Municipal Code, Complete - City of Santa Barbara

J104.2.1 Grading Designation. Grading in excess of 5,000 cubic yards or for the support of a structure
shall be performed in accordance with the approved grading plan prepared by a civil engineer, and shall be designated
as “engineered grading.” Grading involving less than 5,000 cubic yards (3,825 m3) shall be designated “regular
grading” unless the permittee chooses to have the grading performed as engineered grading, or the Building Official
determines that special conditions or unusual hazards exist, in which case grading shall conform to the requirements
for engineered grading.
J104.2.2 Regular Grading Requirements. In addition to the provisions of Section J106 and Section
J104.2, an application for a regular grading permit shall be accompanied by three sets of plans in sufficient clarity to
indicate the nature and extent of the work. The plans and specifications shall be prepared and signed by an individual
licensed by the state to prepare such plans or specifications.
Plans shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or mylar 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. Each 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, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
1. General vicinity of the proposed site.
2. Limiting dimensions and depth of cut and fill.
3. Location of any buildings or structures where work is to be performed, and the location of any buildings
or structures within 15 feet of the proposed grading.
4. Contours, flow areas, elevations, or slopes which define existing and proposed drainage patterns.
5. Erosion/sedimentation, storm water and dust control provisions are required to be shown on the grading
plan in accordance with the requirements of Sections J110, J111 and J112 of this appendix.
J104.2.3 Engineered Grading Requirements. In addition to the provisions of Sections J104.2 and J106,
an application for an engineered grading permit shall be accompanied by 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 or specifications when required by the
Building Official.
Specifications shall contain information covering construction and material requirements.
Plans shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or mylar 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. Each sheet of each set of plans shall give the location of the work,
the name and address of the owner, and the person by whom they were prepared.
The plans shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
1. A vicinity map showing the proposed site.
2. Property limits and accurate contours of existing ground and details of terrain and area drainage.
3. Limiting dimensions, elevations or finish contours to be achieved by the grading, and proposed
drainage channels and related construction.
4. Detailed plans of all surface and subsurface drainage devices, walls, cribbing, dams and other
protective devices to be constructed with, or as a part of, the proposed work, together with a map showing the
drainage area and the estimated runoff of the area served by any drains.
5. 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 15 feet of the property or that may
be affected by the proposed grading operations.
6. 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 report, which are applicable
to grading, may be included by reference.
7. 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.
8. A statement of the quantities of material to be excavated and/or filled and the amount of such
material to be imported to, or exported from the site.
9. A statement of the estimated starting and completion dates for work covered by the permit.
10. A statement signed by the owner acknowledging that a field engineer, soils engineer and engineering
geologist, when appropriate, will be employed to perform the services required by this code, whenever approval of
the plans and issuance of the permit are to be based on the condition that such professional persons be so employed.
11. Erosion/sedimentation, storm water and dust control provisions are required to be shown on the
grading plan in accordance with the requirements of Sections J110, J111 and J112 of this appendix.
12. A drainage plan for that portion of a lot or parcel to be utilized as a building site (building pad),
including elevations of floors with respect to finish site grade and locations of proposed stoops, slabs and fences that
may affect drainage.
13. Location and type of any proposed private sewage disposal system.
14. Location of existing utilities and drainage facilities and recorded easements (public and private).
15. Location of all flood zones as designated and defined in Title 44, Code of Federal Regulations.
384-11 rev. 1/1/11