(Added by Ord. No. 184,827, Eff. 3/24/17.)
A. Purpose. This section sets forth procedures and guidelines for the establishment of the Hillside Construction Regulation (HCR) District in residential areas of the City. The purpose of the HCR District is to impose more restrictive grading limits and hauling operation standards than what is generally permitted by this Code in areas where the proposed district is adopted, thus reducing construction impacts.
B. Establishment of the District. The procedures set forth in Sec. 13B.1.4. (Zone Change) of Chapter 1A
of this Code shall be followed, however, each HCR District shall include only properties in residential zones. Boundaries shall be along street frontages and shall not split parcels. A HCR District may encompass an area which is designated, in whole or in part, as a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) and/or Specific Plan. The HCR District shall include contiguous parcels, which may only be separated by Streets, ways or alleys or other physical features, or as set forth in applicable rules approved by the Director of Planning. Precise boundaries are required at the time of application to expand or create a HCR District. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)
C. Relationship to other Zoning Regulations. Unless the provisions of this section state otherwise, the underlying base zone regulations applicable to a given project in a HCR District shall prevail pursuant to Sections 12.03, 12.04, 12.05, 12.07.01, 12.07.1, 12.08, 12.21, 12.23 and 12.32. Where the provisions of the HCR District conflict with those of a Specific Plan or HPOZ, then the provisions of the Specific Plan or HPOZ shall prevail. If provisions of the HCR District conflict with any other City- wide regulations in this Code or with provisions of other supplemental use districts other than the Specific Plan or HPOZ, then the requirements of the HCR shall prevail.
D. Development Regulations. Single-family home developments within a HCR District shall comply with each of the following Grading, Hauling and Hauling Operation Standards, as applicable:
1. Maximum Grading. For any single lot, the total cumulative quantity of Grading, or the total combined value of both Cut and Fill for the import and export of earth, or incremental Cut and Fill for Import and Export of earth shall be limited to the “by-right” maximum pursuant to Section 12.21 C.10. and shall not exceed 6,000 cubic yards.
2. Maximum Import and/or Export for Hillside Areas Fronting Substandard Streets. For a lot which fronts onto a Substandard Hillside Limited Street, as defined in Section 12.03 of this Code, the total cumulative quantity of Import and Export of earth combined, shall be no more than 75 percent of the “by- right” maximum pursuant to Section 12.21 C.10. and shall not exceed 6,000 cubic yards.
3. Hauling Truck Trips. A maximum of four trucks are permitted to haul per hour per project site. A grouping or convoy of hauling vehicles shall not be allowed; only one hauling vehicle is permitted per project site at any one time.
4. Hauling Truck Operations. As conditions of project approval for the issuance of a grading or building permit for projects in a HCR District, each of the following hauling operation standards shall be met:
(a) Projects required to obtain a Haul Route approval from the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners for the import and/or export of 1,000 cubic yards or more of earth material shall prominently post the final action letter with the approved Haul Route staff report on the job site at all times.
(b) No grading shall be performed within any areas designated “hillside” unless a copy of the grading permit is prominently posted on the job site at all times.
(c) All hauling vehicles must be identified by a placard identifying the project address which shall be prominently displayed on each hauling vehicle.
5. Equipment. As conditions of project approval for the issuance of a grading or building permit for projects in a HCR District, each of the following equipment standards shall be met:
(a) 10-wheeler dump trucks (with a 10 cubic yard capacity) or smaller are the only type of trucks permitted for hauling of earth. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners may authorize the use of other types of hauling vehicles for a project through the Haul Route approval process.
(b) Hauling and grading equipment shall be kept in good operating condition and muffled as required by law.
6. Operating Hours and Construction Activity. Compliance with each of the following standards shall be required for all projects in a HCR District requiring the issuance of a grading or building permit. However, if a Haul Route approval by the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners is required for import and/or export of 1,000 cubic yards or more, then the conditions set by the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners during the Haul Route approval process shall prevail and the following standards shall not apply.
(a) Hauling operations shall be conducted only on Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Hauling operations on Saturdays, Sundays, or state or federal designated holidays is strictly prohibited.
(b) Haul trucks shall be staged off-site and outside of the HCR District. As deemed necessary, the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners may permit staging on-site or in any alternate staging area by special condition during the Haul Route Approval process.
(c) Construction activity shall be limited to Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Exterior construction work at any other time is strictly prohibited. However, interior construction work may be conducted on Saturdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Excess exterior illumination of the site through the use of flood lights and/or similar lighting devices is strictly prohibited after 6:00 p.m. on any day of the week.
(d) A log noting the dates of hauling activity and the number of hauling truck trips per day shall be available on the job site at all times.
(e) The owner or contractor shall control dust caused by grading and hauling and provide reasonable control of dust caused or exacerbated by wind at all times. Grading and hauling activities shall be discontinued during periods of high winds and Red Flag days as determined by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
(f) Loads shall be secured by trimming and shall be covered to prevent spillage and dust. Haul trucks are to be contained at the export site to prevent blowing of dirt and are to be cleaned of loose earth at the export site to prevent spilling.
(g) Streets shall be cleaned of spilled materials at the termination of each workday.
(h) “Truck Crossing” warning signs shall be placed 300 feet in advance of the exit from the project site in each direction.
(i) Flag person(s) shall be required for all project sites. Flag persons with radio control and warning signs shall be in compliance with the latest edition of the “Work Area Traffic Control Handbook.” Flag persons provided at the job site shall assist trucks in and out of the project area.
7. Review Procedures for single-family home developments larger than 17,500 square feet. The construction, erection, addition to, enlargement of or reconfiguration of any one-family dwelling that has a cumulative Residential Floor Area of 17,500 square feet or larger shall submit an application for a Project Review before the issuance of related permits and entitlements. Application procedures and processing of the application shall be pursuant to Sec. 13B.2.4. (Project Review) of Chapter 1A
of this Code. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)