Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code Ch. 16.36 Disclosure of Geological Conditions

Whenever any provision of this title requires, or authorizes the city to require, the preparation of a geological or geotechnical report to evaluate the effect of any proposed building, grading and/or construction or the proposed use of a site, as part of such geological review the property owner shall disclose all of the following information:

A. The identity of every licensed geological or geotechnical professional that has been engaged, hired or consulted (hereafter collectively referred to as "engaged") to study the geological condition of the property by any of the following:

1. The owner of the property that is the subject of the application;

2. The applicant, if different from the property owner;

3. Any agent or representative of the owner or applicant, including any real estate licentiate or attorney.

B. Any evidence, whether written or oral, documenting data gathered by or the impressions and/or conclusions of the geological or geotechnical professionals identified in subsection (A) of this section. Such evidence includes, but is not limited to, statements made by the geological or geotechnical professionals, written notes, reports, draft reports, and field logs.

C. All known geological data regarding the property, including any reports or analyses obtained by prior owners of the property that is the subject of the application, or by prior applicants, if such reports or analyses have been disclosed or made available to the current property owner or the applicant, regardless whether such data was relied upon by the property owner or the applicant or by the geological or geotechnical professionals identified in subsection (A) of this section.

D. If the current property owner or applicant replaced any licensed geologist or geotechnical professional identified in subsection (A) of this section, an explanation regarding the reasons why that geologist or geotechnical professional was replaced. The explanation must include an affidavit or declaration signed under penalty of perjury stating whether the geologist or geotechnical professional was replaced in whole or in part because the geologist or geotechnical professional provided information that might adversely affect the application;

E. Whether any licensed geologist or geotechnical professional that has been engaged by the property owner disagreed with or questioned any conclusions contained in any report identified in subsection (B) or (C) of this section.

(Code 1981, § 16.36.010; Ord. No. 387, § 2, 2003)