Gridley Municipal Code Ch. 15.14 Grading Regulations - Standards

No person shall perform any grading work which fails to comply with or violates the grading standards.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

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:

A. All regulations set forth in Section 3308 and Section 3312 through and including Section 3318 of Appendix Chapter 33 of the California Building Code, 2001 Edition, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials and the California Building Standards Commission (hereafter referred to as the "California Building Code" or "CBC").

B. All regulations adopted in this chapter, including any regulations adopted in this chapter amending sections of the California Building Code, shall take precedence over the amended section of the California Building Code.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

A. Sediment caused by the grading project shall be retained on the site to the greatest extent feasible. The maximum permanent rate of sediment loss after completion of the project should not exceed the natural erosion rate which occurred prior to the grading project. If, in the opinion of the building official, excessive erosion occurs from the project, erosion and sediment control measures shall be immediately implemented to reduce erosion to allowable levels.

B. If required by the building official, sediment basins, sediment traps, or similar sediment control measures, temporary or permanent, shall be installed prior to clearing and grading operations. Upon completion of construction and stabilization of soils, all temporary erosion control measures shall be removed from the site upon written approval of the building official.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

A. Grading operations shall be conducted so as to mitigate damaging effects of sediment production and dust on the project site and other properties.

B. The setbacks specified by Section 3314 of Appendix Chapter 33 of the 2001 CBC, are minimum requirements and may be increased by the building official or by the recommendations 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.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

In order to prevent polluting discharges from occurring, approved erosion and sediment control devices shall be required for all grading and filling. Control devices and measures which 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 an on-site or off-site location 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.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

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 shall be given to use 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 potential for erosive surface runoff

C. Revegetation shall be maintained by the owner until permanent establishment is achieved.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

A. Fills shall not block or change natural watercourses or constructed channels unless approved by the building official.

B. Fills placed in a 100-year floodplain of watercourses or waterbodies shall have suitable protection against erosion during flooding.

C. Excavated materials shall not be deposited or stored in or alongside the streams, lakes, or watercourses where the materials may be washed away by high water or storm runoff.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

Vegetation, dirt and rocks removed during clearing operations shall be deposed of 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 of the balance of the material in a location approved by the building official.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

Excavated materials removed during grading operations shall 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 used at the site shall be disposed of in a manner and at a location approved by the building official.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

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.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

Except when otherwise specifically provided for therein, the grading standards shall not apply to any existing condition if the condition:

A. Was legally established prior to the enact/nein or amendment of such standards;

B. Complies with the standards, if any, in effect at the time the existing condition was first established; and

C. Has been determined by the building official not to be hazardous to life, property or the environment.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

When grading is performed as part of a project for which an environmental impact report, mitigated negative declaration, or other environmental document was prepared, the grading shall comply with all applicable mitigation measures identified in that document and imposed on the project as conditions of approval.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

A. The grading standards are not intended to prevent methods of grading work other than those specifically proscribed by such standards, and the building official may approve any alternative method of grading work upon finding that the alternative method is consistent with the provisions of the grading standards regarding stability of cuts and fills, drainage, erosion control and environmental protection.

B. The building official shall cause details of every approved alternative method of work to be recorded and entered in the files of the building division relating to the property on which the work is to be performed.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

A. When there are practical difficulties in complying with particular provisions of the grading standards, the building official may approve a variance from those provisions upon finding that:

1. Compliance with those provisions is impossible or impracticable;

2. The proposed variance is consistent with the purpose of the standards; and

3. The proposed variance will not result in a condition hazardous to life, property or the environment.

B. The building official shall cause the details of every approved variance to be entered into the files of the building division relating to the property on which the grading work is to be performed.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

If the grading standards conflict with any applicable federal or state law in a particular circumstance, that standard which provides the most protection for life, property and the environment, as determined by the building official, shall govern. However, if any federal or state law or regulation applies in a particular circumstance and expressly preempts a provision of the grading standards which applies to the same subject matter, the standard in the federal or state law or regulation shall govern.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)

A. Consistent with Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) indirect Source Review Guidelines, the following construction dust and equipment exhaust emissions measures shall be implemented:

1. Water all active construction sites at least twice daily. Frequency should be based on the type of operation, soil and wind exposure.

2. Use chemical soil stabilizers on inactive construction areas (disturbed lands within construction projects that are unused for at least four consecutive days).

3. On-site vehicles limited to a speed of 15 miles per hour on unpaved roads.

4. Land clearing, grading, earthmoving or excavation activities suspended when winds exceed 20 miles per hour.

5. Non-toxic binders (e.g., latex acrylic copolymer) should be applied to exposed areas after cut and fill operations.

6. Plant vegetative ground cover In disturbed areas as soon as possible.

7. Cover Inactive storage piles.

8. Paved streets adjacent to the development site should be swept or washed at the end of each day as necessary to remove excessive accumulations of slit and/or mud which my have accumulated as a result of activities on the development site.

9. Post a publicly visible sign with the telephone number and person to contact regarding dust complaints. This person shall respond and take corrective action within 24 hours. The telephone number of the BCAQMD shall also be visible to ensure compliance with BCAQMD Rule 201 and 207 (Nuisance and Fugitive Dust Emissions).

10. Prior to final occupancy, the applicant demonstrates that all ground surfaces are covered or treated sufficiently to minimize fugitive dust emissions.

11. Construction equipment exhaust emission shall not exceed District Rule 202 "Visible Emission" limitations.

12. Construction activities shall utilize existing power sources (e.g., power poles) or clean fuel generators rather than temporary power generators.

13. Primary contractor shall be responsible to ensure that all construction equipment Is properly tuned and maintained.

14. The contractor shall employ construction activity techniques such as the following: reducing the number of pieces used simultaneous, increasing the distance between emission sources, reducing or changing the hours of construction and scheduling activity during off-peak hours when feasible.

B. If any archaeological or historical sites are uncovered during grading activities, then work shall cease et the uncovered site. A qualified archaeologist shall evaluate the site, then prepare a written report describing the significance of the site and making recommendations on its disposition. The city shall comply with the recommendations made in the report. Work shall not resume at the uncovered site until final disposition of the site is completed.

(Ord. 758-2005 (part), 2005)