Chico Municipal Code Ch. 16R.22 Grading Standards

Section:

16R.22.010 Adoption of standards.

The following regulations shall constitute the grading standards of the City and shall apply to and govern the forms of any grading work in the city in accordance with the provisions of Section 16.26.020 of this code:

A. All regulations set forth in Section 1803, Section 1803A, and Appendix J of the 2025 California Building Code ("CBC"), as promulgated in Part 2, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.

B. All regulations adopted in this chapter, including amending volumes, chapters, sections or appendices of the CBC.

(Res. No. 103 90-91 §1 (part), Res. No. 41 92-93 §6, Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)

16R.22.020 Sediment control.

A. Sediment caused by grading shall be retained on the site. The maximum permanent rate of sediment loss after completion of the project should not exceed the natural erosion rate which occurred prior to any grading, erosion and sediment control measures shall be immediately implemented to prevent erosion.

B. Prior to any grading activity sediment basins, sediment traps, or similar sediment control measures required by MS4 or SWPPP, temporary or permanent, shall be installed.

C. Upon completion of construction and stabilization of soils, all temporary erosion control facilities shall be removed from the site upon written approval of the building official.

(Res. No. 103 90-91 §1 (part), Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)

16R.22.030 Grading practices and setbacks.

A. During grading operations mitigation measures shall be in place to prevent any damaging effects of sediment production and dust on the project site and other properties.

B. The setbacks specified by CBC Appendix J, are minimum requirements and may be increased by the building official or by the recommendation of a civil engineer, soils engineer, or engineering geologist, if necessary, for safety and stability, or to prevent damage to other properties from deposition or erosion, or to provide access for slope maintenance and drainage. Retaining walls and/or deep foundations may be used to reduce the required setbacks when approved by the building official.

(Res. No. 103 90-91 §1 (part), Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)

16R.22.040 Control of runoff.

In order to prevent polluting discharges from occurring, approved erosion and sediment control devices shall be installed prior to any grading and filling activities. Control devices and measures shall be submitted to the city for approval and may be required include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Energy absorbing devices to reduce the velocity of runoff water;

B. Sedimentation controls, such as sediment debris basins and sediment traps. Trapped sediment shall be removed to a site approved by the building official;

C. Disposal of water runoff from developed areas over large undisturbed areas;

D. Multiple discharge points to reduce the volume of runoff over localized areas.

(Res. No. 103 90-91 §1 (part), Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)

16R.22.050 Revegetation and slope surface stabilization.

A. Mulching, seeding, the planting of shrubs and trees, or other suitable stabilization measures shall be used to protect exposed slopes as necessary to control erosion, sedimentation and slope stability. Preference is given to native or locally adapted grasses, shrubs and woody vegetation.

B. Earth or paved interceptors and diversions shall be installed at the top of cut or fill slopes where there is a potential for erosive surface runoff.

C. Revegetation shall be maintained at all times by the owner.

(Res. No. 103 90-91 §1 (part), Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)

16R.22.060 Protection of watercourses.

A. There shall be no fill that would block or change natural watercourses or constructed channels unless all Federal, State, and local permits have been approved and issued.

B. Fill placed within a floodway, floodplain, manmade or natural drainage, watercourse, or body of water shall follow and maintain the required protection against erosion during flooding, as required in the grading permit.

C. Excavated materials shall not be deposited or stored in or alongside the streams, lakes, manmade or natural drainages, or watercourses where the materials have the potential to be washed away by high water or storm runoff.

(Res. No. 103 90-91 §1 (part), Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)

16R.22.070 Disposal of cleared material and fill.

Vegetation, dirt and rocks removed during clearing operations shall be identified on the grading permit and may be disposed by one or more of the following methods:

A. Chipping all or some of the cleared vegetation for use as mulch or compost on the site or other approved location;

B. Disposing the balance of the material at a city approved site or in a location approved by the building official with a grading permit for the receiving parcel.

(Res. No. 103 90-91 §1 (part), Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)

16R.22.080 Excavated materials.

Excavated materials removed during grading operations shall be identified on the grading permit and be handled in accordance with the following methods:

A. Stockpiling sufficient topsoil on the site if necessary, for use on areas to be revegetated.

B. Locating stockpiled soil so that it will not become a source for off-site sediment damage.

C. Promptly backfilling and compacting stockpiled soil into trenches and pits to reduce the risk of erosion.

D. Applying mulch or other protective coverings on stockpiled material which will be exposed through the winter season.

E. Excavated material not to be used at the site shall be disposed at a city approved site or in a location approved by the building official with a grading permit for the receiving parcel.

(Res. No. 103 90-91 §1 (part), Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)

16R.22.090 Completion of work.

When required by the building official, the engineer of record shall verify that final grading complies with approved plans prior to final inspection by the City.

(Res. No. 103 90-91§1 (part), Ord. No. 2540 §11, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §11; Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §11)