Grading must be designed and performed to respect the natural topography of a site. The principals of contour grading must be used to blend manufactured slopes with the natural topography as follows:
(A) Manufactured slopes must be rounded and shaped to simulate the natural terrain.
(B) Grading must follow the natural topographic contours.
(C) Where cut or fill slopes exceed 200 feet in horizontal length, the horizontal contours of the slope must be curved in a continuous, sinuous manner with varying radii to reflect the natural terrain.
(D) Manufactured slopes must blend with adjacent natural slopes at a radius comparable with the existing natural terrain.
(E) Grading on slopes of 30% or greater is prohibited, except as necessary as determined by the City Engineer or Building Official.
(F) Grading in the hillside areas shall be limited to that necessary to construct a driveway to serve the dwelling, the footprint of the dwelling, a walkway around the house seven feet in width, and a patio area of 300 square feet. The Planning Commission may modify these standards to be less or more restrictive, depending on the particular characteristics of the lot. The intent of this division is to avoid any grading which is not required to accommodate a house and the access to the house, and to eliminate cut and fill slopes except in driveway areas when absolutely necessary.
(Ord. 1103, passed 3-7-05)