Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 4 Foundations

Section R401.1 is amended as follows:

R401.4.1.1 General and where required for applications listed in Section 1.8.2.1.1 regulated by the

Department of Housing and Community Development. Foundations and soils investigations shall be

conducted in conformance with Health and Safety Code Sections 17953 through 17957 as summarized

below.

A preliminary soil report, prepared by a civil engineer who is registered by the state shall be provided for

each subdivision. The report shall be based upon adequate test borings or excavations, of every

subdivision, where a tentative and Znal map is required pursuant to Section 66426 of the Government

Code.

The preliminary soil report may be waived if the building department of the city, county, or city and

county, or other enforcement agency charged with the administration and enforcement of the provisions

of Section R401.4.1.1, shall determine that, due to the knowledge such department has as to the soil

qualities of the soil of the subdivision or lot, no preliminary analysis is necessary.

Section R401.4.1.1.2 is amended as follows:

R401.4.1.1.2 Soil investigation by lot, necessity, preparation and recommendations.

If the preliminary soil report indicates the presence of critically expansive soils or other soil problems,

which if not corrected, would lead to structural defects, a soil investigation of each lot in the subdivision

is required.

The soil investigation shall be prepared by a civil engineer who is registered in this state. It shall

recommend corrective action which is likely to prevent structural damage to each dwelling proposed to

be constructed on the site where hazardous soil conditions are present. For each speciZc construction

site or lot, the geotechnical engineer shall provide such investigation and recommendations, or letter of

exemption from this section based on site and lot speciZc soil conditions supporting such letter of

exemption.

Section R401.4.1.1.3 is amended as follows:

R401.4.1.1.3. Approval, building permit conditions, appeal.

The building department or other enforcement agency charged with the administration and

enforcement of Section 401.4.1.1, shall approve the soil investigation if it determines that the

recommended action is likely to prevent structural damage to each dwelling to be constructed. A

condition to the building permit, shall require that the approved recommended action be incorporated

in the construction of each dwelling. Appeal from such determination shall be to the local appeals board.