It is the purpose of this article to minimize erosion, soil compaction, topsoil displacement, siltation of water courses, and other adverse effects of grading, including alteration of the scenic qualities of the natural terrain. It is also the purpose of this article to insure that at the completion of the project, the visible alteration of the natural terrain be minimized.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
All grading and grading operations shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and the Town's Standard Specifications. All plans for grading shall be approved by the City Engineer.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
All grading operations shall be carried on between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless the City Engineer finds evidence that an emergency exists that imperils the public safety, in which event(s) he or she may direct the work to proceed during such other hours as may be necessary for the duration of the emergency. No grading operations shall be carried on any day designated by resolution of the City Council to be recognized and celebrated as a public holiday by the employees of the Town of Los Altos Hills.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985; § 3, Ord. 318, eff. January 18, 1988)
The City Engineer may restrict grading operations during the wet season. The wet season is defined as the period between October 1st and April 30th. The City Engineer may allow grading to proceed during the wet season if precipitation has been minimal; if the grading technique to be used will minimize the risk of landslides, erosion, or damage to adjacent properties or environmentally sensitive areas from soil movement; or if it is in the interest of public health and safety to permit grading. Following any 24 hour period during the year in which one-half inch or more of rain has fallen the City Engineer may prohibit grading.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985; § 1, Ord. 569, eff. May 20, 2017; Ord. 612, eff. 7/20/2024)
All graded surfaces shall be wetted or suitably contained to prevent nuisances from dust or spillage on Town streets or adjacent properties. Equipment, materials, and roadways on the site shall be used or treated in a manner so as to prevent excessive dust conditions.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
The maximum slope of any fill shall not exceed two horizontal to one vertical. The maximum slope of any cut shall not exceed one and one-half (1.5) horizontal to one vertical. A steeper slope may be created only if approved by the City Engineer. Where cohesionless or expansive soils are used, or where other conditions warrant a further restriction of the slope, the City Engineer may impose such restriction.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
No grading shall be permitted within 10 feet of any property line and public or private road right-of-way easement, except as required for construction of pathways, to allow access for driveways where they cross a property line, or within a panhandle.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985; § 1, Ord. 557, eff. February 15, 2015)
All cuts and fills shall be rounded to natural contours. Finished grades shall conform to the natural grade as much as possible and shall not contain sharp angles or other unnatural features.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
All cut and fill surfaces created by grading and subject to erosion shall be planted with a ground cover compatible with the natural ground covers in the Town and which will thrive with little or no maintenance once established. Topsoil shall be stockpiled during rough grading and used on cut and fill slopes. On slopes likely to be extensively disturbed by later construction, an interim ground cover shall be planted or other acceptable erosion control device shall be used.
(§ 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
(a) 
Natural Hazards. If, at any stage of the grading, the City Engineer determines by inspection that the nature of the formation is such that further work as authorized by an existing permit is likely to imperil any property, public way, water course, or drainage structure, the City Engineer may require, as a condition to allowing the work to continue, that such reasonable safety precautions be taken as he or she considers advisable to avoid the likelihood of such peril. Such safety precautions may include, but shall not be limited to, specifying a flatter exposed slope, the construction of additional drainage facilities, berms, terracing compaction or cribbing, the installation of plant materials for erosion control, and reports of a soils engineer and/or an engineering geologist whose recommendations may be made requirements for further work.
(b) 
Storm Hazards. Where it appears that erosion damage may result from a storm because the grading is not complete, work may be stopped and the permittee may be required to install temporary plantings to control erosion, install temporary structures, or take such other measures as may be required to protect adjoining property or the public safety. On large operations or where unusual site conditions prevail, the City Engineer may specify the time to begin the grading and the time of completion of the grading, or he or she may require that the operation be conducted in specific stages so as to insure the completion of protective measures or devices prior to the advent of seasonal rains.
(§ 1, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)