A. 
The City Engineer is authorized to this article, except as otherwise provided.
B. 
The City Engineer may establish and implement special inspection requirements and augment resources or expertise as necessary to properly inspect a particular grading project. The permittee who benefits from these special requirements or augmentations must pay the cost of those requirements or augmentations.
C. 
Before approving any land development work requiring grading plans and specifications, the City Engineer may inspect the site to determine that the plans and specifications are current and reflect existing conditions.
D. 
After receiving a grading permit, but before any land development work involving grading, brushing or clearing, the permittee must attend a pregrading meeting. Prior to pouring curbs and gutters or placement of base materials, a permittee must attend a prepaving meeting held on the site. The permittee must notify the City Engineer at least two working days prior to the meetings and must notify all principals responsible for grading and paving related operations.
E. 
The City Engineer is authorized to inspect land development projects at intervals necessary to determine that adequate inspection and testing is being exercised.
F. 
The City Engineer is authorized to inspect all work done in connection with land development to insure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
G. 
The City Engineer is authorized to stop land development being done without a permit until a permit has been obtained, to impose conditions on a permit issued for such work, to require the correction or removal of such work, and to take any other enforcement action authorized by this code or law.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
Neither the issuance of a permit pursuant to this chapter nor the compliance with this chapter or any conditions imposed pursuant to this chapter relieve any person from any responsibility for damage to persons or property otherwise imposed by law, nor impose any liability on the City for damage to persons or property.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
A. 
All grading, except grading for a borrow pit, in excess of 5,000 cubic yards must be performed under the general observation of and coordination of the civil engineer who prepared or signed the grading plans and is designated "supervised grading."
B. 
Grading not supervised in accordance with this section is designated "regular grading."
C. 
For grading of 5,000 cubic yards or less, the permittee may elect to have the grading performed as either supervised grading or regular grading.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
A. 
The City Engineer is authorized to cause or require regular grading and paving work to be inspected to the extent deemed necessary and is authorized to require inspection of excavations, fills, and compaction control by a soil engineer.
B. 
The City Engineer is authorized to require inspections by the soil engineer sufficient to assure the City Engineer that the soil engineer has adequately considered all geologic conditions.
C. 
The soil engineer must file a report with the City Engineer assuring the compaction and acceptability of all fills. Where potentially expansive soils are present at either cut or fill grade, the soil engineer must provide written recommendations regarding treatment given or to be given to such soils.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
A. 
For supervised grading, the permittee must ensure that the civil engineer supervising the grading also supervises and coordinates all field surveys, setting of grade stakes in conformance with the plans, and site inspection during grading operations to assure that the site is graded in accordance with the permit.
B. 
The City Engineer is authorized to require a permittee to provide soils reports and geology reports as part of an application for or conditions of a grading permit. In addition to the copies filed with the City Engineer, the permittee must send copies of such reports to the civil engineer supervising the grading.
C. 
The permittee must ensure that the soil engineer conducts tests and inspections necessary to assure that the recommendations in the preliminary soils engineering report and paving report incorporated in the grading plan, specifications, or the permit are followed and complies with the requirements of Section 11.40.725.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
A. 
General. The soil engineer must ensure the following:
1. 
The ground is properly prepared to receive fills;
2. 
Proper compaction;
3. 
Finish slopes are properly stabilized;
4. 
Buttress fills, where required, are properly designed;
5. 
Data supplied by the engineering geologist is incorporated into the soils reports;
6. 
During grading, submit to the permittee and City Engineer copies of all analyses, compaction data, soil engineering and engineering geology recommendations and reports;
7. 
The standards established in this section are met.
B. 
When preliminary soils engineering reports are not required, the City Engineer may require inspection and approval by the soil engineer. The soil engineer's responsibility in these cases includes, but is not limited to, approval of cleared areas and benches to receive fill, the compaction and testing of fills and their inspection and approval. The soil engineer must submit a statement that all embankments have been compacted to a minimum of 90% relative compaction or an alternative compaction percentage approved by the City Engineer. Prior to the release of building permits for any given lot or lots, the soil engineer must submit a compaction report to the satisfaction of the City Engineer as evidence that rough grading has been compacted in accordance with the approved preliminary soils engineering report.
C. 
Density Testing. The soils engineer must ensure field density testing is completed in accordance with the following:
1. 
All fills must be compacted to a minimum of 90% relative compaction unless the City Engineer approved a lesser density.
2. 
Field density tests must be performed in accordance with ASTM D1556, or as revised (sand cone test), or equivalent, approved by the City Engineer.
3. 
Notwithstanding any alternative field density test approved by the City Engineer, at least 25% of the total tests must be by ASTM D1556 to verify the accuracy of the equivalent method.
4. 
The location of field density tests must comply with the following:
a. 
Field density tests must be distributed within the fill or fill slope surface so that representative results are obtained;
b. 
At least 20% of the required field density tests must be located within three feet of the final slope location and at least one density test must be taken within the outer 12 inches of finished slope face for every 5,000 square feet of slope area.
5. 
Field density tests must be performed on the basis of at least one test for 1,000 cubic yards of compacted fill and at least one test for each two feet of fill thickness.
6. 
Additional field density testing must occur in areas of critical nature or special emphasis. Where lower density and very high potential expansion characteristics exist, as determined by the soil engineer, lesser compaction may be granted by the City Engineer upon justification and recommendation by the soil engineer.
D. 
The soil engineer must test for expansive soils for each building pad within three feet of the finish grade of any land development intended or designed as a location for a building.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
The engineering geologist is responsible for professional inspection and approval of the stability of cut slopes with respect to geological matters and the need for subdrains or other groundwater drainage devices. The engineering geologist must report all findings to the soil engineer for engineering analysis.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
The permittee must request an inspection by the City Engineer for each item of work listed in this section at the time or stage indicated below. The permittee must request the inspection at least one day before the desired inspection is to occur.
A. 
Excavation and Fill.
1. 
Canyon cleanout: after all brush and unsuitable material have been removed and an acceptable base has been exposed, but before any fill is placed;
2. 
Toe bench and key: after the natural ground or bedrock is exposed and prepared to receive fill, but before fill is placed;
3. 
Over-excavation: after the area has been excavated but before fill is placed;
4. 
Excavation: after the excavation is started, but before the vertical depth of the excavation exceeds 10 feet, and every 10-foot interval thereafter;
5. 
Fill: after the fill has started, but before the vertical height of the fill exceeds 10 feet and every 10-foot interval thereafter.
B. 
Concrete or Gunite Drainage Devices.
1. 
Cross Gutter.
a. 
Subgrade: after the subgrade is prepared and required reinforcement placed,
b. 
Concrete: during concrete placement;
2. 
Curb and Gutter (Private Property).
a. 
Subgrade: after subgrade is made, forms in place, with required reinforcement,
b. 
Concrete: during concrete placement;
3. 
Terrace Drains, Down Drains, Brow Ditches and All Over-Paved Drainage Devices.
a. 
Subgrade: after grade is made but prior to placement of welded wire mesh or reinforcing steel,
b. 
Reinforcement: after thickness control wire and reinforcing steel or welded wire are in place,
c. 
Concrete: during concrete or gunite placement.
C. 
Drainage Devices other than Concrete or Gunite.
1. 
Subdrains.
a. 
After excavation but prior to placement of filter material and pipe. The subdrain pipe and filter material must be on-site for inspection,
b. 
After filter material and subdrain have been placed but prior to covering with backfill;
2. 
Storm Drains and Inlets.
a. 
After placement of storm drains, but prior to covering with backfill,
b. 
After placement of inlet forms but prior to pouring concrete;
3. 
Earth Swales. Prior to rough grading approval.
D. 
Rough Grading. An inspection must be made when all rough grading is complete and after the City Engineer has reviewed and approved the required reports and the civil engineer has submitted the written report required by Section 11.40.740 indicating substantial conformance to line and grade.
A building permit will not be issued until rough grading has been approved and receipt of the reports required by Section 11.40.740.
E. 
Irrigation.
1. 
Pipe Lines and Control Valves. During installation of main and lateral lines, inspections must be made to assure continuous support of all pipe, properly assembled fittings and valve installation, as well as proper backfill procedures.
2. 
Coverage Test. When the irrigation system is completed, a coverage test must be performed in the presence of the City Engineer or appointed inspector.
F. 
Planting.
1. 
General Soil Preparation. After the finish grade has been established and appropriate drainage is accomplished, incorporation of amendments must be inspected. Amendment material must be approved prior to import. Material invoices and/or licensed weighmaster's certificates may be required.
2. 
Plant Pit Preparation. During the preparation of all plant pits, inspections must confirm standard procedures are followed to maximize the promotion of healthy root development. Material invoices may be required.
3. 
Staking and/or Guying Procedures. After completion of planting, removal of all nursery stakes, and proper staking and/or guying practices. Inspection of procedures will confirm compliance.
G. 
Erosion Control Facilities (Rainy season: October 1st through April 1st).
1. 
After excavation of desilting basins but prior to fill placement, prefabricated devices are to be available on-site for inspection;
2. 
After fill placement for desilting basins but prior to placement of concrete or other nonerosive materials;
3. 
After completion of an erosion control system in accordance with an approved erosion control plan and the requirements of the City Engineer.
H. 
Final Inspection. The permittee must request a final inspection by the City when all work, including installation of all drainage structures, irrigation, slope planting and other protective devices, has been completed and all written professional approvals, certifications and the required reports and as-graded drawings have been submitted.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Final Reports. After completion of the rough grading work or when land development work under the grading permit is completed, but before approval of the grading or land development work and before release of grading securities or issuance of a notice of completion or certificate of use and occupancy:
1. 
The permittee must cause the responsible civil engineer to submit to the City Engineer:
a. 
An as-graded version of the grading plan (as-graded drawings) prepared, signed and dated by the responsible civil engineer. The as-graded drawings must include the following:
i. 
Original and "as-graded" ground surface elevations, pad elevations, slope ratios and elevations;
ii. 
Locations of all surface and subsurface drainage facilities;
iii. 
Location and scaled sections of all buttress/stabilization fills, subdrains;
iv. 
General location and depth of all areas of removal of unsuitable soil; and
v. 
Landscape and irrigation sheets of the grading plan showing the as-built landscape and irrigation works. The civil engineer must work directly with the landscape architect to complete these as-built drawing sheets.
b. 
Prior to issuance of a building permit, a written statement (rough grading report) signed by the civil engineer reporting that the site is rough graded in conformance with the approved grading plan, as modified or amended by any construction changes approved by the City Engineer, and which specifically states the following items were performed under the civil engineer's supervision, and are shown correctly on the as-graded drawings:
i. 
Staking of line and grade for all engineered drainage devices and retaining walls (rough and final grading);
ii. 
Staking of property corners for proper building and slope location (rough grading);
iii. 
Location of permanent walls or structures on property corners or property lines;
iv. 
Location and slope ratio of all manufactured slopes;
v. 
Construction of earthen berms and positive building pad drainage.
2. 
The permittee must cause the soil engineer to submit to the City Engineer:
a. 
A final soils engineering report prepared by the soil engineer. The final soils engineering report must include the following:
i. 
Type of field testing performed;
ii. 
compaction reports;
iii. 
Suitability of utility trench and retaining wall backfill;
iv. 
Summaries of field and laboratory tests and other substantiating data;
v. 
Comments on any changes made during grading and their effect on the recommendations made in the preliminary soils engineering report;
vi. 
Identification of each field density test, located on a plan or map, the elevation of the test, and the test method of obtaining the in-place density described (either ASTM D1556-78 or the approved equal must be noted).
b. 
Written approval of the adequacy of the site for the intended use as affected by geologic factors, a statement of compliance to finish slope heights and gradients, and when required by the City Engineer, an as-graded geologic map.
c. 
The utility line backfill report required by Section 11.40.525.
d. 
A final geological report or certification by a certified engineering geologist indicating that all geologic problems identified in the engineering geological report have been addressed.
B. 
Notification of Completion. The permittee must notify the City Engineer when the grading operation is ready for final inspection. The City Engineer is not authorized to provide final approval until all work is completed, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. 
All drainage facilities and their protective devices are installed;
2. 
Irrigation systems are installed and required plantings are established;
3. 
All erosion control measures are installed in accordance with the final approved grading plan and the as-graded drawings;
4. 
Required reports and statements of compliance are submitted.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
If, in the course of fulfilling responsibility under this chapter, the City Engineer, the soil engineer, the engineering geologist, or the testing agency finds that the land development work is not being performed in accordance with approved plans, specifications or this chapter, the discrepancies must be reported immediately in writing to the grading contractor, the owner, the permittee, and the City Engineer. Recommendations for corrective measures must be submitted for approval by the City Engineer.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
A. 
The City Engineer is authorized to temporarily suspend all land development or grading work and to suspend a grading permit by issuing a written stop work order in accordance with this chapter, which will remain in effect until the hazard or condition is corrected to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, whenever:
1. 
Field conditions present an immediate hazard or danger to life or property;
2. 
Work is being done in a hazardous manner;
3. 
Land development or grading work does not comply with the terms of a grading permit, the approved plans or conditions, or this code;
4. 
The soil or other conditions are not as stated on the grading permit;
5. 
The work being done under a grading permit issued for a subdivision or zoning permit is contrary or conflicting with any approved changes and/or modifications made to the originally approved or conditionally approved tentative map or zoning permit subsequent to the issuance of the grading permit;
6. 
There is lack of supervision of the grading operation, lack of engineering control, lack of soil engineering control or lack of dust or air pollution control;
7. 
Archaeological or paleontological artifacts or resources are discovered;
8. 
Violations of the Stormwater Management Ordinance; or
9. 
For any other reason which in the City Engineer's opinion, presents a threat to the public safety or welfare immediately, or in the future, or which may cause unstable earth conditions.
B. 
The owner must furnish any additional information, investigations and reports necessary to resolve the stop work order conditions. The owner must pay for all work associated with furnishing these items, as well as any additional staff time in resolving the stop work order conditions.
C. 
The City Engineer may authorize work subject to a stop work order to resume when the City Engineer determines that conditions which required the stop order are remedied or alleviated.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
A. 
In addition to any other grounds for revocation of a permit provided in this code, the City Engineer may revoke any permit granted under the provisions of this chapter pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapters 1.08 and 1.14 if the City Engineer determines any of the following:
1. 
That the permit was obtained by fraud;
2. 
That one or more of the conditions upon which the permit was granted have been violated;
3. 
That the permittee failed or refused to correct a deficiency or hazard upon the receipt of written notice and within the time specified in such notice;
4. 
That the permittee fails or refuses to perform any of the work required, or fails or refuses to conform with any of the conditions or standards established for any subdivision, zoning permit or other approval granted by the City; or
5. 
That the permittee fails to correct any hazard or condition identified by the notice of revocation.
B. 
If a permit is revoked, no further work subject to the revoked permit may be done except to correct hazards and to complete any work authorized by the City Engineer or City Council. Every agreement and every security required by this chapter must remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any revocation.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)
In addition to any other remedy available for noncompliance with the requirements of this chapter, the City Engineer is authorized to deny issuance of any further permits involving development and use of the property where the violation occurred for up to three years.
(Ord. 564 § 3, 2019)