A. Purpose:
1. The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety, general welfare, and aesthetics by regulating grading (including initial clearing, brushing or grubbing, and subsequent excavating or filling) on private and public land, including county-owned land, within the unincorporated area of Pima County.
2. It establishes grading standards designed to:
a. Regulate the development of potentially hazardous terrain;
b. Conserve the general visual character of grading sites and settings;
c. Enhance the value of new development; and
d. Conserve the value of existing, affected properties.
3. The guidelines and standards of this chapter and the grading design manual have been prepared in the context of Pima County's specific desert environment. They are intended to complement the applicable provisions of Chapter 18.61 (Hillside Development Overlay Zone) and the Floodplain Management Ordinance, and not to authorize any grading activity prohibited by this chapter or any county ordinance.
B. Interpretation:
1. This section shall be used as a guide whenever a conflict arises in the interpretation or enforcement of this chapter. The design, implementation and mitigation of grading regulated by this chapter (refer to Section 18.81.020) shall be reviewed prior to the issuance of any grading permit, to ensure compliance with the guidelines of this section and the specific standards and requirements of this chapter.
2. The design and implementation of all grading shall:
a. Minimize scars and other adverse visual impacts resulting from cut and fill;
b. Blend with the natural contours of the land;
c. Conserve the natural scenic beauty and vegetation of the site;
d. Be for purposes other than enabling buildings to penetrate the building height contour line; and
e. Restrict the areas and volumes to the minimum necessary to implement the planned development.
3. In all grading projects, measures shall be taken to:
a. Ensure that graded hillside, slopes or other areas subject to erosion are stabilized;
b. Reduce the erosion effects of stormwater discharge, preserve the flood-carrying capacity of natural or constructed waterways by limiting soil loss, and protect drainageways from siltation;
c. Minimize dust pollution and surface water drainage from graded areas during grading and development; and
d. Ensure that development activity is designed and implemented to minimize adverse impacts and include appropriate restorative measures.
(Ord. 1986-187 § 1 (part), 1986)