§ 14.05.050. Definitions.

A.

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter.

1.

"Approval" means that the proposed work or completed work conforms to this chapter in the opinion of the building official.

2.

"As-graded" means the extent of surface conditions on completion of grading.

3.

"Bedrock" means the more-or-less consolidated rock in place either on or beneath the surface of the earth.

4.

"Bench" means a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed.

5.

"Borrow" means earth material acquired from an offsite location for use in grading a site.

6.

"Building official" means the chief building official or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or such person's duly authorized representative.

7.

"Civil engineer" means a professional engineer registered in the state of California to practice in the field of civil works.

8.

"Civil engineering" means the application of the knowledge of the forces of nature, principles of mechanics and the properties of materials to the valuation, design and construction of civil works.

9.

"Compaction" means the densification of a fill by mechanical means.

10.

"Cut" means excavation.

11.

"Earth material" means any rock, natural soil or fill and/or any combination thereof.

12.

"Embankment" means a deposit of earth material placed by natural or artificial means.

13.

"Engineering geologist" means a geologist certified in the state of California to practice engineering geology.

14.

"Engineering geology" means the application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soils for use in the design of civil works.

15.

"Erosion" means the wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of wind, water and/or ice.

16.

"Excavation" means the mechanical removal of earth material.

17.

"Export" means to transport away from the site.

18.

"Fill" means deposit of earth material placed by artificial means and includes imported materials.

19.

Geotechnical engineer. See "Soils engineer."

20.

"Grade" means the vertical location of the ground surface. "Existing grade" means the grade prior to grading. "Rough grade" means the stages at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan. "Finish grade" means the final grade of the site which conforms to the approved plan.

21.

"Grading" means any excavating or filling or combination thereof.

22.

"Import" means transport to the site.

23.

"Key" means a designed compacted fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the toe of a proposed slope.

24.

"Rainy season" means that period between October 15th of any year and April 15th of the following year.

25.

"Retaining wall" means a wall designed to resist the lateral displacement of soil or other materials.

26.

"Site" means any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership, where grading is performed or permitted.

27.

"Soil" means naturally occurring superficial deposits overlying bedrock.

28.

"Soils engineer (Geotechnical engineer)" means a civil engineer experienced and knowledgeable in the practice of soils engineering and duly registered in the state of California whose field of expertise is soils mechanics.

29.

"Soils engineering" means the application of the principles of soils mechanics in the investigation, evaluation and design of civil works involving the use of earth materials and the inspection and/or testing of the construction thereof.

(Ord. 7127 § 5 (part), 2007: Ord. 6483 § 2 (part), 1992)