Chapter 716-8 — REGULATIONS

Cuts shall not be steeper in slope than one vertical to two horizontal unless the applicant furnishes a soil engineering or an engineering geology report, or both, certifying that the site has been investigated and giving an opinion that a cut at a steeper slope will be stable and not create a hazard to public or private property. The county building official may require the excavation to be made with a cut face flatter in slope than one vertical to two horizontal if he finds it necessary for stability and safety.

(Ords. 99-46 § 12: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Cut slopes exceeding forty feet in vertical height shall have drainage terraces not less than five feet (1.524 meters) in width, measured from the outer edge of the terrace to the invert of the drain, at vertical intervals not exceeding thirty feet (9.144 meters) except that where only one such terrace is required it shall be located at mid-height. For cut slopes exceeding one hundred feet (30.48 meters) in vertical height, the drainage terrace near mid-height shall be not less than twelve feet (3.657 meters) in width. Design and construction of drainage terraces shall conform to the requirements of Sections 716-8.602—716-8.614.

(Ords. 99-46 § 12: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Cut slopes shall be rounded off at the top and toe to blend and conform to existing terrain.

(Ords. 99-46 § 12: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Variations from the regulations in Sections 716-8.202—716-8.206 may be allowed by the county building official if they will provide equivalent safety, stability, and protection against erosion, as recommended by a soil engineer or engineering geologist.

(Ords. 99-46 § 12: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Article 716-8.4. Fills

Except as provided below, all fills shall be compacted throughout their full extent to a minimum of ninety percent of maximum density. Field density shall be determined by a method acceptable to the building official

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Compaction may be reduced to eighty-five percent of maximum density, as determined by the above test, within the outer eight inches (203.3 millimeters) of fill slope surfaces when such compaction is provided by grid rolling or equivalent means.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Fills not intended to support structures, subdivision streets or improvements need not be compacted to these standards if the county building official determines that such compaction is unnecessary as a safety measure. In making this determination, the county building official may require that an investigation be made by an approved soil testing agency to establish the characteristics of the soil, the amount of settlement to be expected and the susceptibility of the soil to erosion or slippage.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Slope surfaces may be prepared for planting by scarifying, by addition of top soil, or by other methods, if such loose material does not exceed a depth of three inches (76.2 millimeters) and said slopes otherwise comply with the requirements of Sections 716-8.402—716-8.424.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

The natural ground surface shall be prepared to receive fill by removing vegetation or other incompetent material. Where the slope of the natural grade is one vertical to five horizontal or steeper, the fill shall be supported on benches cut into competent material.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Compacted fill shall not create an exposed slope surface steeper than one vertical to two horizontal. The county building official may require a flatter slope if necessary for stability and safety. Slopes of fills which are not compacted in accordance with Sections 716-8.402—716-8.408 shall not exceed three horizontal to one vertical.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

No organic or other reducible material shall be incorporated in fills. Except as recommended by the soil engineer and approved by the county building official no rock or similar irreducible material with a maximum dimension greater than eight inches (203.2 millimeters) shall be buried or placed within forty- eight inches (249.4 millimeters) of finish grade.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Fill slopes exceeding thirty feet (9.144 meters) in vertical height shall have drainage terraces not less than five feet (1.524 meters) in width, measured from the outer edge of the terrace to the invert of the drain, at vertical intervals not exceeding twenty-five feet (7.62 meters) except that where only one such terrace is required it shall be located at mid-height. For fill slopes exceeding one hundred feet (34.8 meters) in vertical height, the drainage terrace near mid-height shall be not less than twelve feet (3.6578 meters) in width. Design and construction of drainage terraces shall conform to the requirements of Sections 716-8.602— 716-8.614.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Where fill is to be placed above the top of an existing or proposed cut or natural slope steeper than one vertical to three horizontal, the toe of the fill shall be set back from the top edge of the slope a minimum distance of six feet, (1.829 meters) measured horizontally or such other distance as may be specifically recommended by a soil engineer or engineering geologist and approved by the county building official. Fills shall not toe out on slopes steeper than one vertical to three horizontal.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Fill slopes shall be tapered into the existing terrain at the toe and shall be rounded off at the top.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

(a)

The property line of any proposed or existing site or parcel located within the grading project shall be located at the top of the slope or along any slope drainage terrace.

(b)

Excavation and fill slopes shall be set back a minimum of three feet (0.914 meters) plus one-fifth the vertical height of the slope from the project boundary line with a maximum of ten feet (3.048 meters).

(c)

Buildings and structures shall be set back from excavation or fill slopes a minimum of four feet (1.219 meters) plus one-fifth the vertical height of the slope, with a maximum of ten feet (3.048 meters).

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Variations from the regulations in Sections 716-8.402—716-8.422 may be allowed by the county building official if they will provide equivalent safety, stability, and protection against erosion, as recommended by a soil engineer or engineering geologist.

(Ords. 99-46 § 13: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Article 716-8.6. Drainage

Storm drainage structures, systems and facilities shall be provided as required by the county building official and in accordance with standard specifications on file in the building inspection department. Design shall be in accordance with recognized principles of hydraulics.

(Ords. 99-46 § 14: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

* For drainage permits, see Ch. 1010-8.

All drainage facilities shall be designed to carry surface waters to the nearest practical street, storm drain, or natural watercourse, approved by the county building official as a safe place to discharge such waters. If

the drainage device discharges onto natural ground, rip-rap or a similar energy dissipator may be required.

(Ords. 99-46 § 14: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Graded building sites (building pads) shall have a minimum slope of two percent towards a public street or drainage facility approved to receive storm waters. A lesser slope may be approved by the county building official for sites graded in relatively flat terrain, or where special drainage provisions are made, when he finds such modification will not result in unfavorable drainage conditions.

(Ords. 99-46 § 14: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

(a)

All swales or ditches on drainage terraces shall have a uniform longitudinal grade of not less than one percent nor more than three percent and a minimum depth of one foot (0.305 meters) at the deepest part. Such terraces shall drain into a paved gutter, pipe or approved watercourse adequate to convey the water to a safe disposal area.

(b)

The drainage terrace shall be provided with a lined ditch, if required by the soil engineer for stability or prevention of erosion: The lined ditch shall be constructed with a five percent minimum slope to provide self cleaning.

(Ords. 99-46 § 14: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Berms, swales or other devices shall be provided at the top of cut or fill slopes to prevent surface waters from flowing over or onto, and damaging the face of the slope. Special drainage provisions shall be made where a building or structure exists within five feet (1.524 meters) of the top of a slope.

(Ords. 99-46 § 14: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

The permittee and/or owner shall maintain drainage facilities, in conformance with the requirements of this division, during and after construction.

(Ords. 99-46 § 14: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Variations from the regulations in Sections 716-8.602—716-8.612 may be allowed by the county building official if they will provide equivalent safety, stability, and protection against erosion, as recommended by a

one vertical to three horizontal soil engineer or engineering geologist and recommended by the county flood control district.

(Ords. 99-46 § 14: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Article 716-8.8. Erosion Control Planting

The surface of all erodible cut slopes more than five feet in height and fill slopes more than three feet in height shall be protected against erosion by planting with grass or ground cover plants. The plants and planting methods shall be suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the site and in accordance with standard specifications on file in the county building inspection department.

(Ord. 69-59 § 1, 1969)

The planting shall be installed after rough grading. Final approval of the work shall be made when growth is established on the slopes.

(Ord. 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Variations from the regulations in Sections 716-8.802—716-8.806 may be allowed by the building official if they will provide equivalent safety, stability, and protection against erosion, as recommended by a soil engineer or engineering geologist.

(Ord. 69-59 § 1, 1969)

Article 716-8.10. Miscellaneous Provisions

716-8.1002 - Work during rainfall months.

Excavation, grading or construction of fills may be prohibited by the county building official during the months in which he finds that rainfall will likely preclude compliance with these requirements.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

716-8.1004 - Work hours.

If operations under the permit are within five hundred feet (152.4 meters) of residential or commercial occupancies, except as otherwise provided by conditions of approval for the project, grading operations shall be limited to weekdays and to the hours, between seven-thirty a.m. and five-thirty p.m., except that maintenance and service work on equipment may be performed at any time.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

716-8.1006 - Encroachments on rights-of-way.

Encroachment of operations on public rights-of-way without an encroachment permit from the governing body is prohibited except for hauling of legal loads by vehicles permitted by law to operate on public roads.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

716-8.1008 - Nuisances.

Operations shall be controlled to prevent nuisances to public and private ownerships because of dust, drainage, removal of natural support of land and structures, encroachment, noise, and/or vibration.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

716-8.1010 - Explosives.

Blasting or other use of explosives shall be conducted in accordance with regulations by the board of supervisors, the state fire marshal, and local fire authorities.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

716-8.1012 - Responsibility of permittee.

(a)

Compliance With Plans and This Division. The permittee, his agent, contractor or employee, shall carry out the proposed work only in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and in compliance with all the requirements of this division.

(b)

Inspections. In performing regular development work it shall be the responsibility of the permittee to notify the county building official at least one working day in advance so that the inspections required by Sections 716-6.002—716-6.012 can be made.

(c)

Protection of Utilities. During grading operations the permittee shall be responsible for the prevention of damage to any public utilities or services.

(d)

Temporary Erosion Control. The permittee shall effect and maintain precautionary measures necessary to protect adjacent watercourses and public or private property from damage by erosion, flooding, and deposition of mud or debris originating from the side.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

716-8.1014 - Reports required—Final approval.

The county building official may require the following reports, and shall not finally approve any development or work until all required maps and reports have been submitted and approved:

(a)

A final report by the civil engineer certifying that all grading, lot drainage and drainage facilities have been completed and the slope planning installed in conformance with the approved plans and the requirements of this code with a final contour map if the work is not in substantial conformity with the approved plans;

(b)

A report by the soil engineer including the recommended soil bearing capacity, a statement as to the expansive qualities of the soil, and summaries of field and laboratory tests. The location of such tests and the limits of the compacted fill shall be shown on a final plan which shall also show by plan and cross- section the location of any subdrains, rock disposal areas and/or buttress fills involved in the work;

(c)

An engineering geologist's report based on the final contour map including specific approval of the grading as affected by geological factors. The report shall include a revised geologic map and cross-sections, with recommendations regarding the location of buildings or sewage disposal systems.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

716-8.1016 - Evaluation of existing fill.

The county building official may require the submission of a preliminary soil investigation report and/or engineering geological report before issuing a building permit for a structure to be placed on any fill or embankment constructed before August 11, 1969, or excepted from the requirement for a grading permit, or on any other lot or parcel on which critically expansive soils, slide conditions, or other soils or geologic hazards exist or may reasonably be anticipated to exist. If the county building official determines that the action recommended in this report is likely to prevent structural damage to the proposed structure, he shall approve the report and the recommended action contained in the report shall become a part of the required construction as a condition of the permit.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)

716-8.1018 - Site evaluation and investigation.

(a)

The county building official may conduct a field investigation and site evaluation of a lot or parcel prior to application for a grading and/or building permit if the owner submits a written request and the fee required by Section 716-4.1014.

(b)

The investigation shall determine what information, engineering data or plans will be required to be submitted with the application for grading and/or building permits and under what conditions the permits

would be issued.

(c)

No fees or written request will be necessary after an application for a building and/or grading permit has been accepted or if the county building official initiates the field investigation.

(Ords. 99-46 § 15: 69-59 § 1, 1969)