Title
162.020 Purpose
162.030 Definitions
162.040 Permit - required - exceptions
162.050 Permit - prohibited when
162.060 Permit required
162.070 Permit - types designated
162.080 Soil investigation report required
162.090 Permit application
162.100 Grading plan - requirements
162.110 Geotechnical reports
162.120 Landscaping and irrigation
162.130 Haul route
162.140 Additional data to be provided
162.150 Grading application - expiration - extension
162.160 Grading permit - expiration - extension
162.170 Permit denial
162.180 Permit - temporary suspension
162.190 Permit revocation
162.200 Fees - plan checking fees
162.210 Fees - geotechnical report review
162.220 Fees - grading permit
162.230 Fees - inspection
162.240 Fees - work commenced before permit issued
162.250 Fees - exemption
162.260 Fees - additional requirement
162.270 Fees - refunds
162.280 Security - cash deposit - corporate surety bond
162.290 Permit - work authorization
162.300 Additional permits
162.310 Permit - use
162.320 Right of entry - indemnification
162.330 Liability
162.340 Permittee responsibility - adjacent property protection
162.350 Protective devices - maintenance
162.360 Permittee responsibility - utilities protection
162.370 Permittee responsibility - permit contents
162.380 Environmental review - required
162.390 Environmental review - Significant impact determination
162.400 Environmental review - Environmental impact report waiver
162.410 Environmental review - Environmental impact report required when
162.420 Design responsibility
162.430 Design responsibility - transfer
162.440 Grading operation - hours permitted
162.450 Cut slope requirements
162.460 Fill slope requirements
162.470 Berms
162.480 Setbacks - generally
162.490 Setback - requirements
162.500 Setbacks - design standards
162.510 Drainage and terracing - generally
162.520 Drainage and terracing - terraces and drains
162.530 Drainage and terracing - interceptor drains
162.540 Subsurface drainage
162.550 Surface drainage
162.560 Drainage easement
162.570 Erosion control - required
162.580 Erosion control plan
162.590 Erosion control plan - plan information - required
162.600 Erosion control system standards
162.610 Depositing materials on streets prohibited
162.620 Clean up of materials on streets required
162.630 Dust control requirements
162.640 Adjoining property - protection
162.650 Inspection - initial
162.660 Inspection - types required
162.670 Final inspection - release of security, maintenance
162.680 Inspection - noncompliance notification
162.690 Inspection - specials
162.700 Inspection - stop work orders
162.710 Work completion
162.720 Use permits - variances
162.730 Nuisance declaration
162.999 Penalty
The purpose of the grading chapter is to establish an official set of standards regulating the design and construction of building sites and the development of property by grading; to regulate the alteration of the ground surface to protect and preserve the public health, safety, general welfare, aesthetic value and natural resources; to encourage contoured grading in conformance with natural to encourage contoured grading in conformance with natural terrain; to minimize differential settlement, slipping or sliding of earth; to protect adjacent properties from damage caused by blockage, diversion or channeling of natural run-off waters to require engineering and geological analysis of soil conditions; to provide erosion control and proper drainage; to provide a basis for the design of footings, floor slabs and structures to be erected on parcels of land whose natural topography has been altered; to establish an administrative procedure for issuance of permits; to provide for approval of plans and inspection of grading construction; to supersede existing local practices and conventions arising from and related to grading; to advance the public health, safety and welfare by complimenting the local requirement and implementation of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs), plans for the management and reduction of particulate matter with a diameter of less than ten micrometers ("PM10"), and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") plans; and to provide for the enforcement of the requirements contained in this chapter.
(Ord. 1449, passed 10-19-05)
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPROVAL. A written professional opinion by the responsible principal of record concerning the satisfactory progress and completion of the work under this purview unless it specifically refers to the Director of Public Works.
APPROVED PLANS. The most current grading plans which bear the signature of approval of the Director of Public Works.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY. A facility which spends the majority of its time in the field of applied soil mechanics and foundation engineering; which is equipped to perform and certify the tests and procedures required in this chapter; and which operations are conducted under the responsible supervision of a registered civil engineer.
AS-GRADED. The surface configuration upon completion of grading.
BEDROCK. In-place solid rock.
BENCH. A relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed.
BORROW. Earth material acquired from an off- site location for use in grading on a site.
CITY ENGINEERING. The Director of Public Works or authorized representatives.
CIVIL ENGINEER. A professional engineer registered in the State of California to practice in the field of civil engineering.
CIVIL ENGINEERING. The application of the knowledge of the forces of nature, principles of mechanics, and the properties of materials to evaluation, design and construction of civil works for the beneficial uses of mankind.
CLEARING, BRUSHING AND GRUBBING. The removal of vegetation (grass, brush, trees and similar plant types) by mechanical means.
COMPACTION. The densification of a fill by mechanical or other acceptable means.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. The city's Director of Public Works and/or his authorized designee or representative.
EARTH MATERIAL. Any rock, natural soil, or fill, and/or any combination thereof.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIC REPORT. A report prepared under the supervision of an engineering geologist providing a geologic map of a site, information on geologic measurements and exploration performed on the site and surrounding area and providing recommendation for remedial measures necessary to provide a geologically stable site for its intended use.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST. A geologist certified by the State of California to practice engineering geology.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY. The application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soil for use in the design of civil work.
EROSION. The process by which the ground surface is worn away as a result of the movement of wind or water.
EROSION CONTROL SYSTEM. Any combination of desilting facilities, retarding basins and erosion protection, including effective planting and the maintenance thereof, to protect adjacent private property, watercourses, public facilities and receiving waters from the deposition of sediment or dust.
EVACUATION. Any act by which soil, sand, gravel or rock is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed or relocated, and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
FAULT. A fracture in the earth's crust along which movement has occurred. A fault is considered active if movement has occurred within the past eleven thousand years (Holocene geologic time).
FILL OR EMBANKMENT. A deposit of soil, sand, gravel, rock or other material placed by artificial means.
GEOHYDROLOGY. All groundwater, information, well development requirements and seepage evaluations, appropriate to site development.
GEOTECHNICAL REPORT. A report which contains all appropriate soil engineering, geologic, geohydrologic, and seismic information, evaluation, recommendations and findings. This type report combines both engineering geology and soil engineering reports.
GRADE. The vertical elevation of the ground surface.
(1) EXISTING GRADE. The ground surface prior to grading.
(2) FINISH GRADE. The final grade of the site which conforms to the approved plan.
(3) NATURAL GRADE or NATURAL GROUND. The ground surface unaltered by artificial means.
(4) ROUGH GRADE. The stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.
GRADING. Any process of excavation or filling or combination thereof.
GRADING CONTRACTOR. A contractor licensed and regulated by the State of California who specializes in grading work or is otherwise licensed to do grading work.
GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS OF LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT. A guideline containing information concerning the design, installation, and maintenance of landscape and irrigation systems, as per city policy or as may be adopted by the City Council by resolution.
IMPROVEMENTS. Landscaping, landscape irrigation equipment, man-made drainage devices such as terrace drains, dry wells, retaining walls, soil membranes, geotextiles, etc. Improvements may be to public or private property.
KEY. A designed compact fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the toe of a proposed fill slope.
KEYWAY. An excavated trench into competent earth material beneath the toe of the proposed fill slope.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT. A landscape architect registered by the State of California.
LANDSLIDE. The downward and outward movement of soil, sand, gravel, rock or fill or a combination thereof.
OWNER. Any person, agency, firm or corporation having a legal, possessory or equitable interest in a given real property.
PERMIT, FINISH GRADING. Finish grading permit a permit that is issued on the basis of approved plans which show the precise locations of structures, finish elevations, drainage details and all on-site improvements on a given property.
PERMIT, ROUGH GRADING. A permit that is issued on the basis of approved plans which show the precise locations of structures, finish elevations, drainage details and all on-site Improvements on a given property.
PERMITTEE. Any person or owner to whom a permit is issued pursuant to this code.
REFERENCES. Unless indicated otherwise, references in this code to civil engineer, soil engineer, geologist, landscape architect and engineering geologist refer to the professional person(s) preparing, signing or approving the project plans and specifications which comprise the approved grading or landscape-irrigation plan.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AREA.
(1) Watercourses;
(2) Scenic corridor zones or other area officially designated by federal, state or local governments as scenic areas;
(3) Areas of severe geologic hazard;
(4) Hillside areas;
(5) Archeological sites.
RETAINING WALL. A wall designed to resist the lateral displacement of soil or other materials.
SITE. Any lot or parcel of land or contiguous lots or parcels, or combination thereof, where grading is performed or permitted.
SLOPE. An inclined ground surface of a fill, excavation, or natural terrain, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical distance. The height of a slope is the vertical measurement taken from the toe of the slope to the top of the slope.
SLOPE STABILITY.
(1) GROSS STABILITY. The factor of safety against failure of slope material located below a surface approximately three to four feet deep, measured from and perpendicular to the slope face.
(2) SURFICIAL STABILITY. The factor of safety against failure of the outer three to four feet of slope material measured from and perpendicular to the slope face.
SOIL. Earth material of whatever origin, overlying bedrock and may include the decomposed zone of bedrock which can be readily excavated by mechanical equipment.
SOIL ENGINEER. A civil engineer duly registered in the State of California, who:
(1) Is engaged in the practice of civil engineering and spends a majority of his or her time in the field of applied soil mechanics and foundation engineering;
(2) Has at least four years of responsible practical experience in the field of applied soil mechanics;
(3) Has access to an adequately equipped soils testing laboratory;
SOIL ENGINEERING. The application of the principles of soil mechanics in the investigation, evaluation, and design of civil works involving the use of earth materials and the inspection and testing of the construction thereof.
SOILS ENGINEERING REPORT. A report prepared under the responsible supervision of a soils engineer which includes:
(1) Preliminary information concerning engineering, properties of soil and rock on a site prior to grading, describing locations of these materials and providing recommendations for preparation of the site for its intended use;
(2) Final grading report including information on site preparation, compaction of fills placed, providing recommendations for structural design and approving the site of its intended use.
STOCKPILE. A temporary, uncompacted fill or embankment placed by artificial means, which is designated or intended to be moved or relocation at a later date.
SUITABLE MATERIAL. Any soil or earth material which, under the criteria of this chapter or under the criteria of an approved geotechnical report, is suitable for use as fill or for any other intended purpose.
SULFATE (SO4). A chemical compound occurring in soil or water, which in concentration has a corrosive effect on ordinary portland cement concrete and some metals.
TERRACE. A relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and maintenance purposes.
UNIFORM BUILDING CODE (U.B.C.). The latest edition of the UBC adopted by the City of Indio, published by the International Conference of Building Officials.
UNSUITABLE MATERIAL. Any soil or earth material having properties or characteristics which, under the criteria of this chapter or under the criteria continued in any approved geotechnical report, make it unsuitable for use as fill or for any other intended use. There properties or characteristics include but are not limited to: organic content of the material exceeds 3%; rock diameters exceeding eight inches, the presence of concrete or asphalt, or the presence of expansive soils within four feet of finish grade of any area intended or designed as a location for a building.
(Ord. 1449, passed 10-19-05)
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