87.1115 Definitions. — Yucaipa Zoning Code

The following definitions apply for the purposes of administering, interpreting and enforcing this Chapter. Terms used shall have the same meaning as set forth in Division 12 of the Development Code and/or Ordinances of the City.

As-graded
The surface configuration upon completion of grading
Average Slope
The slope calculated by utilizing the formula:
Average Cross Slope =
I x L x 0.0023
A
I = Contour Interval
L = Contour Length
0.0023 = Constant to Convert Square Feet to Acres and Slope to Percent
A = Acres in Site
Balance
The cutting and filling of a site which does not require the export or import of earth material
Bench
Relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed or intermediate drainage
area
Bench Drain
A generally horizontal drainage feature on a manufactured slope usually in the form of a gunited
concrete v-ditch with a minimum of five (5%) percent slope
Berm
A low mound of earth graded in a linear or undulating form; Often used as a noise or visual barrier
Building
A structure having a roof supported by columns or walls
Building Height
The vertical distance measured from the ground level grade to the top of the building
Building Line
An imaginary line on a building site specifying the closest point from an ultimate right-of-way line or a
property line where a main building may be located
Canyon
A deep, narrow valley having high, steep slopes
Contour
A line drawn on a plan which connects all points of equal elevation
Contour Grading
A grading concept designed to result in earth forms which resemble natural terrain characteristics.
Horizontal and vertical curve variations are often used for slope banks. Contour grading is not
necessarily minimal grading
Crib Wall
An earth-retaining structure with nearly vertical face constructed of modular preformed materials
Creek
A natural stream of running water larger than a brook and smaller than a river
Cut
The mechanical removal of earth material
Cut and Fill
The excavating of material in one place and depositing of it as fill in an adjacent place
Daylight Line
The line between grading and natural terrain drawn by connecting the points where proposed contours
meet existing contours
Earth Material
Any rock, natural soil or fill and/or any combination thereof
Elevation
Height or distance above sea level
Erosion
The process by which the soil and rock components of the earth’s crust are worn away and removed
from one place to another by natural forces such as weathering, solution and transportation
Excavation
The mechanical removal of earth material
Existing Grade
The grade prior to grading
Export
Excess cut that is removed from agrading project and deposited off site

Fill A deposit of earth material placed by artificial means Finish Grade The final grade of the site which conforms to the approved plan Floodplain The land area adjacent to a watercourse which is subject to the overflow of flood waters

FoothillA hill at the base of a mountain

FoothillA hill at the base of a mountain
Grade The vertical location of the ground surface Grade Separation The separation at different levels of two intersecting roads, by bridge, tunnel, or underpass, so as to permit the roads to cross without obstructing free traffic movement on either Grading Any excavating or filling or combination thereof Hill A small area of land that is higher than the land around it Hillside Refers to a parcel of land or a definable portion thereof with an average rise or fall of more than one (1) foot vertically for each fifteen (15) feet horizontally (15% slope) Hydrology The properties of the water, including circulation and distribution, on and below the ground Import Fill material obtained off-site to balance a grading project Knoll A small, round hill or mound Land The portion of the earth’s surface above the level of the sea or ocean Minimal Grading A grading concept designed to minimize excavation and filling. Concept often associated with roads conforming closely to natural contours with the structures being built on natural terrain Mountain A lofty elevation on the earth’s surface Native Vegetation The natural vegetation commonly found in area Natural Areas Undeveloped sites which have not been graded Natural Open Space Natural open space shall refer to the landform as created by nature or subsequently modified to meet fuel modification fire standards of the plan. Within natural open spaces, vegetation introduced for agricultural purposes may be removed and the area re-vegetated with native vegetation. Existing trees, riparian vegetation and native plant communities within natural open spaces shall be preserved and protected. Man-made water bodies (excluding swimming pools) and trails through open space areas may be considered as natural open space. No grading or structures of any type shall be permitted in the natural open space areas, including walls or fencing Natural Slope A slope which is not man-made. A natural slope may retain the natural vegetation during adjacent grading operations or it may be partially or completely removed and replanted Natural Vegetation The vegetation occurring on a site under natural conditions Open Space Land not covered by buildings, roads or vehicular access ways and including such areas as private yards, landscaped areas, slopes, natural areas, common areas, greenbelts or parks, etc. Pad development A generally flat or stepped area created by grading to accommodate Peak The highest part of a mountain; usually steep sided at the summit Prominent Ridge A ridge or hill which is visible from arterial streets or major public space which forms a part of the skyline or is seen as a distant edge against a backdrop of land or is so designated by the General Plan or Development Code Ridge A long, narrow, or sharply defined conspicuous elevation of land Setback Area The area between the building line and the property line, or when abutting a street, the ultimate right- of-way line Setback Distance The distance between the building line and the property line, or when abutting a street, the ultimate right-of-way line Single-Loaded Street A street with lots fronting on one side only Site Any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership, where grading is performed or permitted Slope An inclined ground surface, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical distance Slope Bank A man-made slope steeper than 5:1 (20%) Slope Man-Made A manufactured slope consistingwhollyorpartlyof either cut or filled material

Grade
The vertical location of the ground surface
Grade Separation
The separation at different levels of two intersecting roads, by bridge, tunnel, or underpass, so as to
permit the roads to cross without obstructing free traffic movement on either
Grading
Any excavating or filling or combination thereof
Hill
A small area of land that is higher than the land around it
Hillside
Refers to a parcel of land or a definable portion thereof with an average rise or fall of more than one
(1) foot vertically for each fifteen (15) feet horizontally (15% slope)
Hydrology
The properties of the water, including circulation and distribution, on and below the ground
Import
Fill material obtained off-site to balance a grading project
Knoll
A small, round hill or mound
Land
The portion of the earth’s surface above the level of the sea or ocean
Minimal Grading
A grading concept designed to minimize excavation and filling. Concept often associated with roads
conforming closely to natural contours with the structures being built on natural terrain
Mountain
A lofty elevation on the earth’s surface
Native Vegetation
The natural vegetation commonly found in area
Natural Areas
Undeveloped sites which have not been graded
Natural Open Space
Natural open space shall refer to the landform as created by nature or subsequently modified to meet
fuel modification fire standards of the plan. Within natural open spaces, vegetation introduced for
agricultural purposes may be removed and the area re-vegetated with native vegetation. Existing trees,
riparian vegetation and native plant communities within natural open spaces shall be preserved and
protected. Man-made water bodies (excluding swimming pools) and trails through open space areas
may be considered as natural open space. No grading or structures of any type shall be permitted in the
natural open space areas, including walls or fencing
Natural Slope
A slope which is not man-made. A natural slope may retain the natural vegetation during adjacent
grading operations or it may be partially or completely removed and replanted
Natural Vegetation
The vegetation occurring on a site under natural conditions
Open Space
Land not covered by buildings, roads or vehicular access ways and including such areas as private
yards, landscaped areas, slopes, natural areas, common areas, greenbelts or parks, etc.
Pad development
A generally flat or stepped area created by grading to accommodate
Peak
The highest part of a mountain; usually steep sided at the summit
Prominent Ridge
A ridge or hill which is visible from arterial streets or major public space which forms a part of the
skyline or is seen as a distant edge against a backdrop of land or is so designated by the General Plan
or Development Code
Ridge
A long, narrow, or sharply defined conspicuous elevation of land
Setback Area
The area between the building line and the property line, or when abutting a street, the ultimate right-
of-way line
Setback Distance
The distance between the building line and the property line, or when abutting a street, the ultimate
right-of-way line
Single-Loaded Street
A street with lots fronting on one side only
Site
Any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership, where grading
is performed or permitted
Slope
An inclined ground surface, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to
vertical distance
Slope Bank
A man-made slope steeper than 5:1 (20%)
Slope Man-Made
A manufactured slope consistingwhollyorpartlyof either cut or filled material

Slope Transition
The area where a slope bank meets the natural terrain or a level graded area either vertically or
horizontally
Summit
Highest part of a hill or mountain
Topography
General term to include characteristics of the ground surface such as plains, hills mountains, degree of
relief, steepness of slope, and other physiographic features
Toe of Slope
The lowest elevation of a slope which transitions to a flatter area or pad
Top of Slope
The highest elevation of a slope which transitions to a flatter area or pad
Uniform Slope
A slope of a uniform slope ratio
Valley
The land between hills or mountains, usually containing a stream
Variable Slope
A man-made slope (usually a slope bank) which has a variety of slope ratios rather than a single ratio
Vegetation
Growing plants
Viewshed
Areas or development which can be viewed from arterial roads, freeways, major collector roads and
publicgathering places such as major shoppingcenters, etc.

(Amended by Ord. 313 § 3, 2011; Ord. 269 § 4, 2007)