The following requirements are applicable to regular and supervised grading:
(a) The County Official shall cause the work to be inspected to the extent he or she deems necessary and may require inspection of excavations and fills and compaction control by a soils engineer. Rough and final grading inspection approvals sought for lots within major subdivisions shall be issued subject to any limitations imposed by section 81.404. At a minimum, the following inspections shall be required:
(1) Initial Site Inspection: A site inspection shall be performed prior to grading permit issuance.
(2) Rough Grading Inspection: Upon completion of rough grading and prior to issuance of a building permit, an inspection of the rough grading, and in particular the drainage and erosion control measures, shall be performed. All required landscaping shall be planted and irrigation systems installed prior to the rough grading inspection. The permittee shall complete and submit to the County Official a compaction report prior to or at the time of this inspection. The County Official shall approve the rough grading if he or she determines, based upon the inspection and the compaction report, that the rough grading complies with the requirements of the grading permit, section 81.404 in the case of grading completed for a major subdivision, and this Division.
(3) Final Grading Inspection: Upon completion of all grading, and prior to occupancy of any building or structure, a final grading inspection shall be performed. The County Official shall review the reports submitted pursuant to paragraph (c) below and shall determine that planting is established and that all irrigation systems are operational. The County Official shall approve the final grading if it conforms to all requirements of the grading permit, section 81.404 in the case of grading completed for a major subdivision, and this Division.
(b) The County Official may require sufficient inspection by the soil engineer to assure that the soil engineer has adequately considered all geological conditions. These inspections may be required to include, but need not be limited to inspection of cut slopes, canyons during clearing operations for ground water and earth material conditions, benches prior to placement of fill, and possible spring locations. Where geologic conditions warrant, the County Official may require periodic geologic reports.
(c) Reports of a soil engineer certifying the compaction or acceptability of all fills shall be filed with the County Official. The reports shall include but need not be limited to:
(1) inspection of cleared areas and benches prepared to receive fill and removal of all soil and unsuitable materials;
(2) the placement and compaction of fill materials;
(3) the bearing capacity of the fill to support structures;
(4) the inspection or review of the construction of retaining walls, subdrains, drainage facilities and devices, storm water protection devices, buttress fills, and other similar measures;
(5) excavation for and back filling of retaining walls; and
(6) where potentially expansive soils are present at either cut or fill grade, written recommendations regarding treatment given or to be given to such soils.
(Added by Ord. No. 9547 (N.S.), effective 5-9-03; amended by Ord. No. 10179 (N.S.), effective 11-11-11)