For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
(a) “Bedrock” shall mean in-place solid rock.
(b) “City Engineer” and “Public Works Director” shall mean that person charged with the responsibility of coordinating all phases of engineering for the City government. He shall be the custodian of and be responsible for, all maps, plans, profiles, field notes, and other records and memoranda belonging to the City and pertaining to his office and the work thereof. It shall also be his responsibility to enforce all State and City regulations, laws, policies, standards, and the like pertaining to his office and work and to delegate authority and responsibilities to subordinates under his jurisdiction. “City Engineer” and “Public Works Director” shall further mean the officer charged with the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter or his duly authorized representative.
(c) “Civil engineer” shall mean a civil engineer duly registered by the State.
(d) “Community Development Director” shall mean that person charged with the responsibility of directing all phases of the Community Development Department and the enforcement of all State statutes and City laws pertaining to his office, or his duly authorized representative.
(e) “Compaction” shall mean the densification of fill by mechanical means.
(f) “Constant” shall mean all times during which grading is in progress.
(g) “Continuous” shall mean periodically during the day.
(h) “Engineering geologist” shall mean an engineering geologist registered by the State and capable of applying the geological sciences to engineering practices for the purpose of assuring that the geological features affecting the location, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately provided for.
(i) “Existing grade” shall mean the vertical location of the existing ground surface prior to excavating or filling.
(j) “Expansive soil” shall mean that soil with an expansion of four (4%) percent or more with a sixty (60) pound per square foot load applied under standard test methods as set forth by the City Engineer.
(k) “Fill” shall mean deposits of soil, rock, or other materials placed by man.
(l) “Finished grade” shall mean the final grade or elevation of the building site, slope, or terrace (0.1 plus or minus feet).
(m) “Hillside designation.” For the purposes of this chapter “hillside” shall be construed to mean all of that area within the City boundary lines as shown on Exhibit “A,” on file in the office of the City Clerk, and by reference made a part of this chapter, except any area having slopes less than five (5%) percent, which slopes shall not be considered “hillside.” It shall be the prerogative of the Council to designate other areas as “hillside” areas, based upon the natural topography of the area, supplemented by contours shown on plans, and submitted in conjunction with an appropriate development permit or other application or tentative tract map.
(n) “Landmark tree” shall have that meaning as defined in Article 43 of Chapter 4 of Title 9 of this Code.
(o) “Landscape architect” shall mean a landscape architect licensed as such under the laws of the State.
(p) “Normal inspection hours” for services provided pursuant to or in connection with the provisions of this chapter shall mean from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Holidays shall be defined as those week days (exclusive of Saturdays) shown as nonworking days on the working day calendar of the City.
(q) “Rough grade” shall mean the approximate elevation of the ground surface conforming to the proposed design (0.5 plus or minus feet).
(r) “Site” shall mean any lot or parcel of land, or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership where grading is performed or permitted.
(s) “Slope” shall mean a stretch of ground forming a natural or artificial incline, including a retaining wall.
(t) “Soil” shall mean all earth material, of whatever origin, which overlies bedrock.
(u) “Soils engineer” shall mean a civil engineer duly registered by the State who is experienced in soil mechanics and slope stability analysis. His primary duties shall encompass the investigation of proposed grading sites and tracts as related to the stability of the finished graded product. The soils engineer shall have proper laboratory facilities available in which to perform any and all testing required to properly evaluate materials under consideration.
(v) “Stage grading” shall mean altering the gross contours of the ground, but shall not involve altering the ground to the precise contours and elevations suitable for the construction of structures, parking lots, driveways, permanent drainage structures, curbs, gutters, or other street improvements, or the construction of such improvements, or the placement of base materials.
(w) “Supervising civil engineer” shall mean a civil engineer, registered in the State, who has general charge of the design and construction of the earthwork on the project. The supervising civil engineer on a project shall have thorough knowledge of the construction so that he will be able to sign the “as built” plans, both as to line and grade and compliance with the grading regulations (in conjunction with the soils engineer and geologist) and the specifications for the job. The engineer of the developer may also be the supervising civil engineer.
(§ 2, Ord. 156-NS, eff. August 27, 1970, as amended by § I, Ord. 534-NS, eff. June 19, 1975, § 4, Ord. 1098-NS, eff. April 11, 1991, § 11, Ord. 1217-NS, eff. October 28, 1994, § III, Ord. 1475-NS, eff. February 22, 2007, and Part 15, Ord. 1610-NS, eff. January 15, 2016)