(A) Description. Grading shall consist of clearing and grubbing, removal of existing structures, excavating, filling, spreading, and compacting the areas to be filled in accordance with drawings and specifications on file in the Zoning Administrator’s office and in conformity with the lines, grades, slopes, and typical cross-sections shown on the accepted plans.
(B) Material. Material for the fill shall consist of material obtained from the excavation of banks, borrow pits, or other approved sources. The material used shall be free from vegetable matter and other deleterious substances and shall not contain large rocks or lumps.
(C) Construction methods.
(1) Grading tolerance. Areas to be graded by cutting or filling shall be rough graded to within two-tenths of a foot of the accepted elevation after necessary allowance has been made for the thickness of topsoil, paved areas, and other installations.
(2) Stripping and storing topsoil. Where suitable topsoil exists on areas to be disturbed by grading or building operations, the topsoil shall be stripped in the amount needed to complete finish grading operations, and shall be piled in convenient locations for storage during construction.
(3) Clearing and grubbing. All timber, logs, trees, brush, vegetable matter, and other rubbish shall be removed, piled, and burned or otherwise disposed of so as to leave the areas that have been disturbed with a neat and finished appearance.
(4) Removal of debris.
(a) All tree stumps, masonry, and other obstructions shall be removed to a depth as follows.
For paved areas: | 2’ below subgrade |
For lawn areas: | 2’ below finished grade |
(b) Solid rock, shale, or other similar material shall be removed to a depth as follows.
For paved areas: | 15” below subgrade |
For lawn areas: | 2’ below finished grade, except when it is impractical to remove rock outcropping |
(5) Preparing areas to be filled. In order to ensure proper bond and prevent slipping between the original ground and the fill, the surface of the original ground shall be scarified to a reasonable depth. Where fills are made on hillsides or slopes, the slope of the original ground upon which the fill is to be placed shall be plowed or scarified deeply. Where the nature of the ground justifies taking greater precautions for binding the fill to the original ground, steps shall be cut into the original ground before filling is begun.
(6) Placing, spreading, and compacting fill material.
(a) The selected fill material shall be placed in layers which, when compacted, shall not exceed eight inches. Each layer shall be spread evenly and shall be thoroughly blade-mixed during spreading to ensure uniformity of material in each layer.
(b) The moisture content of the fill material shall be such that the fill can be compacted to maximum practical density. If the moisture content of the fill material is below the needed amount necessary to create the necessary density, the proper amount of water shall be added. Similarly, if the moisture content of the fill material is above the needed amount necessary to create the desired density, the fill material shall be aerated by blading or other satisfactory method until the moisture content of the fill material is satisfactory.
(c) After each layer has been placed, mixed, and evenly spread, it shall be thoroughly compacted to maximum practical density. Compaction shall be by means of tamping or sheeps foot rollers, multiple-wheel pneumatic-tired rollers, or other types of rollers or equivalent which will be able to compact the fill to the desired density. Rolling shall be accomplished while the fill material is at the desired moisture content. Rolling of each layer shall be continuous over its entire area and sufficient trips shall be made by the rolling equipment to ensure that the desired maximum practical density has been obtained.
(7) Completion of general grading. Excavating of out areas shall continue until these areas conform with the lines, grades, slopes, and typical cross-sections shown on the accepted plans. Placing, spreading, filling, and compacting areas to be filled shall also be continued alternately until these areas conform with the lines, grades, slopes, and typical cross-sections shown on the accepted plans.
(D) Seasonal limits. No fill material shall be placed, spread, or rolled while the ground or fill is frozen or thawing or during unfavorable weather conditions. When the work is interrupted by heavy rain, fill operations shall not be resumed until the moisture content and density of the fill are as previously specified.
(2005 Code, § 91.45) (Ord. 69, passed 8-2-1966) Penalty, see § 91.99