A. Compliance Required: Unless otherwise recommended in the approved engineering, soils and/or geology report, fills shall conform to the provisions of this section.
B. Fill Location: Fill slopes shall not be constructed on natural slopes steeper than three and five-tenths horizontal to one vertical (3.5:1), except where the civil engineer determines the slope to be stable.
C. Preparation Of Ground: The ground surface shall be prepared to receive fill by removing vegetation, noncomplying fill, topsoil and other unsuitable materials and by scarifying the surface to provide a bond with the new fill. Where slopes are steeper than five horizontal to one vertical (5:1) and the height of the fill location is greater than ten feet (10'), the ground surface shall be prepared by benching into material deemed competent for such benching by a civil engineer. The bench under the top of fill on a slope steeper than five horizontal to one vertical (5:1) shall be at least ten feet (10') wide. The area beyond the top of fill shall either be sloped for sheet overflow or a paved drain provided. When fill is to be placed over a cut, the bench under the top of fill shall be at least ten feet (10') wide. However, in such event, the cut shall be approved by a civil engineer as a suitable foundation for fill.
D. Fill Material: Vegetative materials shall not be permitted in fills except in the top one foot (1') of fill. Except as permitted by the building official, no rock or similar irreducible material shall be placed within two feet (2') of the finished grade. Where an excessive amount of irreducible material is found, it may be placed in the fill in horizontal layers not exceeding four feet (4') in thickness. Each layer shall be leveled and smoothed by choking the surface of the irreducible material with soil or fine fragments of rock. (1978 Code §8-17)
E. Compaction: All fills on slopes of six horizontal to one vertical (6:1) or steeper shall be compacted to a minimum of ninety percent (90%) of maximum density as determined by section J107 of the building code or equivalent ASTM standards, as amended. (Ord. 04-4146, 11-16-2004)
F. Slope: The slope of fill surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended use. Fill slopes shall be no steeper than three and five-tenths horizontal to one vertical (3.5:1) unless the owner or responsible party furnishes a soils or a geology report or both, stating that the site has been investigated and that based on their best information, knowledge and belief, fill at a slope steeper than three and five-tenths horizontal to one vertical (3.5:1) will nonetheless be stable and will not create a hazard to life or property.
G. Drainage And Terracing: Drainage and terracing shall be provided for all fills. Areas above fill slopes and all terrace surfaces shall be graded and finished, as required by section 17-8-11 of this chapter. (1978 Code §8-17)