Article I — GENERAL PROVISIONS

The city finds and declares that it is necessary to prevent excessive grading of single lots and perimeter lots of multilot developments beyond that necessary for the use and drainage of the site, and also to regulate slopes and retaining walls along property lines. Minimum grading requirements and treatment of slopes at property lines are also to be regulated for the purpose of minimizing adverse environmental effects on surrounding properties. (Prior code § 86001)

A. The standards of this chapter shall apply to all land within the city, to control excavation, grading and earthwork construction, including fills and embankments contained in chapter 70 of the uniform building code. Where in any specific case a section of this chapter specifies different requirements than chapter 70 of the uniform building code, the most restrictive shall apply.

B. If, in the opinion of the soils engineer, improper drainage from a building or property would result from strict adherence to the grading standards of this chapter for a specified location and soils condition, the building and safety director may approve alternate grading systems, provided that his recommendation is submitted in writing or incorporated in his soils investigation report. (Prior code § 86002)

In addition to the grading permit requirements of chapter 70 of the uniform building code, information on plans shall include the following:

A. A map showing the tributary drainage area or areas and estimated runoff, expressed in cubic feet per second, together with supporting calculations signed by a registered engineer;

B. The concrete or gunite interceptor and storm drain construction details, with its size, slopes and capacity to be justified by supporting calculations signed by a registered engineer. Seventy eight hundredths of an inch (0.78") per hour, estimated 10-year storm, shall be the minimum criteria for design of such interceptor or storm drains. (Prior code § 86003)

A. For the purpose of this chapter, retaining walls shall be essentially vertical, and shall be constructed of concrete, masonry, or wood treated with an approved preservative under the treating and quality control requirements specified in the uniform building code standards 2512, or wood of natural resistance to decay, as defined in chapter 25 of the uniform building code.

B. Such retaining walls shall be engineered to resist all imposed loads.

C. All retaining walls exceeding thirty inches (30") in height shall have a fence, wall or guardrail at least three feet (3') above the highest adjacent ground level. In open guardrail type fencing, intermediate members shall be so placed that a sphere nine inches (9") in diameter cannot pass through. (Prior code § 86004)

A. Gradient And Driveway Width Adjacent To Garage Entrance: Driveways shall have a maximum gradient of twelve and one-half percent (12[1] /2%) along the centerline of that portion of the driveway located within fifteen feet (15') of the garage entrance. The width of twenty five feet (25') of driveway adjacent to the front of the entrance shall be not less than the width of the garage opening or openings, with a minimum width of ten feet (10').

B. Gradient And Width Of The Remainder Of Driveway: The maximum gradient for driveways other than that portion within twenty feet (20') of the garage opening shall be twenty percent (20%) along its centerline, and shall not be less than ten feet (10') wide.

C. Driveway Drainage: Driveways are to drain with a minimum slope of one-half percent ([1] /2%) and a maximum transverse slope of five

percent (5%).

D. Vertical Transition: Any vertical transitions shall be designed and constructed so that any portion of a vehicle having a twelve foot (12') wheelbase and a five inch (5") under vehicle clearance will not make contact with the driveway surface. (Prior code § 86005)

When it is claimed by an owner, contractor or developer of property that special circumstances or conditions applicable to the property would result in a particular hardship or unreasonable loss of enjoyment and utility of property when requirements of this chapter are strictly applied, the owner may file for a minimum exception permit in accordance with the provisions of sections 18.108.020 through 18.108.100 of this title. The application for a minor exception will be processed in accordance with sections 18.108.020 through 18.108.100 of this title. (Prior code § 86006)