(A) General. The setbacks and other restrictions specified by this section are minimums and may be increased by the City Engineer/Public Works Director or Building Official or by the recommendation of the civil engineer, the soil engineer, or the engineering geologist as approved by the City Engineer/Public Works Director, if necessary, for safety and stability, to prevent damage to adjacent properties from deposition or erosion, or to provide access for slope maintenance and drainage. Retaining walls may be used to reduce the required setbacks when approved by the City Engineer/Public Works Director. All setbacks required by this section shall comply with all applicable zoning requirements. If the zoning setback requirements exceed the setback requirements in this section, the zoning setbacks shall govern.
(B) Design standards for setbacks.
(1) The tops and toes of slopes shall be set back from the outer boundaries of the grading permit area, including easements, in accordance with Figure 7.90.210-1 Minimum Setbacks from Adjacent Slopes of this section.
(2) Setbacks between graded slopes (cut or fill) and structures shall be provided in accordance with Figure 7.90.210-1 Minimum Setbacks from Adjacent Slopes of this section.
(3) A usable side yard of at least five feet from any building wall shall be provided to the top or toe of a slope unless waived by the City Engineer/Public Works Director.
(4) Lot lines shall be located at the top of slopes whenever possible.
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Legend: "PL" means property line. "PS" means permit boundary. "MS" means manufactured surface. "Hw" is the height of the retaining wall measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall.
Notes:
1. Table A-1 applies to manufactured slopes and 2 to 1 (2:1) horizontal to vertical (or steeper) natural slopes. Setbacks from natural slopes flatter than a 2 to 1 (2: 1) horizontal to vertical shall meet the approval of the City Engineer/Public Works Director.
2. "b" may be reduced to a five-foot minimum if an approved drainage device is used; roof gutters and downspouts may also be required.
3. "b" may be reduced to less than 5 feet if no drainage is conveyed on one side and if roof gutters are included.
4. If the slope between "a" and "h" is replaced by a retaining wall, "a" may be reduced to zero and "h"
shall remain as shown in Table A-2. The height of the wall shall be governed by zoning regulations.
5. "b" shall be measured from the face of the structure to the top of the slope.
6. "d" is measured from the lower outside edge of the footing, along a horizontal line to the face (daylight) of the slope. Under certain circumstances, "d" may be reduced as recommended in a soils report and approved by the City Engineer/Public Works Engineer.
7. The use of a retaining wall to reduce setbacks must be approved by the City Engineer/Public Works Director.
8. In limited situations, "f" may be reduced to zero feet if allowed by the Planning Director and if the Building Official approves a combination structure/retaining wall after submittal and review of structural calculations from a registered civil engineer or structural engineer and after the City Engineer/Public Works Director approves any necessary drainage devices.
9. The maximum height of retaining walls for developer-initiated projects shall be 4 feet unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer and the Community Development Department. Wall heights greater than 6 feet may also be approved on a case-by-case basis as approved by the City Engineer/Public Works Director.
(Ord. 2022-364, passed 11-16-2022)