Ordinance 04-016 Establishes 9.05 of UDC Clearing & Grading CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY,WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 04-016
AN ORDiNANNCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON, ESTABLISHING 9.05 OF THE SPOKANE VALLEY UNIFORM
DEVELOPMENT CODE CLEARING AND GRADING; REPEALING
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR NON-
COMPLIANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Washington has delegated the responsibility to local
governmental units to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare
of its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, regulating Excavation, Fill and Grading activities is one of those responsibilities;
and.
WHEREAS, the Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code has been designated as the
document intended to contain development regulations for the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Washington, ordains as
follows:
Section 1. Section 9.05. of the Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code is hereby established to read
as follows:
Section 9.05. Excavation,Fill and Grading
Section 9.05.01. Purpose
a. General. The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard health, safety and welfare by regulating grading
and excavation, including fills and embankments, on public and private property located within the
City of Spokane Valley, Washington and to establish procedures for the issuance of permits;
approval of plans and inspection of grading construction.
h. Enforcement. The Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of
this section. The Building Official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and
to adopt policies and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions in compliance
with the intent and purpose of this code. Such policies and procedures shall not have the effect of
waiving requirements specifically provided for in this code or any other county, state or federal law
or ordinance.
c. Liability. The Building Official, or City of Spokane Valley employee charged with the enforcement
of this section, while acting for the jurisdiction in good faith and without malice in the discharge of
the duties required by this section or other pertinent law or ordinance, shall not thereby be rendered
liable personally and is hereby relieved from personal liability for any damage accruing to persons or
property as a result of any act or by reason of an act or omission in the discharge of official duties.
Any suit instituted against an officer or employee because of an act performed by that officer or
employee in the lawful discharge of duties and under the provisions of this section shall be defended
by legal representative of the jurisdiction until the final termination of the proceedings. The Building
Official or any subordinate shall not be liable for cost in any action, suit or proceeding that is
instituted in pursuance of the provisions of this section.
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d. Appeal. An appeal of any decision made by the Spokane Valley Building Official shall be pursuant
to Article ill, Section 1.20.39. Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code.
9.05.02 Permit Required
Except as specified in Section 9.05.03 of this section, no person shall do any grading without first having
obtained a Spokane Valley Grading Permit from the building official. All grading within the City of
Spokane Valley shall comply with the Washington State Environmental Policy Act.
9.05.03 Exempted Work When approved by the Building Official, a Grading Permit shall not be
required for the following:
1. Grading in an isolated, self-contained area if there is no danger to private or public property.
Provided however, that any grading in any floodplain or floodway shall not be exempt from a
Grading Permit.
2. Work located within a dedicated public right-of-way.
3. Landscape ponds or water features that do not exceed 500 sq feet water surface area or three feet
in depth and are fully lined with an approved synthetic pond liner.
4. Excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall or other
structure less than four feet in depth or authorized by a valid building permit. This shall not
exempt any fill made with the material from such excavation or exempt any excavation having an
unsupported height greater than 5 feet(1524 mm)after the completion of such structure.
5. Cemetery graves.
6. Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations.
7. Excavations for wells, tunnels or utilities. This includes any grading required for equipment
staging, not including roads, facilitating the excavation. This also includes excavation work done
to facilitate the Septic Tank Elimination Program.
8. Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing or stockpiling of rock, sand, gravel, aggregate or clay
where established and provided for by law, provided such operations do not affect the lateral
support or increase the stresses in or pressure upon any adjacent or contiguous property.
9. Exploratory excavations under the direction of a professional engineer or professional geologists.
10. An excavation that (1) is less than 2 feet in depth or(2) does not create a cut slope greater than 5
feet in height and steeper than 1 unit vertical in 1 1/2 units horizontal (66.7% slope).
11. A fill less than 1 foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than 1 unit vertical
in 5 units horizontal (20% slope). Less than 3 feet in depth, not intended to support structures
that does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one lot and does not obstruct a drainage course. This
exemption includes landscape berms if the plot plan indicates a no build zone where a specific
berm is located and no slope is created greater than 1 unit vertical in 1 ''A units horizontal (66.7%
slope) not more than five feet(5') in height and there is no danger to private or public property.
Exemption from the permit requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed to grant. authorization
for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other laws
or ordinances of this jurisdiction, the state of Washington or the United States of America.
Section 9.05.04. Testing. The standards listed below are, for the purpose of this Code, recognized
standards:
1. ASTM D 1557, Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified
Effort
2. ASTM D 1556, Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil In Place by the Sand-Cone
Method
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3. ASTM D 2167, Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the Rubber Balloon
Method
4. ASTM D 2937,Test Method for Density of Soil In Place by the Drive-Cylinder Method
5. ASTM D 2922, Test Methods for Density of Soil and Soil-Aggregate In Place by Nuclear
Methods(Shallow Depth)
6. ASTM D 3017, Test Method for Water Content of Soil and Rock in Place by Nuclear Methods
(Shallow Depth)
7. ASTM D 698, Moisture-density Relations of Soils and Soil Aggregate Mixtures.
8. ASTM D 2488, Practice for Description and Identification of Soils(Visual-Manual Procedure).
9. ASTM D 2487, Test Method for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil
Classification System)
Section 9.05.05. HAZARDS
a Whenever the Building Official determines that any existing excavation, embankment or fill on
public or private property has become a hazard to persons or property, or adversely affects the
safety, use or stability of a public way or drainage channel, the owner 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.
b Work that is done without a Grading Permit, if such permit would have been required, shall be
considered hazardous and a public nuisance, subject to all enforcement actions and penalties as
found in the Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code Section 1.20.
Section 9.05.06 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this chapter, the definitions listed hereunder shall be construed as specified in this
section.
APPROVAL, shall mean that the proposed work or completed work conforms to this chapter in the
opinion of the building official.
AS-GRADED is the extent of surface conditions on completion of grading.
BEDROCK is in-place solid rock.
BENCH is a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed.
BORROW is earth material acquired from either an on or off-site location for use in grading on a
site.
BUILDING OFFICIAL is the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration
and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.
COMPACTION is the densification of a fill by mechanical means.
CIUTICAL AREAS. Defined within WAC 365-195-410 to include:
(a) Wetlands;
(b)Areas of critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water;
(c)Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas;
(d)Frequently flooded areas; and
(e)Geologically hazardous areas.
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EARTH MATERIAL is any rock, natural soil or fill or any combination thereof.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY is 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 is the wearing away of the ground surface due to movement of wind, water or ice.
EXCAVATION is the mechanical removal of earth material.
FILL is a deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.
GRADE is the vertical location of the ground surface.
1. Existing Grade is the grade prior to grading.
2. Finish Grade is the final grade of the site that conforms to the approved plan.
3. Rough Grade is the stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.
GRADING is any excavating or filling or combination thereof.
KEY is a designed compacted fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the toe of a
proposed fill slope.
ORGANIC MATERIAL is material derived from living things.
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER is an engineer licensed in Washington under Chapter 18.43 RCW
who is qualified by examination andlor experience to practice in the fields of civil, geotechnical
and/or soils engineering.
PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST is a geologist experienced and knowledgeable in engineering
geology and licensed by the state of Washington to practice.
PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION is the observation and testing to determine conformance with
project plans and specifications required by this code performed by a professional engineer andlor
professional 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.
SEPA Washington State Environmental Policy Act.
SITE is any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership,
where grading is performed or permitted.
SLOPE is an inclined ground surface the inclination of which is a ratio of vertical distance to
horizontal distance,expressed as a percentage.
SOIL is a natural aggregate of mineral grains that can be separated by such gentle mechanical means
as agitation in water.
SPOILS are any materials removed from an excavation. Spoils are not precluded from re-use in fills.
TERRACE is a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and
maintenance purposes.
Section 9.05.07 GRADING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
1. Permits Required. A separate permit shall be obtained for each site, and may cover both
excavations and fills.
2. Work Without a Permit. Grading commenced without first obtaining a Grading Permit from
the Building Official, unless exempt pursuant to Section 3.02 of this code, is subject to all
penalties described in Section 1.20.39. of the Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code
Article Ill including the assessment of an investigative fee for the portion of the work
accomplished without a permit pursuant to Section 3.02.08.1 of the Spokane Valley Uniform
Development Code, based on the value of the work accomplished illegally. The fee is payable
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prior to the acceptance of a Grading Permit Application. Payment of the investigative fee does
not vest the illegal work with any legitimacy, nor does it establish any right to any permit for
continued development of the project. Excavation or fill work that remains illegal for 90 days
after service of a Stop Work Order shall be deemed hazardous.
3. Application. The provisions of IBC Section 106 are applicable, as appropriate, to a Grading
Permit Application. Additionally, the permit applicant shall note the estimated quantities of
work involved on the Spokane Valley Grading Permit Application.
4. Grading Designation. Grading in excess of 500 cubic yards shall be performed in accordance
with the approved grading plan prepared by a professional engineer or professional geologist
licensed to practice in the state of Washington, and shall be designated as "engineered grading."
Grading being proposed in areas identified within Spokane Valley as "Critical Areas" that
require a Washington licensed design professional to prepare grading plans shall qualify as
engineered grading. Grading involving less than 500 cubic yards shall be designated "regular
grading" unless permitee elects "engineered grading", or the submitted plans arc prepared by an
Washington licensed design professional, or the building official determines that special
conditions or unusual hazards exist, in which case grading shall conform to the requirements
for engineered grading.
Section 9.05.08 Engineered Grading Requirements.
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/or an engineering geology report. The plans
and specifications shall be prepared, signed and sealed by a professional engineer professional geologist
or professional land surveyor licensed by the state of Washington. That individual shall be considered the
registered design professional in responsible charge.
1. Specifications. Specifications shall contain information covering construction and material
requirements.
2. Plans. Plans shall be dimensioned, drawn upon suitable material and drawn with sufficient
clarity to illustrate the nature and extent of the proposed work and shall include the following:
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 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. A design criterion is a 100 year event.
e. Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is proposed 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.
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 reports and
the engineering geology reports, which are applicable to grading, may be included by
reference.
g. A SEPA form shall be submitted, along with all other plans to complete an application.
h. 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 and their
professional stamp and/or seal.
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Section 9.05.09 Residential Subdivision Grading. Grading associated with residential subdivision
development shall be "engineered grading." Plans for Residential Subdivision Grading shall contain the
following details in addition to the general information required under 9.05.07.
1. Details of subdivision construction to mitigate the effects of storm water and irrigation run off
for all lots and areas of the subdivision. Specific site construction requirements to mitigate
collection of water in crawlspaees and basements shall be provided.
2. Final location of all grading construction spoils. If spoils are placed on building lots, the
surface overburden, i.e. topsoil and any underlying soils not conforming to the project
requirements of the lots shall be removed prior to the placement of any other fill. If lots arc
comprised of fill materials more than two feet in depth, the compacted fill materials below two
feet in depth from finished grade shall have a minimum allowable bearing capacity of 1500
pounds per square foot. In addition, if the foundation is placed on fill materials, a foundation
analysis and design, prepared by a licensed Washington engineer, shall be required to be
submitted with any subsequent Spokane Valley Building Permit Application.
3. Maximum and minimum elevations for all basement and crawl space floors. Maximum and
minimum elevations for the top of foundation walls. Maximum elevation for lot/ property
boundary lines to provide positive drainage from building sites.
4. Requirements for males or drainage devices to manage storm water and landscape irrigation
runoff.
Section 9.05.10 Ponds, Water Features and Man-made Lakes. All ponds, water features and man-
made lakes greater than 500 sq. ft. in surface area shall be engineered grading. Plans and
specifications for ponds, water features and man-made lakes greater than 500 sq. ft. in surface area
shall contain the following details in addition to the general information required under 9.05.07:
1. Plot plan showing the location of all proposed pond construction relative to any lot line, utility
easement, septic system or replacement area for septic systems.
2. Details of pond construction including section views, soil materials, lining material, special
inspection/observation program and spoils disposal. Provide proposed final water surface
elevation.
3. Details of any water retention device or dam along with provisions for overflow.
4. Written approval of a water source required to maintain the pond demonstrated by water rights,
well permit or other documentation provided by state of Washington Department of Ecolo '
(DOE). Indicate classification and status with respect to DOE dam safety regulations (Chapter
173-175)If exempt,justification of exempt status is required.
5. Proof of notification of the proposed construction submitted to the U.S. Army Corp of
Engineers.
6. If fish are proposed to be stocked in the pond, proof of Washington Fish and Game approval is
required.
Section 9.05.11 Private Driveways. Private Driveways in excess of 150 feet in length measured from
the intersection of the public way to the building the driveway serves shall be considered
engineered grading regardless of the amount of excavation or fill required for construction.
Specifications for these private driveways in addition to the general information required under
9.05.07 are:
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1. Dimensions. Unobstructed width of 20 feet and an unobstructed height of 13 ft 6 inches.
2. Surface. The surface of a private driveway shall be designed and maintained to support a
75,000 pound fire truck. The road shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving
capabilities.
3. Turn radii. Turn radii of 28.5 feet minimum are required. Smaller radii may be used if a
design is submitted that will allow a 75,000 pound fire truck to drive over the curb or road
shoulder.
4. Turnaround. For private driveways over 150 feet in length, a 120 foot hammerhead, 60 foot
"Y" or a 96 foot diameter cul-de-sac is required.
5. Grade. Private driveways equal to or exceeding a 10% slope are required to have those areas
of the driveway that equal or exceed a 10% slope paved with a hard, non slip, water repellant
surface, such as asphalt or Portland cement concrete.
Section 9.05.12 Soils Engineering Report. The soils engineering report 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 an
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 shall be included.
Section 9.05.13 Engineering Geology Report.The engineering geology report 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.
Section 9.05.14 Regular Grading Requirements. Each application for a grading permit shall be
accompanied by a plan 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:
1. General vicinity of the proposed site.
2. Limiting dimensions and depth of cut and/or fill. Total volume of cut or 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.
Section 9.05.14.1 CUTS and EXCAVATION
1. General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved soils engineering or engineering
geology report, cuts shall conform to the provisions of this section.
2. Slope. The slope of cut surfaces shall he no steeper than is safe for the intended use and shall be
no steeper than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope). Cut slopes steeper than 50%
shall require an Engineered Grading Permit.
Section 9.05.14.2 FILLS
1. General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved soils engineering report, fills shall
conform to the provisions of this section.
2. Preparation of Ground. Fill slopes shall not be constructed on natural slopes steeper than 1 unit
vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope). The ground surface shall be prepared to receive fill by
removing vegetation, non-complying fill, topsoil and other unsuitable materials and scarifying to
provide a bond with the new fill. Where slopes arc steeper than l unit vertical in 5 units
horizontal (20% slope) and the height is greater than 5 feet, an Engineered Grading shall be
required.
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3. Fill Material. Detrimental amounts of organic material shall not be permitted in fill. Except as
permitted by the building official, no rock or similar irreducible material with a maximum
dimension greater than 12 inches shall be buried or placed in fill.
Prior to issuance of the grading permit, potential rock disposal areas shall be delineated on the
grading plan. Rock sizes greater than 12 inches in maximum dimension shall be 10 feet or more
below grade, measured vertically. Rocks shall be placed so as to assure filling of all voids with
well-graded soil.
4. Compaction.All fills shall be compacted to a minimum of 90 percent of maximum density.
Section 9.05.14.3. SETBACKS
1. General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved soils engineering report, cut and fill slopes
shall be set back from site boundaries in accordance with this section.
2. Top of Cut Slope. The top of cut slopes shall not be made nearer to a site boundary line than one
fifth of the vertical height of cut with a minimum of 2 feet.
3. Toe of Fill Slope. The toe of fill slope shall be made not nearer to the site boundary line than one half
the height of the slope with a minimum of 2 feet with no required set back from the boundary greater
than 20 feet. Where a fill slope is to be located near the site boundary and the adjacent off-site
property is developed, special precautions shall be incorporated in the work as the building official
deems necessary to protect the adjoining property from damage as a result of such grading. These
precautions may include but are not limited to:
a. Additional setbacks.
b. Provision for retaining or slough walls.
c. Mechanical or chemical treatment of the fill slope surface to minimize erosion.
d. Provisions for the control of surface waters.
e. Consultation with a professional engineer.
4. Modification of Slope Location. The building official may approve alternate setbacks. The building
official may require an investigation and recommendation by a qualified professional engineer or
professional geologist to demonstrate that the intent of this section has been satisfied.
Section 9.05.14.4. DRAINAGE AND TERRACING
I. General. Unless otherwise indicated on the approved soils engineering report, drainage facilities and
terracing shall conform to the provisions of this section for cut or fill slopes steeper than 1 unit
vertical in 3 units horizontal (36.3%slope).
2. Terrace. Terraces at least 8 feet in width shall be established at not more than 30-foot vertical
intervals on all cut or fill slopes to control surface drainage and debris. Where only one terrace is
required, it shall be at mid-height. Cut or fill slopes greater than 60 feet in height shall be designed by
a professional engineer and shall be considered Engineered Grading.
3. Drainage. Swales or ditches on terraces shall have a minimum gradient of 5 percent and must be
paved with reinforced concrete or gunite not less than 3 inches in thickness or an approved equal
paving. They shall have a minimum depth at the deepest point of 1 foot and a minimum paved width
of 5 feet.
A single run of swale or ditch shall not collect runoff from a tributary area exceeding 13,500 square
feet(projected)without discharging into a down drain.
4. Subsurface Drainage. Cut and fill slopes shall be provided with subsurface drainage as necessary
for stability.
5. Interceptor Drains. Paved interceptor drains shall be installed along the top of all cut slopes where
the tributary drainage area above slopes toward the cut and has a drainage path greater than 40 feet
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measured horizontally. Interceptor drains shall be paved with a minimum of 3 inches of reinforced
concrete or gunite, or an approved equivalent. Drains shall have a minimum depth of 12 inches and a
minimum paved width of 30 inches measured horizontally across the drain. The slope of drain shall
be approved by the building official.
6. Disposal. All drainage facilities shall he designed to carry 100 year event waters to the nearest
practicable drainage way or other discharge point approved by the building official. Erosion of
ground in the area of discharge shall be controlled by installation of down drains or other devices.
7. Building Pads. Surface drainage shall be diverted to a storm sewer conveyance or other approved
point of collection so as to not create a hazard. Lots shall be graded so as to drain surface water away
from foundation walls. The grade away from foundation walls shall fall a minimum of 6 inches
within the first 10 feet.
Exception: Where lot lines, walls, slopes or other physical barriers prohibit 6 inches of fall within 10
feet, drains or swales shall be provided to ensure drainage away from the structure.
Section 9.05.15 EROSION CONTROL
1. Slopes. The faces of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained to control erosion. This
control may consist of effective planting. The protection for the slopes shall be installed as soon
as practicable and prior to calling for final approval. Where cut slopes are not subject to erosion
due to the erosion-resistant character of the materials, such protection may be omitted.
2. Other Devices. Where necessary, check dams, cribbing, riprap or other devices or methods shall
be employed to control erosion and provide safety.
3. Other Requirements. The issuance of a Grading Permit does not obviate or reduce Federal
EPA, Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority or Washington Department of Ecology
regulations for controlling pollution or erosion by the applicant, the contractor or the property
owner.
4. Issuance. The Building Official may require that grading operations and project designs be
modified if delays occur which incur weather-generated problems not considered at the time the
permit was issued.
The Building Official may require professional inspection and testing by a soil engineer. When
the building official has cause to believe that geologic factors may be involved, the grading will
be required to conform to Engineered Grading requirements.
Section 9.05.16 GRADING FEES
1. General. Fees shall be assessed in accordance with a resolution approved by the Spokane Valley
City Council.
2. Plan Review Fees. When a plan or other data is required to be submitted, a plan review fee shall
be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for review. Separate plan review fees
shall apply to retaining walls or major drainage structures as required elsewhere in this code. For
excavation and fill on the same site, the fee will be based on the volume of excavation or fill,
whichever is greater.
3. Grading Permit Fees. Separate permits and fees shall apply to retaining walls or major drainage
structures as required elsewhere in this code. There shall be no separate charge for standard
terrace drains and similar facilities.
Section 9.05.17 GRADING INSPECTION
1. General. Grading operations for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the
Building Official.
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2. Professional inspection. Professional observation and testing to determine conformance with
project plans and specifications of grading operations shall be provided by professional engineer
and/or the professional geologist retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 6.4
for engineered grading and as required by the building official for regular grading. That
individual shall be the registered design professional in responsible charge.
3. Professional Engineer. The professional engineer shall provide professional observation and
testing to determine conformance with project plans and specifications within such engineer's
area of competence, which shall include observation and review during preparation of the natural
ground, site grading, placement of fill, testing for compaction as well as establishment of line
,grade and surface drainage of the development area. if actual work will differ from the approved
plans and reports and revised plans are required during the course of the work, they shall be
prepared under the direct supervision of the professional engineer and submitted to the building
official for review and approval prior to any revised work commencing.
4. Professional geologist. The professional geologist shall provide professional observation and
testing to determine conformance with project plans and specifications within such engineer's
area of technical specialty, which shall include professional observation and testing of the
bedrock excavation to determine if conditions encountered are in conformance with the approved
report. Revised recommendations relating to conditions differing from the approved engineering
geology report shall be submitted to the soils engineer.
5. Permitee.The permitee shall be responsible for the work to be performed in accordance with the
approved plans and specifications and in conformance with the provisions of this code, and the
permitee shall engage consultants, if required, to provide professional inspections on a timely
basis. The permitee shall act as a coordinator between the consultants, the contractor and the
Building Official. In the event of changed conditions, the permitee shall be responsible for
informing the building official of such change and shall provide revised plans for approval prior
to any revised work commencing.
6. Building Official.The Building Official shall inspect the project anchor the inspection documents
at the various stages of work requiring approval to determine that the project is within the
requirements of this code.
7. Notification of Noncompliance. If, in the course of fulfilling their respective duties under this
chapter, design professional in responsible charge finds that the work is not in conformance with
this chapter or the approved grading plans, the discrepancies shall be reported immediately in
writing to the permitee and to the building official.
8. Transfer of Responsibility. If the registered design professional in responsible charge is
changed during the execution of the Spokane Valley Grading Permit, the work shall be stopped
until the replacement has been named and been approved by the building official. Further, that
replacement shall agree in writing to accept their responsibility within the area of technical
competence. It shall be the duty of the permitee to notify the building official in writing of such
change prior to the recommencement of such grading.
Section 9.05.18 COMPLETION OF WORK
1. Final Reports. Upon completion of the rough grading work and at the final completion of the
work, the design professional in responsible charge for Engineered Grading or when professional
observation and testing to determine conformance with project plans and specifications is
performed for regular grading, as applicable, shall submit record plans and a final report. Those
plans and reports shall indicate:
a. All grading work was done in conformance with the approved plans.
b. All discrepancies encountered with the approved plans and resolutions of those discrepancies.
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c. All plans and reports shall bear the stamp or seal of the licensed professional preparing the
report.
2. Notification of Completion. The permitee 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 final
reports have been submitted to Spokane Valley.
3. Violations. Any work done in violation of any of the provisions of Article 111, Spokane Valley
Uniform Development Code that continues to remain in violation is declared to be a public
nuisance. Article I, Section 1.20, Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code is specifically
cited to address those continued, unresolved violations.
Section 9.05.19 Reserved.
Section 2. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such
invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without
the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of the chapter are declared to be
severable.
Section 3. Effective date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect five (5) clays after publication
of this ordinance or a summary thereof in the official newspaper of the City as provided by law.
Approved by the City Council this 27th day of April, 2004.
C- ♦
Michael DeVleming, Mayor
./ A -.at r /•
C-h�istine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Ap)roved as to forth.
_ , / , -/ /.
Cary P/ ris-ell, Deput .Gty Attorney
/
Date of publication:, 7 'U_7
Effective date: --/? -dr
Ordinance 04-016 Grading Page 11 of 11