25.243 Gradinq permit requirements.

(a) Permits required. Except as exempted in sec. 4 [sec. 25.240] of this article, no person shall do any grading without first obtaining a grading permit from the city engineer. A separate permit shall be required for each site and may cover both excavations and fills.

(b) Application. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished for that purpose. Every such application shall:

(1) Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made;

(2) Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done, by lot, block, tract, and house and street address, or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work;

• (3) Indicate the quantities of work involved;

• (4) State the valuation of the proposed work;

• (5) Be signed by the permittee, or his authorized agent, who may be required to submit evidence to indicate such authority;

• (6) Give such other information as reasonably may be required by the city engineer.

(c) Plans and specifications. When required by the city engineer, each application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by two sets of plans and specifications, and supporting data consisting of a soil engineering report and engineering geology report. The plans and specifications shall be prepared and signed by a civil engineer when required by the city engineer.

(d) Information on plans and in specifications. Plans shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that they will conform to the provisions of this section and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. The first sheet of each set of plans shall give the location of the work and the name and address of the owner and the person by whom they were prepared. The plans shall include the following information:

• (1) General vicinity of the proposed site;

• (2) Property limits and accurate contours of existing ground and details of terrain and area drainage;

(3) Limiting dimensions, elevations or finish contours to be achieved by the grading, and proposed drainage channels and related construction.

(4) Detailed plans of all surface and subsurface drainage devices, walls, cribbing, dams and other protective devices to be constructed with, or as a part of, the proposed work together with a map showing the drainage area and the estimated runoff of the area served by any drains.

(5) Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is to be performed and the location of any buildings or structures on land of adjacent owners which are within 15 feet of the property which may be affected by the proposed grading operations.

(6) An erosion, sediment, and runoff control plan which indicates necessary land treatment, structural measures and timing requirements which will effectively minimize soil erosion, sedimentation, and rate of water runoff.

Specifications shall contain information covering construction and material requirements.

(e) Soil engineering report. The soil engineering report required by subsection (c) shall include the following:

• (1) Description of the site topography, drainage, and vegetation patterns.

• (2) Classification of the site soils and rocks, including subsurface cross-sections when appropriate.

(3) Sufficient borings, test pits, exploratory trenches, soil sampling and field and laboratory testing to determine geotechnical properties affecting structures and grading including:

• a. in-situ dry density and moisture content

• b. soil strength characteristics

• c. expansion potential for soils within 5 feet of finish grade

• d. compaction of existing fills

• e. permeability, when applicable

• f. R-values for areas to be paved

• g. resistivity and ph levels where buried metal pipes or piles are anticipated

• h. consolidation of:

• clay and compressible soils

• fills and receiving areas

• landslide deposits to be left in place

• (4) Findings, recommendations, mitigation measures and design criteria for:

• a. suitability of earth materials:

• replacement, reworking and blending requirements of existing materials

• specifications for imported fill

• b. slope stability

• c. bearing values and foundation design

• d. short/long term settlement potential including hydrocompression potential

• e. lateral loading factors and retaining wall design criteria

• f. landslide repair details

• g. surface and subsurface drainage details (subdrain design details)

• h. clearing and grubbing and grading specifications

• i. erosion control measures

• j. pavement section design criteria (rigid and flexible pavements)

• k. other design considerations identified by the geotechnical engineer

• l. items to be observed during construction

(5) Description of the seismic site response to a level of sophistication commensurate with the importance of the structure and criteria needed for structural analysis and design.

(6) A statement of suitability of the site from a geotechnical perspective for the intended use.

• (7) Recommendation of supplemental geologic/geotechnical studies if warranted.

• (8) A reference bibliography

• (9) A plan of the project area showing:

• a. existing topography

• b. delineation of:

• important geologic features

• fault traces

• landslides and areas of instability

• creeks, canals or drainage channels

• springs and subsurface water

• existing and proposed improvements

• boring, test pit and trench locations

• (10) Logs of subsurface explorations

(11) Tables, figures and details necessary to present field information, test data, findings and design recommendations in a clear and understandable format.

Recommendations included in the report and approved by the city engineer shall be incorporated in the grading plans and specifications.

(f) Engineering geology report. The engineering geology report required by subsection (c) shall include the following:

• (1) Description of the site geology and geologic structure (including geologic map and cross-sections).

• (2) Identification of the locations and limits of active and dormant landslides.

• (3) Discussion of the geomorphology, as applicable.

(4) Identification of the faults, seismicity, ground shaking, liquefaction, lateral spreading, lurch cracking, and settlement hazards.

• (5) Identification of any other geologic hazards.

(6) Conclusions and recommendations about the effect of geologic conditions on the project, including an assessment of the suitability of the site for the project.

Recommendations included in the report and approved by the city engineer shall be incorporated in the grading plans and specifications.

(g) Geotechnical peer review criteria. The following criteria will be used by the City of Fairfield to establish whether or not a geotechnical peer review will be required for a project:

(1) Landslides: Development areas where active or dormant landslides have been identified, or are likely to be present.

(2) Fault Zones: Development areas located within Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones or where geotechnical review indicates a probability of faulting or surface rupture.

(3) Hillside Developments: Development areas where slopes steeper than 7h:lv exist or are proposed within or directly adjacent to the project area.

(4) Substantial Grading: Development areas where substantial grading for access roads, utilities or building pads is proposed. Cuts or fills in excess of 5 feet shall constitute substantial grading.

(5) Creekside Development: Development areas with proposed building setbacks less than 200 feet from existing or proposed creeks, canals or drainage channels.

(6) Natural Springs: Development areas where natural springs, water seepage, or vegetation patterns suggest a high groundwater table that could affect ground stability, structures, or construction.

(7) Geologic Hazards: Development areas where potentially adverse geologic conditions exist such as old fill, liquefaction, lateral spreading or lurch cracking.

(8) Essential Facilities: Public buildings and improvements, as determined by the Public Works Director, to be essential facilities. Essential facilities include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Hospitals and health care facilities

• Fire stations and police stations

• Communication Centers

• Emergency Operation Centers

• Jails and Detention Centers

• Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities

• Dams and reservoirs

• Pump stations

• Storm water detention/retention basins

(9) Isolated Developments: Residential developments serving more than 100 units with only one vehicular access or only one point of connection to the public water system.

(h) Issuance. The city engineer may require that grading operations and project designs be modified if delays occur which incur weather generated problems not considered at the time permit was issued.

(Ord. No. 95-20 § 1.)