As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply. Terms not defined shall have the meanings customarily assigned them in "Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary", as amended.
APPROVAL: That, in the opinion of the building official, the proposed work or completed work conforms to this chapter.
AS GRADED: The extent of surface conditions on 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 a site.
CIVIL ENGINEER: A professional engineer registered in the state of Iowa 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 the evaluation, design and construction of civil works for the beneficial uses of humankind.
COMPACTION: The densification of a fill by mechanical means.
CUT: The portion of land surface or area from which earth material has been removed or will be removed by excavation.
EARTH MATERIAL: Any rock, natural soil or fill and/or any combination thereof.
ENGINEERED GRADING: Grading of five hundred (500) cubic yards or more and requires the services of a civil engineer to prepare and certify a grading plan and to inspect and certify the work completed.
EROSION: The wearing away of earth material as a result of the movement of wind, water, ice or any combination thereof.
EXCAVATION: The mechanical removal of earth material.
EXISTING GRADE: The grade prior to grading.
FILL: A deposit of earth material placed by mechanical, human made or other artificial means.
FINISHED GRADE: The final grade of the site which conforms to the approved plan.
GEOLOGIC FACTORS: Factors pertaining to rocks or rock formations as they might affect the stability of slopes.
GRADE: The vertical elevation of the ground surface.
GRADING: Any excavating or filling or a combination thereof and includes compaction.
OWNER: Any person, entity, business, firm, corporation, organization, association, partnership, venture or any combination thereof and any agent, fiduciary or representative thereof, who owns or purports to own land or real property located within Iowa City.
PERSON: Includes individual persons, user, operator, responsible party, entity, business, firm, corporation, association, partnership, venture or any combination thereof and any agent, representative or fiduciary thereof.
PROPERTY: Land and real property, whether public or private, and includes any and all interests in real property, whether legal, equitable or any combination thereof.
PUBLIC WAY: Any area dedicated to the public, including but not limited to street right of way, sidewalks, alleys and utility easements.
REGULAR GRADING: Grading involving less than five hundred cubic yards (500 cu yd) which does not require the services of a civil engineer.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Any user, possessor, operator, permittee or person who operates, possesses, occupies, manages or owns real property located within Iowa City. Responsible party shall also include the person responsible for assuring compliance with this chapter if notice of violation or noncompliance has been issued to that person by the building official.
ROUGH GRADE: The stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.
SITE: Any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof under the same ownership, where grading is performed or permitted.
SLOPE: An inclined ground surface, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical distance.
SOIL: Naturally occurring superficial deposits overlaying bedrock.
STEEP SLOPE: Property on which the natural terrain is at a slope of twenty five percent (25%) (4 horizontal to 1 vertical) or steeper.
TERRACE: A relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface of drainage and maintenance purposes. (1978 Code §8-17; amd. Ord. 95-3703, 12-19-1995)