A. General usage: The definition and usage of terms in this chapter are as contained within this code, except that the definition and usage of terms describing drainage are as contained within the county Floodplain Management Ordinance.
B. Definitions: For purposes of this chapter only, the following words and terms shall mean:
1. Access road: A road within one mile of the grading side, designated on the approved grading plan, and used, during grading, for the transport of grading equipment, hauling of fill and other equivalent vehicular traffic to and from the grading site.
2. Approval: Written notice by the county engineer approving the design, progress or completion of work.
3. Approved plan: The most current grading sketch or grading plan which bears the authorized signature of approval of the county engineer.
4. Approved testing agency: A facility which is equipped to perform and certify the tests required by this chapter and whose testing operations are controlled and monitored by a civil engineer.
5. Borrow: Earth material acquired from an off-site location for use in grading a site.
6. Brushing: The selective removal of vegetation.
7. Building height contour line: A contour elevation line set at the existing grade elevation, plus the maximum building height permitted by site rezoning conditions or this code and fifty percent of the additional height added by permitted fill. Refer to Illustration 18.81-1 (Section 18.81.110).
8. Clearing: The substantial removal of vegetation.
9. Envelope, building:
a. A dwelling unit and all attached roofed structures, including carports or patio ramadas;
b. For nonresidential development, the building envelope shall be the main building and all attached roofed structures.
10. Envelope, development: The sum of the areas of the permit holder's land to be graded, including the building envelope, accessory buildings, and areas of related parking, driveways, swimming pools, walls and other accessory structures, but excluding individual sewage disposal systems.
11. Erosion: The wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of wind, water or ice.
12. Excavation: The artificial (i.e., mechanical, manual, blasting or other such) means for removal of earth material.
13. Final inspection: Field inspection conducted by the county engineer prior to project acceptance or release of assurances (if required).
14. Grade: The vertical location of the ground surface.
15. Grade, existing: The actual, current ground surface as of the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
16. Grade, finished: The final grade conforming to the approved grading sketch or plan.
17. Grade, rough: The stage at which grading substantially conforms with the approved grading sketch or plan.
18. Grading: The clearing, brushing, grubbing, excavating, or filling of a site.
19. Grading permit: An official document issued by the county engineer authorizing the grading activity specified by the grading permit conditions.
20. Grading permit conditions: The specifications and requirements of the approved grading sketch or grading plan, grading statement, soils report or other documents necessary for grading permit approval.
21. Grubbing: The removal of trees and other large plants by their roots.
22. Inspector: A person authorized by the county engineer or building official to perform inspection on grading work.
23. Retaining wall: A wall designed to withstand lateral and hydrostatic pressures and built to keep earth from sliding, and which is two feet or greater in height from the lowest point of earth at the foundation to the top of the wall.
24. Revegetation: Placement of living plant material on sites or cut and fill slopes where the natural vegetation has been removed.
25. Site: Any lot or parcel of land, or contiguous combination of lots and parcels under the same ownership or unified control, where grading is to be performed.
26. Slope: An inclined ground surface, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical distance (refer to Illustration 18.81-2, Section 18.81.110).
27. Soil: Naturally occurring deposits overlying bedrock.
28. Stabilization: Treatment with mitigation measures in accordance with the grading design manual, and approved by the county engineer that contribute to the erosion or siltation resistance, or the structural strength, of a graded area.
29. Stockpile: The storage of uncompacted earth material.
(Ord. 1998-50 § 2, 1998; Ord. 1990-61 § 1 (part), 1990; Ord. 1986-187 § 1 (part), 1986)