A soil or geologic investigation report shall accompany the application in any of the following circumstances when required by the director:
A. 
When the proposed grading includes a cut or fill exceeding 10 feet in depth at any point;
B. 
When highly expansive soils are present;
C. 
In areas of known or suspected geological hazards, including landslide hazards and hazards of ground failure stemming from seismically induced ground shaking.
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-33)
Those portions of the soil or geologic investigation that constitutes "civil engineering" as defined by Section 6734 of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California shall be conducted by or under the direct supervision of a geotechnical engineer or civil engineer. Those portions of the investigation that involve the practice of "geology" as defined by Section 7802 of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California shall be conducted by an engineering geologist.
The investigations shall be based on observations and tests of the material exposed by exploratory borings or excavations and inspections made at appropriate locations. Additional studies may be necessary to evaluate soil and rock strength, the effect of moisture variation on soil, bearing capacity, compressibility, expansiveness, stability, keying, sub drainage benching and other factors. The investigation shall consider the evaluation of grading factors such as moisture variability and ability to compact the material when wet, as determined appropriate.
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-34)
Any soil or geologic investigation report shall be subject to the approval of the department who may require supplemental reports and data. Recommendations included in the reports and approved by the department shall be incorporated in the final plans and specifications.
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-35)
The soil or geologic investigation report shall contain all of the following, as they may be applicable to the subject site:
A. 
An index map showing the regional setting of the site;
B. 
A site map which shows the topographic features of the site and locations of all soil borings and test excavations;
C. 
A classification of the soil types (unified soil classification), pertinent laboratory test data and consequent evaluation regarding the nature, distribution, and strength of existing soils;
D. 
A description of the geology of the site and geology of the adjacent areas when pertinent to the site;
E. 
A suitably scaled map and cross-sections showing all identified areas of land slippage;
F. 
A description of any encountered groundwater, excessive moisture conditions, evidence of perched water tables, or soil strata that would limit infiltration;
G. 
A description of the soil and geological investigative techniques employed;
H. 
A log for each soil boring and test excavation showing elevation at ground level and the depth of each soil or rock stratum;
I. 
An evaluation of the stability of pertinent natural slopes and recommendations regarding maximum cut and fill slopes of proposed work;
J. 
An evaluation of settlement associated with the placement of any fill;
K. 
Recommendations for grading procedures and specifications, including methods for excavation and subsequent placement of fill;
L. 
Recommendations regarding surface and subsurface drainage, storm water management practices, and erosion control;
M. 
Recommendations for mitigation of geologic hazards.
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-36)
Upon completion of rough grading work, in the event a complete record of the work is desired or necessary, the department may require a final geotechnical report that includes, but is not necessarily limited to the following:
A. 
A complete record of all field and laboratory tests including location and elevation of all field tests;
B. 
A professional opinion regarding slope stability, soil bearing capacity, and any other pertinent information;
C. 
Recommendations regarding foundation design, including soil bearing potential and building restrictions or setbacks from the top or toe of slopes;
D. 
A declaration by the geotechnical engineer, civil engineer or engineering geologist in the format required by the department that all work was done in substantial conformance with the recommendations contained in the soil or geologic investigation reports as approved and in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-37)
Where soil or geologic conditions encountered in the grading operation deviate from those anticipated in the soil and geologic investigation reports or where such conditions warrant changes to the recommendations contained in the original soil investigation, a revised soil or geologic report shall be submitted for the approval of the department. If conditions at the site are considered detrimental to water quality, public health or safety, the director may terminate all grading activity until the encountered conditions are evaluated in a revised report.
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-38)
A. 
As a condition of the permit, the department may require the permittee to retain a private geotechnical engineer or civil engineer to directly supervise or perform continuous inspections or inspections at specified phases of grading, and upon completion of the work to provide a written statement acknowledging that he or she has inspected the work and that in his or her professional judgment the work was performed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. The permittee shall make his or her own contractual arrangements for such services and shall be responsible for payment of all costs. Continuous inspection by a geotechnical engineer or civil engineer shall include, but not be limited to, the following situations:
1. 
During the preparation of a site for the placement of fills which exceed five feet in depth on slopes which exceed 10 percent and during the placing of such fills; however, for vehicular pathways, fill placement shall be continuously inspected when fills exceed 10 feet in height;
2. 
During the preparation of a site for the placement of any fill which is intended to support any building or structure when the fill exceeds three feet in depth;
3. 
During the installation of subsurface drainage facilities.
B. 
Reports filed by the private geotechnical engineer or civil engineer regarding special inspection shall state in writing that from his or her personal knowledge the work performed during the period covered by the report has been performed in substantial accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
C. 
The use of a private geotechnical engineer or civil engineer for inspections shall not preclude the department from conducting personal inspections or from authorizing inspections by other qualified inspectors as may be necessary.
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-39)
The permittee shall cause the work to be done in accordance with the approved plans. If during the course of construction the private geotechnical engineer or civil engineer finds that the work is not being done substantially in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, he or she shall immediately notify the person in charge of the work and the department of the nonconformity and the corrective measures to be taken. When changes in the plans are required, he or she shall prepare or cause to be prepared such proposed changes and submit them to the department for approval.
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-40)
As a condition of the report, periodic progress reports shall be rendered by the private geotechnical engineer or civil engineer as required by the department including, but not limited to, laboratory tests, slope stability, placement of materials, retaining walls, drainage, utilities and any special permit or plan requirements. (See SLTCC § 7.20.380 for requirements if unanticipated conditions are encountered during grading.)
(Ord. 1000 § 1; Code 1997 § 36-41)