Loading...
(Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
If at any stage of work on an excavation or fill the Department determines that further work as authorized by an existing permit is likely to endanger any property or public way, the Department may require as a condition to allow the work to continue that plans for such work be amended to include adequate safety precautions. Safety precautions may include, but shall not be limited to, specifying a flatter exposed slope or construction of additional drainage facilities, berms, terracing, compaction, cribbing, retaining walls or buttress fills, slough walls, desilting basins, check dams, benching wire mesh and guniting, rock fences revetments or diversion walls.
No person shall excavate or fill so as to cause falling rocks, soil or debris in any form to fall, roll, slide or flow onto adjoining properties.
91.7007.1. Restriction of Work During Rainy Season. (Amended by Ord. No. 172,592, Eff. 6/28/99, Oper. 7/1/99.) The period between October 1 and April 15 is hereby determined to be the period in which heavy rainfall normally occurs in the City of Los Angeles and is declared to be the “rainy season”. During this period no grading work in excess of 200 cubic yards (153 m3) shall be commenced on any single grading site under permit until an erosion control system has been approved and it has been demonstrated to the Department’s satisfaction that such grading work will not endanger life, limb, health, property or public welfare.
Whenever it appears that repair work to rectify substandard conditions and any grading project previously commenced pursuant to a permit issued by the Department will not be completed prior to the commencement of the rainy season, the Department may order and the permittee shall install temporary erosion control devices to protect the persons and property near such project. In addition, the Board of Public Works may direct the permittee to comply with the provisions of LAMC Section 61.02. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)
All hillside property owners or their agents shall submit erosion control plans to their district grading inspectors prior to October 1 for grading projects within unfinished grading work in excess of 200 cubic yards (153 m
3
) and sites with substandard conditions, unless specifically exempted by the grading inspectors.
91.7007.2. Duration of Work. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) No person shall conduct any grading excavation or filling, including the export or import of earth material, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on any day nor on Sunday at any time, except in emergencies as provided in LAMC Subsection 91.7005.4.
(Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.)
Grading operations, as indicated in LAMC Subsection 91.108.9, for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Department. Professional inspection of grading operations shall be provided by the civil engineer, soils engineer and the engineering geologist retained to provide such services in accordance with LAMC Subsection 91.7008.6 for engineered grading and as required by the Department for regular grading. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)
91.7008.1. Civil Engineer. The civil engineer shall provide professional inspection within such engineer’s area of technical specialty, which shall consist of observation and review as to the establishment of line, grade and surface drainage of the development area. If revised plans are required during the course of the work, they shall be prepared by the civil engineer.
Upon completion of hillside tract grading, grading work in excess of 5,000 cubic yards (3825 m3) of either cut or fill, or a combination thereof, and other grading work if deemed warranted by the Department, the civil engineer or land surveyor responsible for the design shall submit a dated as-graded plan to the Department for approval of all work covered by the grading permit(s) and shall include the following:
l. The plan shall be no more than one-inch equals 40 feet scale (25 mm equals 12 192 mm scale)and shall show the locations of streets, pads, slopes, structures, pertinent elevations, original contours and finished elevations, and other pertinent information required to accurately show the as-graded condition.
2. The plan shall bear the signature of the design civil engineer or land surveyor which shall certify the engineer or surveyor has inspected the site, prepared the as-graded plans and that the work within the engineer’s or surveyor’s area of responsibility was done in accordance with the final approved grading plan.
91.7008.2. Soils Engineer. The soils engineer shall provide professional inspection within such engineer’s area of technical specialty, which shall include observation during grading and testing for required compaction. The soils engineer shall provide sufficient observation during the preparation of the natural ground and placement and compaction of the fill to verify that such work is being performed in accordance with the conditions of the approved plan and the appropriate requirements of this division. Revised recommendations relating to conditions differing from the approved soils engineering and engineering geology reports shall be submitted to the owner, the Department and the civil engineer.
The soils engineer, at the completion of hillside tract grading, grading work in excess of 5,000 cubic yards (3825 m3) of either cut or fill, or a combination thereof, and other grading work if deemed warranted by the Department, shall submit a final report. The final report shall include:
1. The soil engineer’s professional opinion of the suitability of the fill material and their placement, and the ability of the natural materials to support the compacted fill without excessive settlement of the fill or potential damage to structures erected thereon;
2. The results of all in-place density tests;
3. A statement that all subdrains were inspected prior to backfill;
4. A statement to the effect that the soils engineer has inspected all cuts and fills and that in the soil engineer’s opinion they meet the design requirements; and
5. All locations of the in-place density tests, retaining walls, subdrains and cut/fill slopes shall be shown on a plot plan which may be referenced to a dated as-graded plan prepared by the design civil engineer or land surveyor.
91.7008.3. Engineering Geologist. The engineering geologist shall provide professional inspection within such geologist’s area of technical specialty, which shall include professional inspection of the bedrock excavation to determine if conditions encountered are in conformance with the approved report. Revised recommendations relating to conditions differing from the approved engineering geology report shall be submitted to the soils engineer and the Department. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.)
For hillside tract grading, grading work in excess of 5,000 cubic yards (3825 m3) of either cut or fill, or a combination thereof, and other grading work if deemed warranted by the Department, geologists shall submit periodic in-grading inspection reports at intervals determined by the Department. In addition, the engineering geologist at the completion of grading shall submit a final geological report stating that the geologist had maintained the required in-grading inspection, the recommendations of their pregrading report(s) have been followed, that in their professional opinion all known adverse geologic conditions have been corrected or provided for, future adverse geologic conditions are not anticipated, and all lots or sites are geologically suitable and safe for construction.
The final report shall include the geologist’s certification that the geologist has inspected all cut slopes and sidehill fill placement areas prior to placement of fill. The engineering geologist shall also certify that all subdrain placement areas were inspected prior to installation of the subdrains. The final report shall be referenced to a dated as-graded plan prepared by the design civil engineer or land surveyor.
91.7008.4. Grading Contractor. For hillside tract grading, grading work in excess of 5,000 cubic yards (3825 m3) of either cut or fill, or a combination thereof, and other grading work if deemed warranted by the Department, the grading contractor shall submit in a form prescribed by the Superintendent of Building a statement of conformance to said as-built plan and the specifications.
91.7008.5. Transfer of Responsibility. If, for any reason, the civil engineer, the soils engineer, or the engineering geologist of record is terminated during the progress of the grading work, that engineer or geologist, and the owner, shall immediately notify the Department in writing.
Such transfer of responsibility may result in temporary delays in the grading operations until satisfactory arrangements are made to assure the Department that competent professional supervision is provided. The new professional(s) shall submit to the Department a letter of responsibility that the previous professional’s designs, reports and recommendations have been reviewed and all provisions of the Department required as conditions of the grading permit will be complied with during the course of the work.
91.7008.6. Owner. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) The owner shall be responsible for the work to be performed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and in conformance with the provisions of this Code, and the owner shall engage consultants, if required, to provide professional inspections on a timely basis. The owner shall provide a Registered Deputy Grading Inspector as required by LAMC Section 91.1704. The owner shall act as a coordinator between the consultants, the contractor and the Superintendent of Building. In the event of changed conditions, the owner shall be responsible for informing the Superintendent of Building of such change and shall provide revised plans for approval. The Department may require the submittal of a supplemental soils and/or geological report justifying such change.
91.7008.7. Notification of Noncompliance. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) If, in the course of fulfilling their respective duties under this division, the civil engineer, the soils engineer or the engineering geologist finds that the work is not being done in conformance with this division or the approved grading plans, the discrepancies shall be reported immediately in writing to the owner and to the Grading Division of the Department.
(Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)
When soils and/or geological reports are submitted to the Department per LAMC Subsection 91.7006.2, professional inspection for regular grading work may be required by the Department and so stipulated on a Department letter approving such reports.
(Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
91.7010.1. Height. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.) No cut slope shall exceed a vertical height of 100 feet (30 480 mm) unless horizontal benches with a minimum width of 20 feet (6096 mm), as shown in Figure D are installed at each 100 feet (30 480 mm) of vertical height.
91.7010.2. Slope. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) No excavation shall be made with a cut face steeper than one unit vertical in two units horizontal (50% slope).
EXCEPTION: The Department or the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners (Board), in case an appeal is made to it under LAMC Section 91.105, may permit the excavation to be made with a cut face steeper in slope than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope) if the applicant shows through investigation, subsurface exploration, analysis and report by both a soils engineer and an engineering geologist, to the Department's satisfaction, that the underlying bedrock and the materials to be exposed on the slope have strength characteristics sufficient to produce a stable slope with a factor of safety of not less than 1.5 for static loads.
Existing or proposed slopes shall be regraded or cut so as to be not steeper than the bedding planes in formation where the cut slope will lie on the dip side of the strike line or the bedding planes or other adversely oriented geologic structures shall be supported by retaining walls or buttress fills designed pursuant to the provisions of CBC Section 1807.2 or LAMC Section 91.7015.
EXCEPTION: Where special conditions warrant, the Department may approve slopes steeper than the bedding planes, or other adversely oriented geologic structures if the applicant shows through investigation, subsurface exploration, analysis and report by both a soils engineer and an engineering geologist, to the Department's satisfaction, that the slopes will have a factor of safety against sliding of not less than 1.5 for static loads.
Whenever grading at the top of any natural or manufactured slope exposes soil or bedrock material that will allow the infiltration of water in a manner that would adversely affect the stability of the slope, the exposed area shall be capped with a relatively impervious compacted soil blanket seal having a minimum thickness of two feet (610 mm). The soils engineer shall certify in writing that the blanket seal is adequate to reduce water infiltration to permissible levels.
91.7010.3. Top of Cut Slope. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) The top of cut slopes shall not be made nearer to a site boundary line than 1/5 of the vertical height of cut with a minimum of 2 feet (609.8 mm) and a maximum horizontal distance of 10 feet (3048 mm). The setback may need to be increased for any required interceptor drains. Setback dimensions shall be horizontal distances measured perpendicular to the site boundary. Setback dimensions shall be as shown in Figure E of this division.
(Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.)
91.7011.1. Height. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) No fill slope shall exceed a vertical height of 100 feet (30.48 m) unless horizontal benches with a minimum width of 20 feet (6.096 m), as shown in Figure D of this division are installed at each 100 feet (30.48 m) of vertical height.
91.7011.2. Slope. (Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.) No fill shall be made which creates an exposed surface steeper than one unit vertical in two units horizontal (50% slope). The fill slopes abutting and above public property shall be so placed that no portion of the fill lies above a plane through a public property line extending upward at a slope of one unit vertical in two units horizontal (50% slope).
EXCEPTION: The Department or the Board in case an appeal is made to it under LAMC Section 91.105 may permit a fill to be made which creates an exposed surface steeper in slope than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope), provided: (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)
1. The use of the steeper slope is determined to be necessary due to special design limitations on the site,
2. The gradient does not exceed one unit vertical in one and one-half units horizontal (66.7% slope) and
3. The applicant shows through investigation, subsurface exploration, analysis and report by both a soils engineer and an engineering geologist, to the Department’s satisfaction, that the fill to be used and the underlying bedrock or soil supporting the fill have strength characteristics sufficient to produce a stable slope with a minimum factor of safety not less than 1.5 for static loads. The soils engineer shall verify by necessary testing and observation and shall certify attainment of the required strength characteristics in the fill materials as specified in the approved report.
91.7011.3. Compaction. (Amended by Ord. No. 180,619, Eff. 5/12/09.) All manufactured fills shall be placed on natural undisturbed material or approved compacted fill. Fills shall be compacted throughout their full extent to a minimum relative compaction of 90 percent of maximum dry density within 40 feet (1219 mm) below finish grade and 93 percent of maximum dry density deeper than 40 feet (1219 mm) below finish grade, unless a lower relative compaction (not less than 90 percent of maximum dry density) is justified by the soils engineer. The relative compaction shall be determined by ASTM soil compaction test D1557. Every manufactured fill shall be tested for relative compaction by a soil testing agency approved by the Department. A compaction report including a Certificate of Compliance setting forth densities so determined shall be submitted to the Department for review before approval of any fill is given. For slopes to be constructed with an exposed slope surface steeper than two horizontal to one vertical, compaction at the exposed surface of the slope shall be obtained either by overfilling and cutting back the slope surface until the compacted inner core is exposed, or by compacting the outer horizontal ten feet of the slope at least 92 percent of relative compaction.
Prior to permitting building on deep fills of 40 feet or more, the Department may require the determination of the settlement characteristics of the fills to establish that any movements have substantially ceased. In those cases, a system of benchmarks shall be installed at critical points on the fill and accurate measurement of both horizontal and vertical movements shall be taken for a period of time sufficient to define the settlement behavior. In no case shall the period of time be less than one year, with at least four consecutive checks made at intervals of three months.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. The Department may approve uncompacted fill in self-contained areas where the fills are not to be used to support buildings or structures and no hazard will be created.
2. Fill material placed in areas within cemeteries used or to be used for internment sites shall be compacted to a minimum of 80 percent, unless the fill is placed on a slope steeper than three horizontal to one vertical, or placed on slopes adjacent to public properties or private properties in separate ownership, or is to be used to support buildings or structures, in which cases it shall be compacted to a minimum of 90 percent.
3. Compaction report is not required for gravel backfill behind retaining walls provided the following conditions are met:
A. The retaining wall does not exceed ten feet in height.
B. The maximum distance between the retaining wall and the backcut shall not exceed 36 inches. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.)
C. The gravel backfill shall be mechanically compacted and covered with concrete pavement or be capped with a 24-inch thick soil blanket mechanically compacted to the Department's satisfaction.
D. The gravel backfill does not provide vertical or lateral support for any structures or adverse bedding planes.
Where cohesionless soil having less than 15 percent finer than 0.005 millimeters is used for fill, it shall be compacted to a minimum of 95 percent relative compaction based on maximum dry density.
At cut-fill transition zones, there shall be a minimum of 3 feet (914 mm) of compacted fill at the cut pad area. The depth of fill shall be measured from the bottom of the deepest footings and extend horizontally throughout the cut pad area under the building and extend a minimum of 3 feet (914 mm) beyond exterior footings.
91.7011.4. Fill Slopes. Fill slopes shall be prepared for planting in one of the following three ways:
1. The slope surface of fills may be prepared for planting by casting topsoil over the slope surface. The topsoil layer shall not exceed three inches (76 mm) in depth.
2. The slope surface may be scarified to a depth not to exceed three inches (76 mm).
3. Loose material not to exceed three inches (76 mm) in depth may be left on the slope.
91.7011.5. Toe of Fill Slope. The toe of fill slope shall be made not nearer to a site boundary line adjoining other private properties than one half the height of the fill slope with a minimum of two feet (610 mm) and a maximum of 20 feet (6096 mm).
In the event retaining walls are constructed to retain fill, the height of the fill shall be measured from the elevation of the fill behind the wall and the setback distance may be measured from the face of the wall to the boundary line.
Setback dimensions shall be horizontal distances measured perpendicular to the site boundary. Setback dimensions shall be as shown in Figure E of this division. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)
91.7011.6. Old Fills. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.) All manufactured fills, whether compacted or not, which were placed prior to April 25, 1963, shall be investigated by the soils engineer to determine their suitability for the proposed use before any approval to build is issued.
91.7011.7. Combined Cut and Fill Slopes. Where a combined cut and fill slope exceeds 25 feet (7620 mm) in height, the required drainage bench shall be placed at the top of the cut slope. The effect of surcharge of the fill upon the cut bedrock shall be considered by the soils engineer and engineering geologist, and specific recommendations shall be made relative to the setback between the cut and fill.
91.7011.8. Fill Areas. Areas on which fill is to be placed shall be investigated by the soils engineer, or by the soils engineer and geologist to determine if they are adequate to support the fill without undue detrimental consolidation. Slopes exceeding one unit vertical in five units horizontal (20% slope) shall be benched prior to placing fill.
EXCEPTION: The Department may waive this investigation where it determines by inspection that the underlying material is adequate to support the proposed fill.
(Amended by Ord. No. 181,758, Eff. 8/8/11.)
The owner shall be responsible for planting and maintaining all slopes where such is required in this Section.
1. Plant with grass or ground cover plants.
2. An irrigation system shall be installed to irrigate these slopes.
3. The owner shall water the slopes which have been planted with grasses and/or ground cover plants at sufficient time intervals to promote growth.
EXCEPTION: Where the Department finds the slope is located in such an area as to make hand watering possible, conveniently located hose bibs will be accepted in lieu of the required irrigation system when a hose no longer than 50 feet (15 240 mm) would be necessary.
1. Plant with grass or ground cover plants.
2. In addition to grass or ground cover plants, approved shrubs having a one gallon minimum size shall be planted on the slope at 10 feet (3048 mm) on center in both directions or trees at 20 feet (6096 mm) on center in both directions. A combination of shrubs and trees may be utilized. The plants and planting pattern may be varied on the recommendation of the landscape architect.
3. Install an adequate irrigation system during grading prior to planting of the shrubs and trees and before grading is approved.
91.7012.3.2. Irrigation systems shall be designed to provide a uniform water coverage at a rate of precipitation of not more than 3/10 inch (7.6 mm) per hour on the planted slope. In no event shall the duration of sprinkling be permitted such as to create a saturated condition and cause an erosion problem, or allow the discharge of excess water into any public or private street.
91.7012.3.6. Where PVC pipes are used on slopes, they shall be a minimum of schedule 40 and embedded at least eight inches (203 mm) below grade. Such pipes may be exposed for above ground installations provided they are ASTM rated as resistant to ultraviolet sunlight. All risers, sprinkler heads, valves and fittings shall be brass or galvanized metal, or rated as sunlight resistant.
(Added by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
91.7013.1. Interceptor Terraces. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Paved interceptor terraces shall have a minimum width of 8 feet (2438.4 mm) and shall be installed on the face of all cut and fill slopes at intervals not to exceed 25 feet (7.620 m) measured along a vertical plane. Where only one terrace is required, it shall be at mid-height.
The cross section of interceptor terraces shall meet the specification shown in Figure A of this division.
The longitudinal slope of interceptor terraces shall not be less than 5% or more than 12%, and any change in rate of grade within these allowable slopes shall increase the grade in the direction of flow.
A single run of an interceptor terrace shall not exceed 150 feet (45.72 m) to a down drain.
Down drain shall be embedded round pipes enclosed in concrete shaped as shown in Section C-C of Figure G of this division, or an alternate design which is prepared by a civil engineer and acceptable to the Department.
91.7013.2. Diverter Terraces. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Paved diverter terraces, constructed as shown in Figure B of this division, shall be installed at the top of all graded slopes where the tributary drainage area above has a slope exceeding 1 unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10% slope) and a horizontal projection of greater than 40 feet (12.192 m).
91.7013.3. Berms. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Berms conforming to the provisions of Figure C of this division shall be constructed at the top of all slopes.
91.7013.4. Vee Channels. (Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.) Where a slough wall is required at the toe of the slope by other provisions of this Code, or a retaining wall is built to support any cut or fill slope, a vee channel shall be constructed behind the wall to carry off the slope waters to interceptors, down drains or other approved drainage devices.
91.7013.5 Inlet Structures, Down Drains and Outlet Structures. (Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.)
91.7013.5.1. Inlet Structures. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Inlet structures shall be of concrete, galvanized iron hot dipped in asphalt or equivalent. The inlet structure shall be grated or grilled, or of such entry shape as to prevent entry of objects of greater than 4 inches (101.6 mm) in dimension. The inlet structure shall be placed on the bench as shown in Section Y-Y of Figure G of this division and shall be so shaped as to provide small entry losses. An overflow structure into the vee down drains shall be provided.
91.7013.5.2. Down Drains. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Down drains shall have paved inverts and shall be of concrete, minimum 18 gauge corrugated galvanized iron hot dipped in asphalt, or corrugated alloy 3004-H-34 aluminum of minimum 16 gauge and hot dipped in asphalt or equivalent. Pipe down drains shall conform with Section C-C of Figure G of this division and shall have a diameter of a size required by runoff calculations, but no less than 12 inches (304.8 mm).
Open channel down drains shall be designed by a civil engineer and shall have a minimum capacity equal to four times the required pipe size. The alignment of down drains shall be such as to conserve velocity head.
91.7013.5.3. Outlet Structures. Outlet structures shall be of concrete, galvanized iron hot dipped in asphalt or equivalent.
Where outletting into street or other approved termination areas, the structure shall be of a design approved by the Department of Public Works. Where outletting into natural watercourses or other approved locations, the structure shall be provided with adequate velocity reducers, diversion walls, rip-rap, concrete aprons or any similar energy dissipator. All slope drainage shall be collected and disposed of in the drainage device.
91.7013.6. Runoff Computations. Runoff shall be based on the proper 50-year isohyetal, and the runoff calculation shall be based on the latest methods adopted by the Bureau of Engineering.
91.7013.7. Drainage Dispersal Wall. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) A drainage dispersal wall shall be constructed as set forth in Figure F of this division whenever it is necessary to convert channel flow to sheet flow.
91.7013.8. Subdrains. Subdrains shall be laid under all fills placed in natural watercourses. Subdrains shall be placed along the watercourse flow line and along the flow line of any branches tributary thereto. Additional subdrains shall be installed to collect any active or potential springs or seeps which will be covered by the fill. Subdrains shall be installed after the watercourse has been excavated to firm material in preparation for receiving the fill. Individual design shall be shown on each plan for city approval, based on recommendations of the soils engineer and geologist to the satisfaction of the Department.
91.7013.9. Gutters. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.) Eave or ground gutters shall be provided to receive all roof water and deliver it through a non erosive device via gravity to a street or watercourse, or approved drainage facility, if the slope of the underlying natural ground exceeds three percent or if more than three feet (914 mm) of compacted fill or more than one foot (305 mm) of uncompacted fill is placed on the ground.
91.7013.10. Site Drainage. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.) All pads with cut or fill shall slope a minimum of two percent to an approved drainage device or facility, or to a public street. Where used, the drainage device shall be an adequately designed system of catch basins and drain lines, which conducts the water to a street.
EXCEPTION: Where the slope of the underlying natural ground does not exceed three percent and the compacted fill is less than three feet (914 mm) in depth, the slope of the pad may be reduced to one percent.
91.7013.11. Drainage Around Buildings. (Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.) On all building sites, acceptable drainage devices shall be installed to conduct storm water around buildings whenever the distance from the building to the top of any slope is less than five feet (1524 mm). Where used, the drainage device shall be an adequately designed system of catch basins and drain lines which conducts the water to a street.
91.7013.12. Maintenance of Drainage. Drainage in conformance with the provisions of this Code shall be maintained during and subsequent to construction.
(Added by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
91.7014.1. Construction, General. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) No structure shall be constructed upon a slope steeper than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope). For building location and setback requirements, see Division 18, Article 1, Chapter IX
of the LAMC.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Subject to approval by the Department, construction may be placed upon slopes steeper than one unit vertical in two units horizontal (50% slope), provided reports from a soils engineer and engineering geologist recommend favorably toward construction. The reports shall include adequate information and analysis to show to the Department’s satisfaction that the underlying bedrock and natural soils and slope surface materials have strength characteristics sufficient to produce a stable slope with a factor of safety of not less than 1.5 for static loads. The reports shall incorporate provisions for downhill creep in the design of footings where applicable.
2. Where a minor amount of the structure is constructed on the slope or where the construction consists of an unroofed deck, the Department may approve the construction without engineering and geological reports.
91.7014.2. Slough Wall. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.) If potential sloughing hazards affecting buildings or structures are present on natural, cut or fill slopes in excess of 20 feet (6096 mm) in vertical height, slough protection devices may be required by the Department.
91.7014.3. Flood and Mudflow Protection. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) Flood and mudflow protection shall be provided for all new buildings, additions to buildings and substantial improvements to buildings, which are located on sites determined by the Department to be subject to those conditions, in accordance with Ordinance No. 163,913.
The recommendations for mudflow protection shall be contained in a site investigation report made by persons qualified and licensed in civil engineering, engineering geology and/or soils engineering to ascertain the location, magnitude and extent of potential mudflow hazards and to recommend measures for protection or the elimination of those hazards. The use of the minimum design parameters specified in this Code shall be justified in the report.
Minimum design parameters to be used for mud/debris flow control systems within and at the base of concentrated drainage areas are:
1. A channel flow capacity of 10 cubic feet per second (0.28 m3/s) per acre (ha) of tributary drainage area; or
2. A temporary storage capacity of 400 cubic yards (306 m3) per acre (ha) of tributary drainage area.
Loading...