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)