This chapter imposes grading requirements in accordance with the California Construction Codes and also addresses the requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 USC 1251 et seq.) in enacting these regulations to comply with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (hereinafter "NPDES") permit issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. This code sets forth rules and regulations to control excavation, grading and earthwork construction, including fills and embankments, and establishes administrative requirements for issuance of permits and approval of plans and inspection of grading construction in accordance with the requirements for grading and excavation as contained in the California Building Code then in effect as adopted and modified by city ordinance as well as water quality requirements relevant to activities subject to this chapter.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
The following definitions shall apply in interpreting this chapter:
Approval.
A written engineering or geological opinion by the responsible engineer, geologist of record or responsible principal of the engineering company concerning the progress and completion of the work unless it specifically refers to the building official.
Approved Plans.
The current grading plans, which bear the stamp of approval of the building official.
As-Graded.
The extent of surface conditions on completion of rough or precise grading.
Bedrock.
In-place solid rock.
Bench.
A relatively level step excavated into earth materials on which fill is to be placed.
Borrow.
Earth material acquired from an off-site location for use in grading on a site.
Building Official.
For purposes of this chapter only, or any reference to building official in the California Building Code or state equivalent, shall mean the city of Fountain Valley building official.
Civil Engineer.
A professional engineer registered in the state of California to practice in the field of civil engineering.
Civil Engineering.
The application of the knowledge of the forces of nature, principles of mechanics and the properties of materials to the evaluation, design and construction of civil works.
Compaction.
The densification of a fill by mechanical means.
Earth Material.
Any rock, natural soil or fill or any combination thereof.
Engineering Geologist.
A geologist certified in the state of California to practice engineering geology.
Engineering Geology.
The application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soil for use in the design of civil works.
Erosion.
The wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of wind, water, and/or ice.
Erosion Control System.
A combination of desilting facilities, and erosion protection, including effective planting, to protect adjacent private property, watercourses, public facilities, and receiving waters from an abnormal deposition of sediment or dust.
Excavation.
The mechanical removal of earth material.
Existing Grade.
The ground surface prior to grading.
Fill.
A deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.
Finished Grade.
The final grade of the site, which conforms to the approved precise grading plan.
Geotechnical Engineer.
See "Soils Engineer."
Grade.
The vertical location of the ground surface.
Grading.
Any excavating or filling or combination thereof and movement or redistribution of material to achieve the desired rough grade or finished grade.
Grading Contractor.
A contractor licensed and regulated by the state of California who specializes in grading work or is otherwise licensed to do grading work.
Grading Permit.
An official document or certificate issued by the building official authorizing grading activity as specified by approved plans and specifications.
Key.
A designed compacted fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the toe of a proposed fill slope.
Natural Grade.
The ground surface unaltered by artificial means.
Owner.
Any person, agency, firm, or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in a given real property.
Permanent Erosion Control Devices.
Improvements, which remain throughout the life of the development, include: terrace drains, slope landscaping, storm drains, etc.
Precise Grading Permit.
A permit that is issued on the basis of approved precise grading plans, which shows the precise structure location, finish elevations, and related on-site improvements.
Preliminary Grading Permit.
A permit that is issued on the basis of approved rough grading plans which need not show a structure location but must show interim building pad drainage to the degree required by the building official.
Professional Inspection.
The inspection required by this code to be performed by the civil engineer soils engineer or engineering geologist. Such inspections include that performed by persons supervised by such engineers or geologists and shall be sufficient to form an opinion relating to the conduct of the work.
Rough Grade.
The stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved rough grading plan.
Semi-Permanent Erosion Control Devices.
Devices that are used primarily during construction, including earthen berms, concrete spillways, desilting basins, etc.
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.
Soil.
Naturally occurring superficial deposits overlying bedrock.
Soils Engineer.
A civil engineer duly registered in the state of California whose field of expertise is soil mechanics.
Soils Engineer (Geotechnical Engineer).
An engineer duly registered in the state of California experienced and knowledgeable in the practice of soils engineering (geotechnical engineering).
Soils Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering).
The application of the principals of soils mechanics in the investigation, evaluation, and design of civil works involving the use of earth materials and the inspection or testing of the construction thereof.
Storm Water Permits.
Any permits issued by a local, state, or federal regulatory agency regulating storm water flow over and from any project subject to this chapter including, but not limited to, NPDES permits and state general permits.
Temporary Erosion Control Devices.
Devices that are removable, including: sandbags, gravel bags, plastic sheeting, silt fencing, straw bales, and similar items.
Terrace.
A relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and maintenance purposes.
Water Quality Requirements.
The requirements relevant to activities that are subject to this chapter found in the water quality ordinance, the DAMP, and guidance documents included in the DAMP, as well as requirements relevant to the activities that are subject to this chapter found in storm water permits.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
The city does hereby adopt those standards set forth in Appendix Chapter J of the 2016 California Building Code.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
To obtain a grading permit, the applicant must first file an application in writing on a form furnished by the building official. The permit application shall be accompanied by information required by the building official. Each application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by a plan prepared by a licensed engineer in sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work. The plans shall give the location of the work, the name of the owner, and the name of the person who prepared the plan. The plan shall include the following information:
(a) 
General vicinity of the proposed site;
(b) 
Limiting dimensions and depth of cut and fill; and
(c) 
Location of any buildings or structures where work is to be performed and, the location of any buildings or structures within fifteen feet (four thousand five hundred seventy-two mm) of the proposed grading.
Prior to the approval of any building or grading plans and specifications, the building official, or authorized representative, may inspect the site to determine that the plans and specifications are current and reflect existing conditions. Applications for which no permit is issued within one hundred eighty days following the date of application shall expire and plans submitted for checking may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed by the building official. The building official may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not exceeding one hundred eighty days upon written request by the applicant showing that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented action from being taken. In order to renew action for an application after expiration, the applicant shall resubmit plans and pay a new plan check fee.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
(a) 
The building official shall not issue a permit where the work as proposed by the applicant will be in violation of this chapter or is likely to constitute a hazard to property or result in the deposit of debris on any public way or interfere with any existing drainage course. If it can be shown to the satisfaction of the building official that the hazard can be essentially eliminated by the construction of retaining structures, drainage devices or by other means, the building official may issue the permit with the condition that such work be performed.
(b) 
If, in the opinion of the building official, the land area for which grading is proposed is subject to geological or flood hazard to the extent that no reasonable amount of corrective work can eliminate or sufficiently reduce the hazard to human life or property, the grading permit and the building permits for habitable structures shall be denied.
(c) 
The building official may require plans and specifications to be modified in order to mitigate anticipated adverse environmental effects of proposed grading projects and may, under circumstances where the significant adverse environmental effects of a proposed project cannot be mitigated, deny the issuance of a grading permit.
(d) 
The building official may require plans and specifications to be modified in order to make them consistent with the general plan, any specific plan zoning code water quality requirements, or other rules regulations or conditions applicable to the project. The grading permit may be denied if the proposed project cannot be designed in accordance with these rules, regulations or conditions.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by two sets of plans and specifications, and supporting data consisting of a soils engineering report and engineering geology report. The plans and specifications shall be prepared and signed by an individual licensed by the state to prepare such plans and specifications when required by the building official. Specifications shall contain information conveying construction and material requirements. Plans shall be drawn to scale in ACAD last edition format upon twenty-four by thirty-six-inch substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that they will conform to the provisions of this code and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. The first sheet of each set of plans shall give location of the work, the name and address of the owner, and the person by whom they were prepared. The plans shall include the following information:
(a) 
General vicinity of the proposed site;
(b) 
Property limits and accurate contours of existing ground and details of terrain and area drainage;
(c) 
Limiting dimensions, elevations, or finish contours to be achieved by the grading, and proposed drainage channels and related construction;
(d) 
Detailed plans and elevations of all surface and subsurface drainage devices, walls, cribbing, dams, and other protective devices to be constructed with, or as part of, the proposed work, together with a map showing the drainage area and the estimated runoff of the area served by any drains;
(e) 
Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is to be performed and the location of any buildings or structures on land of adjacent owners that are within fifteen feet (four thousand five hundred seventy-two mm) of the property, or that may be affected by the proposed grading operations;
(f) 
Recommendations included in the soils engineering report and the engineering geology report shall be incorporated in the grading plans or specifications. When approved by the building official, specific recommendations contained in the soils engineering report and the engineering geology reports, which are applicable to grading, may be included by reference; and
(g) 
The dates of the soils, engineering, and engineering geology reports together with the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the firms or individuals who prepared the reports.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
The soils engineering report required by Section 18.06.130 of this chapter shall include data regarding the nature, distribution and strength of existing soils, conclusions, and recommendations for grading procedures and design criteria for corrective measures, including buttress fills, when necessary, and opinion on adequacy for the intended use of sites to be developed by the proposed grading as affected by soils engineering factors, including the stability of slopes.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
The engineering geology report required by Section 18.06.130 of this chapter shall include an adequate description of the geology of the site conclusions and recommendations regarding the effect of geologic conditions on the proposed development, and opinion on the adequacy for the intended use of sites to be developed by the proposed grading, as affected by geologic factors.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
The building official may require a geotechnical investigation when, during the course of an investigation, any of the following conditions are discovered, the report shall address the potential for liquefaction:
(a) 
Shallow ground water, fifty feet (fifteen thousand two hundred forty mm) or less;
(b) 
Unconsolidated sandy alluvium;
(c) 
Seismic Zones D and E; or
(d) 
The property is located within the city's seismic hazard overlay zone (Section 21.14.050 of this code).
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
The city adopts the erosion control provisions imposed by the NPDES permit, including the following:
(a) 
The project site shall be prepared and maintained to control against erosion in accordance with this chapter. Where cut slopes are not subject to erosion due to the erosion-resistant character of the materials, such protection may be omitted upon approval by the building official and/or director of public works.
(b) 
Where necessary, temporary, and/or permanent erosion control devices such as desilting basins, check dams, riprap, or other devices, as approved by the building official and/or director of public works, shall be employed to control erosion and provide safety.
(c) 
Paved streets, sidewalks, and other improvements shall be maintained in a neat and clean condition free of loose soil, construction debris, and trash. Street sweeping using a vacuum sweeper or other equally effective means shall be used on a regular basis to prevent storm flows from carrying sediment and debris outside the project boundaries.
(d) 
Unless otherwise approved by the building official and/or director of public works, the owner shall be required to retain a civil engineer who will be responsible for the design of all erosion control improvements and initial approval of the installation of permanent and semi-permanent erosion control devices during each rainy season until the work authorized by the permit is given final approval. The owner shall retain the civil engineer to periodically review the field condition and modify, as needed, the design of the permanent and semi-permanent erosion control devices during the rainy season. Installation and maintenance of all erosion control devices shall be the responsibility of the owner.
(e) 
Desilting facilities shall be provided at drainage outlets from the graded site where necessary.
(f) 
Desilting basins constructed of compacted earth shall be compacted to a relative compaction of ninety percent of maximum density. A soil engineering report, prepared by the soil engineer, which includes the type of field-testing performed, location, and results of testing shall be submitted to the building official and/or director of public works for approval upon completion of the desilting basins.
(g) 
Equipment and workers for emergency work shall be made available at all times. Necessary materials shall be available on-site and stockpiled at convenient locations to facilitate rapid construction of temporary devices when rain is imminent.
(h) 
Erosion protection shall consist of effective planting of all slopes in excess of five feet high unless otherwise approved by the building official and/or director of public works. Protection for the slopes shall be installed as soon as practicable which may be prior to rough grade approval. Effective planting shall be installed, fully germinated, and effectively cover the required slopes prior to final approval unless otherwise approved by the building official and/or director of public works.
(i) 
The erosion-control provisions shall take into account drainage patterns during the current and future phases of grading.
(j) 
All removable protective devices shown shall be in place at the end of each working day when the five-day rain probability forecast exceeds forty percent.
(k) 
Graded areas around the tract perimeter must drain away from the face of slopes at the conclusion of each working day.
(l) 
Any violation of an applicable federal or state-issued stormwater permit, or failure to conform to the city's water quality ordinance, including, but not limited to, the stormwater regulations set forth in Chapter 14.40 of this code, or failure to comply with stormwater related provisions of a grading permit or of a grading plan prepared to secure such a permit, is a violation of this chapter.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
(a) 
After each rainstorm, silt and debris shall be removed from check berms and desilting basins and the basins pumped dry.
(b) 
After each rainstorm, the performance of the erosion control system shall be evaluated, revised, and repaired as necessary.
(c) 
Devices shall not be moved or modified without the approval of the building official and/or director of public works.
(d) 
The contractor shall be responsible and shall take necessary precautions to prevent public trespass onto areas where impounded water creates a hazardous condition.
(e) 
The contractor, permittee, or project owner shall be responsible for continual maintenance of the devices. In the event of failure or refusal by the contractor, permittee, or project owner to properly maintain the devices, the building official may cause emergency maintenance work to be done to protect adjacent private and public property and environmental resources. The cost shall be charged to the owner and shall include an initial mobilization cost plus the cost of doing the work, including salaries, equipment, and materials.
(f) 
In the event the building official must cause emergency maintenance work to be done, he or she may revoke the grading permit in writing. The permit shall not be renewed until an erosion control system and/or other systems necessary to comply with water quality requirements approved by the director are installed.
(g) 
If any grading subject to Section 18.06.040 of this chapter has commenced on private property without a valid grading permit, the property owner may be required to prepare and implement an erosion control plan which has been approved by the building official. In the event of failure by the property owner to install an approved erosion control system and/or other systems necessary to comply with the city's water requirements, the building official may cause emergency work to be done to protect adjacent private and public property. The procedures of this section shall apply for emergency erosion control work and emergency work necessary to protect environmental resources. The cost shall be charged to the owner.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
(a) 
Grading operations for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspections by the building official. Professional inspection of grading operations shall be provided by the professional listed hereafter.
(b) 
It shall be the responsibility of the permittee to be knowledgeable of the conditions and/or restrictions of the grading permit as outlined in this code and as contained on the approved grading plans. The permittee shall also maintain in an accessible location on the site, a copy of the approved grading plan.
(c) 
All permits, waivers, or exemptions issued hereunder shall be deemed to include the provisions that the permittee, his or her agents, contractors, and employees shall carry out the proposed work in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and in accordance with any applicable water quality requirements prepared and maintained pursuant to federal, state, or city regulation, and in compliance with all requirements of the permit and this chapter. Failure to carry out the work in accordance with approved plans and specifications, the applicable water quality requirements, and in compliance with all requirements of the permit and this chapter shall be a violation of this chapter.
(d) 
The engineering geologist's area of responsibility shall include, but need not be limited to professional inspection and written approval of the adequacy of natural ground for receiving fills, the stability of cut slopes with respect to geological matters, and the need for sub drains or other groundwater drainage devices. The engineering geologist shall report his or her finding to the soil engineer and the civil engineer for engineering analysis.
(e) 
The soil engineer's area of responsibility shall include, but need not be limited to the professional inspection and approval concerning this preparation of ground to receive fills, testing for required compaction, stability of all finish slopes, and design of buttress fills, subdrain installation, and incorporation of data supplied by the engineering geologist. The soils engineer shall also provide professional inspection within such engineer's area of technical specialty, which shall include observation during grading and testing for required compaction. The soils engineer shall provide sufficient observation during the preparation of the natural ground and placement and compaction of the fill to verify that such work is being performed in accordance with the conditions of the approved plan and the appropriate requirements of this chapter. Reapproved recommendations relating to conditions, differing from the approved soils engineering and engineering geology reports shall be submitted to the permittee, the building official, and the civil engineer.
(f) 
It shall be the responsibility of the civil engineer, architect, or other qualified individual who prepares the grading plan approved by the building official or the building official's designee to incorporate all recommendations from the soils engineering and engineering geology reports into the grading plan. He or she shall also be responsible for the professional inspection and approval of the grading within his or her area of technical specialty. This responsibility shall include but need not be limited to inspection and approval as to the establishment of line grade and drainage of the development area. The project civil engineer and/or general contractor shall act as the coordinating agent in the event the need arises for liaison between the project professional, grading contractor and the director. The civil engineer or other qualified person who prepares and signs the grading plan shall control plans and the submission of as-graded grading plans when required by the building official upon completion of the work.
(g) 
The permittee shall notify the building official prior to any clearing, brushing, or grubbing and when the grading operations are ready for inspection.
(h) 
If the building official finds that the soil or other conditions are not as stated in the approved plans and soil or geology reports, he or she may, using reasonable judgment, refuse to allow further work until approval is obtained for a revised grading plan which will conform to the conditions.
(i) 
No person shall conduct any grading, clearing, brushing, or grubbing on natural or existing grade that is preparatory to grading without first having obtained a grading permit from the city. Exemptions to this requirement are as provided in this chapter or as otherwise determined by the building official.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Upon completion of the rough grading work and at the final completion of the work, the following reports and drawings and supplements thereto are required for engineered grading or when professional inspection is performed for regular grading, as applicable.
(a) 
An as-built grading plan prepared by the civil engineer showing original ground surface elevations, as-graded ground surface elevations, lot drainage patterns, and the locations and elevations of surface drainage facilities and of the outlets of subsurface drains. As-constructed locations elevations and details of subsurface drains shall be shown as reported by the soils engineer. Civil engineers shall state that to the best of their knowledge the work within their area of responsibility was done in substantial conformance with the final approved grading plan.
(b) 
A report prepared by the soils engineer retained to provide such services, including locations and elevations of field density tests, summaries of field and laboratory tests, other substantiating data, and comments on any changes made during grading and their effect on the recommendations made in the approved soils engineering investigation report. Soils engineers shall submit a statement that to the best of their knowledge, the work within their area of responsibilities is in accordance with the approved soils engineering report and applicable provisions of this chapter.
(c) 
A report prepared by the engineering geologist retained to provide such services including a final description of the geology of the site and any new information disclosed during the grading and the effect of same on recommendations incorporated in the approved grading plan. Engineering geologists shall submit a statement that, to the best of their knowledge, the work within their area of responsibility is in accordance with the approved engineering geologist report and applicable provisions of this chapter.
(d) 
The grading contractor shall submit in a form prescribed by the building official a statement of conformance to said as-built plan and specifications.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
The permittee shall notify the building official when the grading operation is ready for final inspection. Final approval shall not be given until all work including installation of all drainage facilities and their protective devices and all erosion-control measures have been completed in accordance with the final approved grading plan, and the required reports have been submitted.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Whenever the building official determines that any existing excavation or embankment or fill on private property has become a hazard to life and limb, or endangers property, or adversely affects the safety, use, or stability of a public way or drainage channel, the owner of the property upon which the excavation or fill is located, or other person or agent in control of said property, upon receipt of notice in writing from the building official, shall within the period specified therein repair or eliminate such excavation or embankment to eliminate the hazard and to be in conformance with the requirements of this code.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
The city council shall establish, by resolution, fees for the administration of this chapter.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Any condition in violation of the prohibitions of this chapter, including but not limited to the maintenance or use of any illicit connection or the occurrence of any prohibited discharge shall constitute a threat to the public health safety and welfare, and is declared and deemed a nuisance pursuant to Government Code Section 38771. At the request of the director of public works, the enforcing attorney may seek a court order to enjoin and/or abate the nuisance.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Any person who negligently or knowingly violates any provision of this chapter, undertakes to conceal any violation of this chapter, continues any violation of this chapter after notice thereof, or violates the terms, conditions, and requirements of any permit issued pursuant to this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for a period of not more than six months, or both. Each day in which a violation occurs and each separate failure to comply with either a separate provision of this chapter, a notice of noncompliance, an administrative compliance order, a cease-and-desist order, or a permit issued pursuant to this chapter, shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter punishable by fines or sentences issued in accordance herewith.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)