Paso Robles Municipal Code Ch. 20.20 Control of Drainage, Erosion and Dust Control

A. A site-specific erosion and sediment control plan (ESCP) shall be required to be prepared and submitted with every application for a grading or building permit.

1. The ESCP shall be developed per Section III(2.1) Erosion and Sediment Control Plan of the Public Works, Engineering Division.

2. The ESCP and any subsequent revisions shall be approved in writing by the city engineer or director of public works prior to permit issuance.

3. A storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) developed pursuant to the state construction general permit may be substituted for the ESCP where a SWPPP is developed. The SWPPP must be reviewed by the city to determine if it meets the ESCP requirements.

B. The period between September 1st and April 30th is determined to be the period in which most rainfall occurs within the city. Whenever it appears that any grading project previously commenced pursuant to a permit issued by the city engineer will not be completed prior to the rainy season, erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed per the ESCP.

C. All erosion control devices, including the desilting basins, shall be installed not later than August 15th of each year.

D. Should the owner fail to install erosion and sediment control measures required by the dates specified therein, it shall be deemed that a default has occurred under the conditions of the grading permit bond. Thereupon the city engineer may enter the property for the purpose of installing, by city forces or by other means, the drainage and erosion control devices shown on the approved plans, or as he may deem necessary to protect adjoining property from storm damage, or the city engineer may cause the owner of the site to be prosecuted as a violator of this chapter, or he may take both actions or pursue any other legal remedies.

(Ord. No. 994 N.S., § 4, 8-20-2013)

Seasonal Limits.

A. No fill material shall be placed, spread or rolled at such time or times that weather conditions are considered unfavorable by the city engineer. When the work is interrupted by heavy rain, fill operations shall not be resumed until field tests by the soils engineer indicate that the moisture content and density of the fill materials meet the requirements of this chapter.

B. The design and construction of desilting basins which discharge drainage onto city streets or natural watercourses shall be under the control of the engineering division.

C. Grading work shall be limited or ceased if the city engineer finds that its continuance will constitute a hazard to person or property during the period September 1st through April 30th.

(Ord. 702 N.S. (part), 1995; Ord. No. 994 N.S., § 4, 8-20-2013)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 994 N.S., § 4, adopted August 20, 2013, repealed § 20.20.020, erosion control, and renumbered § 20.20.010, drainage control, as § 20.20.020, and amended it to read as set out herein. Former § 20.20.020 pertained to erosion control and was derived from Ord. 702 N.S. (part), adopted 1995.

A. Irrigation.

1. Plans for irrigation systems in public rights-of-way shall be submitted to and approved by the department of public works prior to installation.

2. Adequate backflow protection shall be installed in each sprinkler system as required by the plumbing code and city engineer.

3. A functional test of the irrigation system shall be performed by the installer for all irrigation systems prior to approval.

B. Landscaping.

1. General.

a. When the city has required the installation of landscaping for erosion control or for aesthetics, the permittee, or his authorized representatives, shall be responsible for installing all landscaping in accordance with an approved landscaping planting plan, for a irrigation system, and for maintaining all cut and fill slopes.

b. Deviations from the requirements of this section may be permitted in exceptional circumstances or where unavoidable hardship would result from a strict application of these requirements when a waiver has first been obtained from the planning commission. A separate bond or cash deposit shall be posted with the city engineer to guarantee such landscaping, irrigation system, and the maintenance thereof, and such bond or cash deposit, or portions thereof, shall not be released until the landscaping has been established for at least ninety days after planting and permanent responsibility for the landscape maintenance has been established.

2. Landscaping Plan. A landscaping planting plan within the public right-of-way shall be prepared and submitted for approval by the director of public works and the director of community development. A soils test may be required to determine the plant materials which are suitable for the slopes, and the plant materials utilized on the slopes shall be compatible with the soils report. There shall be a variety of ground covers, trees, and shrubs incorporated into the landscaping plan. Other plant materials may be substituted for the "approved planting schedule" if submitted and recommended by a registered landscape architect and approved by the director of public works.

3. Plants. All plants required by this section shall be selected from a list approved by the director of public works.

4. Planting. The slopes shall be prepared for planting by one of the following methods:

a. The slope surface may be prepared for planting by casting top soil over the slope surface. The top soil layer shall not exceed three inches in depth.

b. The slope surface may be scarified to a depth not to exceed three inches.

c. Loose material not to exceed three inches in depth may be left on the slope.

d. The grass, ground cover, shrubs, and tree plant materials shall be certified for the local climatic conditions and soil types.

e. The plant variety, size, and spacing shall be as shown on the approved plans.

f. Any dead or dying plants shall be promptly replaced upon request and as directed during the guarantee period.

g. The landscaping installation, including irrigation, shall be guaranteed for a period of one-year from the date of final inspection.

(Ord. 702 N.S. (part), 1995; Ord. No. 994 N.S., § 4, 8-20-2013)

A. Seasonal Conditions. The late afternoon summer winds may cause excessive dust blowing during grading operations. In the event that dust cannot be controlled and becomes a nuisance, the city engineer may order the work to be halted for the day.

B. Dust Control. All graded surfaces and materials shall be wetted, treated or contained in such a manner as to prevent dust from leaving the site.

C. Completion of Grading. The graded site shall be thoroughly wetted in order to form a crust over the exposed dirt surfaces. Further applications or other methods acceptable to the city engineer may be necessary if the site is disturbed.

(Ord. 702 N.S. (part), 1995; Ord. No. 994 N.S., § 4, 8-20-2013)