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)