For purposes of this chapter, the words and phrases in this section shall have the following meanings, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
APPROVAL. A written professional engineering or geological opinion by the civil engineer of record, the engineering geologist of record, or the soil engineer of record, whichever is applicable, concerning the satisfactory progress and completion of the work, unless the code is referring to approval by the City Engineer/Public Works Director.
APPROVED PLANS. The current plans and specifications for all grading or clearing, brushing and grubbing, or other related work, which contains the City Engineer/Public Works Director's signature of approval. The term "approved plans" includes, but is
not limited to, any mass grading plan, rough grading plan, precise grading plan, WQMP, street improvement plan, erosion control plan, and/or temporary stockpile plan as such plans are set forth and described in this chapter.
AS-GRADED. The surface configuration upon completion of grading.
BEDROCK. The relatively solid, undisturbed rock in place either at the ground surface or beneath superficial deposits of loose rock, soil, sand, and/or gravel.
BENCH. A relatively level step excavated into stable earth material on which fill is to be placed.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP). A practice, or combination of practices, or physical structural facility or measure that is determined to be an effective and practicable (including technological, economic, and institutional considerations) means of preventing or reducing an anticipated impact, such as water pollution.
BORROW. Earth material acquired from an off-site location for use in grading on a site.
CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE (CBC). The Cal. Code of Regulations Title 24 as adopted by ordinance by the City Council of the City of Menifee.
CEQA. The California Environmental Quality Act.
CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. The City Engineer/Public Works Director for the City of Menifee. All references in the California Building Code to "Building Official" shall mean the City Engineer/Public Works Director for the purposes of this chapter.
CIVIL ENGINEER. A trained and licensed professional engineer registered in the State of California who is authorized 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 mankind. For a complete definition, see Rules of the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Section 404.
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 means.
CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PERMIT (CGP). The general permit for discharges of storm water associated with construction and land disturbance activities, State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Order 2009-0009-DWQ or any amendment, update, or more recent construction general permit.
CUT OR CUTTING. The removal of earth material by artificial means.
EARTH MATERIAL. Any rock, natural soil, fill, and/or any combination thereof.
ENGINEERED FILL. Soil or crushed stone that is compacted and used as replacement ground material during construction activities when the quality and type of exiting material is not suitable for conditions of the proposed project.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST. A geologist certified in the State of California to practice engineering geology, who is listed on the grading permit as the engineering geologist of record and who is responsible for preparing, signing, stamping, or approving all or a portion of the approved plans and the reports required by this chapter.
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 works. For a complete definition, see Rules of the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Section 404.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA (ESA). Any land in a natural condition subject to an open space easement; any natural lake, stream, creek, or riparian area; any wildlife habitat area identified in an environmental impact report, initial study, or other environmental assessment; or any land determined by the city to be environmentally sensitive with respect to any particular grading activity based on an environmental assessment, initial study, CEQA guidelines, or other information in connection with the proposed grading activity.
EROSION. The wearing away of the ground surface and resulting transport of sediment or dust as a result of the movement of wind, water, ice, and/or other natural agents.
EROSION CONTROL SYSTEM. A combination of desilting facilities and erosion protection, including effective planting and the maintenance thereof, to protect adjacent property, watercourses, public facilities, and receiving waters from deposits of sediment, silt, or dust.
EXCAVATION. The mechanical removal of earth material.
FAULT. A fracture in the earth's crust along which movement has occurred. A fault is considered active if movement has occurred within the last 11,000 years.
FILL OR FILLING. The deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.
GRADE. The vertical elevation or slope of the ground surface. The following types of grade have the following specific meanings:
EXISTING GRADE. The ground surface prior to grading.
FINISH GRADE. The final grade of the site, which conforms to the approved plans.
NATURAL GRADE. The ground surface unaltered by artificial means.
ROUGH GRADE. The stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plans.
GRADING. Any excavation or filling or combination thereof.
GRADING CONTRACTOR. A contractor licensed and regulated by the State of California who specializes in grading or is otherwise licensed to do grading, and who is listed on the grading permit as the grading contractor of record.
GRADING PERMIT. The official document or certificate issued by the City Engineer/Public Works Director authorizing grading or clearing, brushing and grubbing, or other related work as specified on the approved plans. The term "Grading Permit" includes any mass grading permit, precise grading permit, or rough grading permit issued for the work described in the approved plans.
GRADING PERMIT, MASS. A grading permit issued to complete mass grading work.
GRADING PERMIT, PRECISE. A grading permit issued on the basis of approved plans that show the precise location of structures, finish elevations, and all on-site improvements.
GRADING PERMIT, ROUGH. A grading permit issued on the basis of approved plans that need not show the location of structures but must show interim building pad drainage to the degree required by the City Engineer/Public Works Director.
GRADING PLANS. A grading plan is a document that illustrates existing and proposed site topography, and the limits of grading and disturbance.
KEY. A designed compacted 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 a proposed fill slope.
MASS GRADING. Grading that is completed on a large scale over a large area prior to rough grading and which, when completed, is within two vertical feet of the final grade elevations of the site.
PERMITTEE. Any property owner to whom a grading permit has been issued.
PROPERTY OWNER. Any person, partnership, corporation or other legal entity having a legal or equitable interest in a given real property.
QSD. Qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Developer, as defined by the most recent California stormwater construction general permit.
QSP. Qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Practitioner, as defined by the most recent California stormwater construction general permit.
REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD (RWQCB). The Santa Ana/Region 8 California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
RETAINING WALL. A wall designed to resist the lateral displacement of soil or other materials.
SITE. Any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership, where grading is performed or permitted.
SLOPE. Any inclined ground surface, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical distance or as a percentage ratio of the vertical distance divided by the horizontal distance times 100.
SLOPE STABILITY - GROSS STABILITY. The factor of safety against failure of the slope material below the surface, approximately three to four feet deep measured from and perpendicular to the slope face.
SLOPE STABILITY - 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. Naturally occurring surficial deposits overlaying bedrock.
SOILS ENGINEER. A civil engineer registered in the State of California experienced and knowledgeable in the area of soil engineering, who is listed on the grading permit as the soil engineer of record and who is responsible for preparing, signing, stamping or approving all or a portion of the approved plans and the reports required by this chapter.
SOILS ENGINEERING. The investigation and engineering evaluation of earth materials including soil, rock, groundwater, and man-made materials and their interaction with earth retention systems, structural foundations, and other civil engineering works. The practice involves application of the principles of soil mechanics and the earth sciences and requires a knowledge of engineering laws, formulas, construction techniques, and performance evaluation of civil engineering works influenced by earth materials. For a complete definition, see Rules of the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Section 404.
SWPPP. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, as defined by the most recent California stormwater construction general permit.
TERRACE. A relatively level step constructed into the face of a graded sloped surface for drainage and maintenance purposes.
TESTING AGENCY. A facility whose testing operations are controlled and monitored by a registered civil engineer and which is equipped to perform and certify the tests required by this chapter and is approved by the City Engineer/Public Works Director.
WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN (WQMP). A Project WQMP describes the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will be implemented and maintained throughout the life of a project to prevent and minimize water pollution that can be caused by stormwater or urban runoff.
WORK. Any grading, clearing, brushing, or grubbing or any other activity permitted under any approved plan.
(Ord. 2022-364, passed 11-16-2022)