(a) Objective. It shall be the objective of grading regulations to provide grading which will divert surface water away from buildings and dispose of such water without harmful effects on neighboring property, to preserve desirable site features and to provide grades and gradients for safe and convenient access to and around buildings and lots for their normal use and maintenance. The final grade at the building shall not be closer than eight inches to the wood or other corrodible siding or exterior trim.
(b) Surface Drainage. Positive drainage shall be provided for each lot or plot by proper draining so that a nuisance will not be created. Catch basins or properly connected under-drains shall be installed, or other approved provisions made where water may pocket, to preclude the accumulation of surface water. Regrading shall be done so that existing natural ground drainage of the surrounding area is not impeded.
The Building Official may adopt rules or plans for the drainage of lots or plots, which rules or plans shall be followed by the owner unless permission for deviation is given by the Nuisance Board of Appeals. When a lot or plot is graded to a higher or lower level than the natural grade on an adjacent property, the owner of such lot or plot shall provide suitable slopes or retaining walls or other protection approved by the Building Official on his own property to preserve the natural slope or surface elevation of such adjacent property.
(c) Footing Drains. When a floor is below the adjoining ground and subsoil conditions are such as to permit groundwater to accumulate adjacent to the foundation, footing drains shall be installed alongside the outside face of the base of the foundation. Such drains shall be not less than four-inch diameter pipe of a type and construction to intercept and carry groundwater without permitting the infiltration of soil into the pipe. Footing drains shall have a continuous slope of not less than one-sixteenth inch per foot, discharging into the building storm sewer or other outlet approved by the Building Official.
(d) Backfill Over Footing Drains. The backfill over footing drains shall be pervious material of the type, size and gradation required for the particular type of drain construction being used and shall be carried up at least eight inches over drain tile but not closer than twelve inches of the established surface grade. The top twelve inches of the backfill shall consist of six inches of an impervious (clay) soil, topped with six inches of a clay topsoil if the surface is to be covered with lawn or shrubs. If the surface adjacent to the foundation wall is to be paved or have some similar treatment, then the backfill near the top may be a suitable base for such construction.
(e) Roof and Yard Drainage. Unless otherwise specifically approved by the Building Official, roof drainage shall be handled by suitable collectors and downspouts which shall discharge into a sealed-jointed storm drain of not less than four-inch diameter with a slope of one-fourth inch or more per foot. Where a storm sewer or other storm drainage outlet is not available, downspouts may discharge onto splash blocks or into other devices provided that no excess water will flow onto adjoining property or over sidewalks. The storm drain outlet, carrying roof water or yard drainage shall be not less than six-inch diameter, and shall not connect to the footing drain, but may intercept and receive the outlet of the footing drain by a wye connection above the spring line. Connection of any pipe, carrying roof water or yard drainage to a sanitary sewer is prohibited.
(Ord. 1992-61. Passed 6-22-92.)