Rocklin Municipal Code Art. III Grading Approval; Applications and Permits

Application for a grading approval shall be made on a form provided by the city engineer. The application shall include the following information:

A. The name, address, telephone number, and twenty-four-hour emergency contact telephone number of the applicant;

B. The names, addresses, and the telephone numbers of all property owners other than the applicant;

C. The name, address, telephone number and registration number of the party responsible for preparing the grading plan;

D. The name, address, and telephone number of the party responsible for preparing the erosion and sediment control plan;

E. The name, address, and telephone number, and registration number of the registered civil engineer responsible for the preparation of the soils and engineering report, if required;

F. A plan for performing any required special inspections, including the name, address, and telephone number of the person responsible for conducting the special inspections;

G. A description of the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made;

H. A description of the location on which the proposed work is to be done, by lot, block, tract, and house and street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work;

I. A description of the physical characteristics of the land that will be subject to or affected by the proposed grading work, including all natural features, such as streams and creeks, wetlands, riparian areas, rock outcroppings, and slopes; known prehistoric, historic, and unique archaeological resources; and all existing trees. This description may be included on the plans and specifications required by subsection K of this section;

J. Plans and specifications conforming to the most current Improvement Standards; if the site of the proposed grading is subject to conditions specified in an approved tentative subdivision or parcel map or an approved use permit, or other land use entitlement, the plans and specifications shall also demonstrate compliance with all applicable conditions of approval;

K. An erosion and sediment control plan (ESC plan) shall be prepared for all projects to control surface runoff and erosion and to retain sediment on a particular site and prevent pollution of site runoff during the period beginning when any preconstruction- or construction-related grading or soil storage first occurs, until all final improvements and permanent structures are complete. The ESC plan shall be prepared and submitted concurrently with the grading plan. The ESC plan shall be submitted on a clean separate sheet or sheets. The separate sheet(s) shall be drawn clearly and legibly and entitled "erosion and sediment control plan";

L. The estimated quantity of cut and fill shall be shown on the grading plan;

M. The haul route and a separate grading plan if excess fill is to be placed on land within the city of Rocklin;

N. If required, State Regional Water Quality Control Board approved storm water pollutant protection plan (SWPPP), including the waste discharge identification number issued by the RWQCB, for the proposed grading work, the applicable provisions of which shall be incorporated into the ESC plan;

O. Such other information as reasonably may be required by the city engineer; The application shall be signed by the applicant, who shall be the property owner or the owner's authorized agent or lessee. If the applicant is the owner's agent or lessee, the agent or lessee shall submit evidence of authority to obtain the permit. Once the permit is issued, the applicant shall become the permittee.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

Where a subdivision improvement plan is being processed in conjunction with either an approved tentative, parcel, or final map; or a site plan is being processed in accordance with the provisions of this code, such plan shall also be considered as an application for grading approval. Such plans shall be reviewed and approved, conditionally approved or denied in accordance with the standards and requirements set forth in the grading ordinance and other applicable city specifications. If an improvement plan or site plan is approved, then a separate grading permit shall not be required. Subject to all of the requirements of the grading ordinance, approval of the improvement plans constitutes approval of the grading work intended.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

Applicants for a permit to allow grading prior to issuance of a building permit or approval of improvement plans shall meet the following requirements prior to issuance of a grading permit:

A. A preliminary grading plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the city engineer or building official. This plan shall conform to the requirements of the grading ordinance and any applicable conditions placed on the project as a result of any formal discretionary permit process. The applicant shall execute a separate acknowledgment that any additional grading or revisions to work necessitated by conflicts discovered during the improvement plan check or subsequent construction shall be corrected at the applicant's expense.

B. Erosion and sediment control plans in accordance with provisions of Article IV of this chapter shall be submitted for review and approval by the city engineer or building official.

C. When applicable, a winterization certification shall be submitted for review and approval by the city engineer or building official in accordance with Section 15.28.270 of this chapter.

D. No grading permit shall be issued until all applicable CEQA mitigation and other requirements have been met or incorporated into the project plans.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

The city engineer may refer the application to other interested public agencies for their recommendations.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

No application for grading approval shall relieve the applicant of responsibility for securing other permits or approvals, including, but not limited to, those specified in Section 15.28.080(B), required for work which is regulated by any other department or other public agency, or for obtaining any easements or authorization for grading on property not owned by the applicant. Proof of applicable public agency permits and/or easements may be required prior to issuance of grading approval.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

A. The applicant shall pay a fee to cover the city's costs of reviewing plans, specifications, reports and other materials related to grading approval and performing all engineering services, CEQA review, field investigations, inspections, routine laboratory tests of materials and compaction or other work or services in connection with the issuance of grading approval or to determine or enforce compliance with any requirement or provision set forth in this chapter.

B. The fee or fees required by subsection A shall be established from time to time by resolution of the city council and shall be paid to the city either before grading approval is issued or before the issuance of a building permit, or both, in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by resolution of the city council. The city engineer may charge additional fees in any case where the city incurs costs that are not covered by the initial fee payment(s), or where the actual costs exceed the amounts previously paid by the application permittee.

C. If grading work is done in violation of the grading ordinance or does not comply with the terms and conditions of a grading approval issued for such grading, the permittee shall pay the city for all costs actually incurred by the city to inspect or investigate such violation and to perform inspection and plan checking of work required to correct the violation.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

A. A minor grading plan shall be submitted with the application when the grading work involves less than five thousand cubic yards total of cut and fill and the city engineer determines that the grading work is of a minor nature because the proposed work does not involve:

1. Steep slopes (greater than or equal to fifteen percent);

2. Location in a flood hazard area;

3. Potential damage to structures on or adjacent to the subject site;

4. Potential blockage of drainage channels;

5. Potential impairment of significant natural vegetation, biological habitats, public views or other sensitive natural or cultural resources.

B. A minor grading plan shall consist of the following information as determined by the city engineer, provided that information submitted with any required plot plan, site plan, or development plan may also be used to fulfill these submittal requirements:

1. General vicinity map;

2. Property limits of the site;

3. Existing contours and drainage channels, including those areas of the subject site and adjoining properties which may be affected by the proposed grading either directly or through drainage alterations;

4. Location of any buildings or structures within fifty feet of the area which may be affected by the proposed grading operations;

5. Limiting dimensions, elevations or finished contours to be achieved by the grading and proposed drainage channels and related construction.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

A. An engineered grading plan shall be submitted with the application where the proposed grading work is not of a minor nature as described in Section 15.28.180(A) of this chapter; provided, that if the city engineer determines that, due to terrain, soil characteristics, grading design, etc., engineered grading plans are not necessary to ensure a safe and adequate grading operation, the city engineer may waive the requirement for an engineered grading plan.

B. An engineered grading plan shall be drawn to scale and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the standards and requirements of this article and all other provisions of this chapter. If applicable, the engineered grading plan shall be part of the improvement plans for the development project to which it relates, and shall comply with all grading-related environmental mitigation measures and conditions of approval of the development project established by the city for the project. In all cases, plans and specifications in a number and size consistent with the requirements of the most current Improvement Standards, signed by a civil engineer, shall be submitted with the application and shall include the following information as determined by the city engineer:

1. General vicinity map;

2. Property limits of the subject site;

3. Details of terrain and area drainage and accurate contours of existing ground at intervals shown in the Improvement Standards;

4. Location of any buildings or structures within fifty feet of the area which may be affected by the proposed grading operations;

5. Limiting dimensions, elevations, or finished contours to be achieved by the grading, and proposed drainage channels and related construction;

6. Specifications covering construction and material requirements;

7. Soil engineering report, which shall include data regarding the nature, distribution and strength of existing soils; conclusions and recommendations for grading procedures; criteria for corrective measures when necessary; and opinions and recommendations covering adequacy of sites to be developed by the proposed grading;

8. Engineering geology report, which shall include a description of the site, conclusions and recommendations regarding the effect of geologic conditions, and recommendations covering the adequacy of sites to be developed by the proposed grading;

9. A mitigation plan that addresses the conditions necessitating the engineered grading plan, such as steep slopes, location in a geologic study area or flood hazard area, potential damage to structures on the subject site or adjacent property, or potential impairment of natural vegetation, habitat, public view or other sensitive resources;

10. Drainage plan, if not included in any of the above;

C. For engineered grading, the civil engineer who prepares the approved grading plan shall incorporate all recommendations from the soil engineering and engineering geology reports into the engineered grading plan and shall be responsible for the certification of the grading within his or her area of technical specialty. This responsibility shall include, but shall not be limited to, certification as to the establishment of line, grade, and drainage of the development area and lot compaction and elevation. Certification shall be based on site inspection and actual knowledge. The civil engineer shall act as the coordinating agent if the need arises for liaison among other professionals, the contractor, and the city engineer. The civil engineer shall also be responsible for the preparation of revised plans and the submission of as-graded record drawings upon completion of the work.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

A. As a condition for the issuance of grading approval, the city engineer may require the deposit of an improvement security in an amount deemed sufficient by him or her to assure faithful performance of the grading work in the event of default on the part of the applicant. Said security shall be in a form acceptable to the city.

B. In the case of subdivisions, the improvement security shall remain in effect until final inspections have been made and all grading work and subdivision improvements have been accepted by the city.

C. For projects other than subdivisions, the improvement security shall remain in effect until final inspections have been made and all grading work has been approved by the city engineer.

D. In addition to the improvement security, the city engineer may also require the deposit of maintenance security in an amount deemed sufficient by him or her to guarantee and maintain the grading work performed, to assure the proper functioning of drainage systems and adequate erosion and sedimentation control. Said maintenance security shall be in a form acceptable to the city and shall remain in effect for a period of one year after the date of acceptance of the improvements or grading work, as designated in subsections B and C of this section, or such other periods of time as required by the city engineer.

E. Any deposit required by the city engineer pursuant to this title shall be payable to the city.

F. Upon failure to complete the work, failure to comply with all of the terms of the grading ordinance, or failure of the completed site to function properly to provide proper drainage or erosion and sedimentation control, the city may do the required work, or cause it to be done and collect from the applicant or surety all costs incurred, including, but not limited to, administrative and inspection costs. Any unused portion of a deposit shall be refunded to the applicant after deduction by the city of the cost of the work.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).

A. Upon receipt and review of a complete application, payment of fees, and posting of security, if the city engineer is satisfied that the work described in the application and the plans will conform to the requirements of this chapter and all other laws and ordinances, the city engineer shall issue the grading permit, subject to whatever terms and conditions the city engineer determines are necessary or convenient to accomplish the purpose of this chapter, including, but not limited to:

1. Completion of work within a specified period of time;

2. Hours and days of operation;

3. Designation and approval of haul routes;

4. Rainy season limitations;

5. Designation of area covered by the permit;

6. Implementation of the general plan and all other applicable EIR mitigation measures;

7. Provision of easements for stormwater conveyance through open channels;

8. Approval of appropriate permitting requirements of other governmental agencies.

B. When the city engineer issues the permit, he or she shall endorse in writing or stamp on all sets of plans and specifications "APPROVED." Thereafter, the approved plans and specifications shall not bechanged, modified, or altered without prior written authorization from the city engineer. All work shall be done in accordance with the approved plans. The city engineer may require that grading operations and project designs be modified if delays occur or weather generated problems arise which were not anticipated at the time the permit was issued.

C. Retention of Plans. One set of endorsed approved plans, specifications, and computations shall be retained by the city engineer, one set by the engineering construction inspectors, one set by the building division, one set by the public works director, and one set shall be returned to the permittee, which set shall be kept on the building or work site at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress.

D. Issuance of the permit shall not prevent the city engineer from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in the plans and specifications or ordering the cessation of grading and development activities under the permit when in violation of this chapter, any other ordinance of the city, and any other applicable law, rule, or regulation.

(Ord. 904 § 1 (part), 2006).