HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-04-13 Ordinance
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ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE II, THE BUILDING CODE, BY ADOPTING
THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE STANDARDS, 1991 EDITION AND THE 1991 EDITION OF
THE UNIFORM ~ILDING CODE EDITED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF
BUILDING OFFI IALS, AND PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN AMENDMENTS THEREOF; TO
PROVIDE FOR T ~ROTECTlON OF THE HEALTH, WELFA, R~ AND SAFETY OF THE
CITIZENS OF IOWA ITY, IOWA. /
I
BE IT ORDAINED BY TH~ CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA:
SECTION 1. PURPOSE. \he purpose of this ordinance Is to adopt the Uniform Building Code
Standards 1991 Edition, and the 1991 Edition of the Unifo~ Building Code as prepared and
edited by the International conl~rence of Building Officials; and to provide for certain amendments
thereof; to provide for the protec~on of the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Iowa City,
Iowa and provide for its enforce nl. I
SECTION 2, Section 8-16 of the ode of Ordinances of the City of Iowa City, Iowa Is hereby
repealed and the following new Sec 'on 8.16 Is enac(ed In lieu thereof.
Sec. 8.16. Adopted. ~ /
Subject to the following amendment the Uniform Building Code Standards 1991 Edition and
the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Bulldi ~CodS are hereby adopted and shall be known as the
Iowa City Building Code, or the Bulldln, Co'de. Interpretations of the Building Officials shall
be guided by the UBC appllcatlon/lnterp '~(atlon manual.
SECTION 3. Section 8-17 of the Code oXO~dlnances of the City of Iowa City, Iowa Is hereby
repealed and the following new section 8.1719 enacted In lieu thereof.
Sec. 8-17. Amendments, / '\'
The following sections of the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) are amended
to read as follows: / \
(1) Delele Section 301(b) andlnsert In lieu the)~f the following: .
(b) Exempted work. r{ building permit sh I not be required for the following:
1. One-story detac~6d accessory bulldin s used as tool and storage sheds,
playhouses and ;slmilar uses, provided the flsr area does not exceed one hundred
forty-four (144);square feel.
2. Fences not over six (6) feet high.
3, 011 derricks';
4. Movable cfses, counters and partitions not over lve (5) feet nine (9) Inches high,
5. Retaining/wails which are not over four (4) feet In Il~ghl measured from the top of
the footl~g to the top of the wall unless the wall SUPPSIS a surcharge or Impounds
flammable liquids,
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6. Wate7tower supported directly upon grade If the cap ~ily does not exceed five
thou9and (5,000) gallons and If the ratio of helght-tO-dla~ter or width does not
exceed 2:1.
7. Walks and driveways which do not extend over any bas em nt or story below,
8, P,a'lntlng, papering and similar finish work,
9. Temporary motion picture, television and theater sets and sceQery,
10. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of a Group R Division 3 and Group
M occupancies when projecting not more than flily-four (54) IncAes,
Prefabricated swimming pools, accessory to a Group R Division \3 occupancy In
which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade If the capaCity does not
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Ordinance No.
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exceed five thousand (5,000) gallons and Is less than eighteen (18) Inches In
depth,
12, Reapplication of shingles and siding of Group R Division 3 and Group M
occupancies If structural alterations are not required,
Unless herwlse exempted, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits shall
be requl d for the above exempted Items, Exemption from the permit requirements of
this code hall not be deemed to grant authorization f r any work to be done In any
manner In iolatlon of the provisions of this code or any ther laws or ordinances of this
Jurisdiction,
(2) Add a new p ragraph to the end of Section 303(d), P mlts, Expiration; as follows:
For the purpo e of this section, the building or wor authorized shall be considered
suspended or bandoned If less than ten perce t (10%) of the total cost of all
construction, ere ion, alteration, enlargement, rep If, demolition, or other work covered
by the permit is co pleted In anyone hundred el ty (180) day period after the Issuance
of the permit, or If building or work Is not c pleted within twenty four (24) months
of the date on which e permit was Issued,
(3) Add a new subsection Q to Section 303 as ollows:
(Q Demolition perm s. The appllcan for any demolition permit shall state on the
application the prop sed disposal ans for all demolition materials. No demolition
permit shall be Issu until two ) days after an application has been properly
flied,
(4) Delete subsection (b) and (c) of S tlon 304 and Insert In lieu thereof the following:
(b) Permit fees, The fee for a permit shall be as set forth In the building permit fee
schedule as established resolution of the City Council, The determination of
value or valuation und a of the provisions of this code shall be made by the
Building Olficla!. Th valu to be used In computing the building permit and
building plan review ees shall e the total value of all construction work for which
the permit Is Issu d, as well all finish work, painting, roofing, site grading,
paving, landsc ng, elevators, e extinguishing systems and other permanent
equipment.
(c) Plan review f es, When a plan or ther data are required to be submitted by
Section 30 ) and the value of the p posed bUilding or work exceeds $15,000,
a plan rell w fee shall be paid before the permit may be Issued, Should the
project b abandoned and the permit no 'ssued after the plan review has been
started, he plan review fee shall stili be d and payable, The plan review fee
shall as set forth by resolution of City Cou cll.
(5) Delete ex ptlon to Section 308(a) and Insert In lieu h@!eof the following:
Exceptio s: Group M Occupancies, "
(6) Delete able 3.A. ..
(7) Delete he definition of "family" In Section 407 and insert In lieu thereof the following:
Fernl Is an Individual or two (2) or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption
or p cement by governmental or social service agency, occupying a dwelling unit as a
sin Ie housekeeping organization, A family may also be two (2), and not more than two
( ,persons not related by blood, marriage or adoption,
(8) elete the definition of "guest" in Section 408 and Insert In lieu thereof the following:
ueat. An Individual who shares a dwelling in a non.permanent status for not more than
thirty (30) days,
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(9) Delete the definition of 'hotel' In Section 409 and Insert In lieu thereof the following:
Hotel, A residential building licensed by the stale and occupied and used principally as
a place lodging for guests,
(10) Add a eflnltlon of "rooming house' to Section 419 as follows:
Rooml House. Any dwelling or that part of any dwelling containing one (1) or more
rooming nits In which space Is let by the owner or operator to four (4) or more roomers.
(11) Add a defi ltion of 'truss" to Section 421 as follows: /
Truss, Trus Is a pre'bullt and engineered component employing one or mo;ltrlangles
In Its construe ~on or an approved design and engineering compOne;?tth !'functions as
a structural su~~ort member,
(12) Amend the first s~ntence of Section 1201, Division I, to read as folio s:
Division 1: Hotel9~apartment houses, congregate residences (e ch accommodating
more than ten (10) ersons) and rooming houses.
(13) Delete Section 1205 Q) and Insert In lieu thereof the followln .
(b) Light. Guest ro~ms and habitable rooms within a elllng unit or congregate
residence shall be ~rovlded with natural light by me s of exterior glazed openings
with an area notles~ than 1/8 the floor area of su rooms with a minimum of eight
(8) square feet. ,.\
Exceptions: 1. Kitchens ~ed not be provided h natural light by means of exterior
glazed op nlngs provided eq , alent artificial tight Is provided.
2, In baseme ts of Division occupancies constructed prior to the
adoption oft e 1988 edltl of the Uniform Building Code, natural light
need not be s~pplled t abltable rooms provided equivalent artlllclal
light Is supplled\and Ii escape or rescue window or door Is provided
In the basement 1 ccordance with Section 1204. All sleeping rooms
shall contain an cape or rescue window or door within the room.
(14) Delete the first paragraph of Se on 205(c) and Insert In lieu thereof the following:
(c) Ventilation: Guest r's a II habitable rooms within a dwelling unit or
congregate residence, all be prOV{ded with natural ventilation by means of open
exterior Openlng~' ill n an area of not less than 1/25th of the 1I00r area of such
room, and In no tless than four\4) square feel.
(15) Add two exceptions) ectlon 1207(a) as follows:
Exceptions: 1;(;1 Ing height In Division 3, occupancies may be reduced to six (6)
et eight (8) inches for mal~ support beams and mechanical duels
provided the prescribed ceiling height Is maintained In at least two.
thirds (2/3) of the room, ~
2, The ceiling height In basement of Division 3 occupancies which
existed prior to the adoption of the ~88 Uniform Building Code may
be reduced to seven (7) feet.
(16) Add a pa graph to the end of Section 1213 as follows:
Every r om containing a baller, central heating plant, or water heater In Division 1
Occup, ncles, shall be equipped with a I(eyed door lock which shalf be keyed differently
frpm II other locks within any dwelling unit.
Ad a new section 1718 as follows: '~
nlmum ceiling height. Section 1718. All occupancies shall hav~ a minimum ceiling
eight of not/ess than seven (7) feet measured to the lowest pro)ectl n from the ceiling
except as otherwise required by this code,
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(18) Add a new section 1719 as follows:
Trusses. Section 1719. Preparation, fabrication and Installation of trusses shall conform
to the accepted engineering pracllces and to the requirements of this code. No
alterat~s, Including but not limited to cutting, splicing or removal of webs, gussets or
cords, hall be made without approval of a certified engineer and the Building Official.
Any alte ations not acceptable to the Building Official shall be corrected or the altered
member moved and replaced with an acceptable method of c6nstrucllon,
(19) Delete Ex ptlon 1 to Secllon 2907(b) and Insert In lieu there9{ the following:
Exceptions 1. A one.story wood or metal frame bullslrng not used for human
occupancy and not over one thousand/(l ,000) square feet In floor
area need not be provided with the~o ling extending below the frost
line. Such buildings shall be provld with a fooling meellng all other
requirements of Table 29.A anld ex ending at least tweive (12) inches
elow grade,
(20) Delete Table 29-A l~d Insert In lieu thereof the lowing:
TABLE NO, 29.A - FOUND, TIONS FOR STUD BEARIN WALLS - MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
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1
2
3
Minimum Depth of
Footings Below
inimum Natural Surtace of
Width Thickness Ground or Finish
Fooling of Footing Grade (Whichever
(Inches) (Inches) Is Lower) (Inches)
16 8 42
16 8 42
18 8 42
Number of
Floors
Supported
By the
Foundatlonl~ Concrete
8
8
8
'Foundallons ay support a roof In a nlon to the sllpulated number of Iloors,
2Footlngs suppo ng on~ roof spans of not re than sixteen (16) feet may be eight (8)
Inches 'e,
3Trench 1 ollngs supporting one floor and a of may be twelve (12) Inches wide.
(21) Delete Cha er 31 In Its enllrety and Insert lieu thereof the following:
Accesslb I ty. Section 3101. Buildings or p rtlons of buildings shall be accessible to
persons Ith disabilities as required by 6 .16 Division Vii of the Iowa State
Admlnl rallve Code,
(22) Ame~ the second paragraph of Secllon 3205 to ad as follows:
The clear openings shall not be less than twenty (2 I by thirty (30) Inches.
(23) A,f'?bnd the second unnumbered paragraph of Secllo",,~306(1) to read as follows:
T~e top of the handrail shall be placed not less than th~rty (30) Inches nor more than
hlrty.elght (38) Inches above the nosing of treads and landings. Handrails shall be
conllnuous the full length of the stairs and, except for private stairways, alleast one
handrail shall extend In the dlrecllon of the stair run not less than twelve (12) inches
beyond the top riser, nor less than twelve (12) Inches beyond the bottom riser, Ends
shall be returned or shall termlnale In newel posts or safety returns,
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Ordinance No,
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(24) Add an exception to Section 3306(0) as follows: \
Exception: Within Individual dwelling units the head room clearance may be six (6) feet
six (6)lnches. ~
(25) Amend the se nd paragraph of Section 3309(c) to read as follows:
All exit doors I an exit enclosure shall be protected by a fire asse bly having a fire-
protection ratln of not less than one hour where one-hour shaft construction is
permitted, and e and one. half (11'2) hours where two-~ou (shaft construction is
required. Doors hall be maintained self-closing or shall e automatic closing by
actuation of a smo detector as provided for In Section 43J (h) of this code. In Group
R Division 1 apartm t houses, rooming houses, and congregate residences, doors shall
be automatic closln by actuation of a smoke detecJor. The maximum transmitted
temperature end point hall not exceed 450' above ,ambient temperature at the and of
30 minutes of the fire e posure specified In U.SZC Standard No. 43-2.
(26) Amend Section 3802{h) read as follows:
(h) Group R, Division 1 0 cupancles. An aut9 atic sprinkler system shall be Installed
throughout apartment hou s three (3) or fJ)6re stories in height or containing sixteen
(16) or more dwelling units, I congregate Jesldences three (3) or more stories In height
or having an occupant load 0 fifty (50) 9( more, and In hotels three (3) or more stories
In height or containing twenty 0) or fJ16re guest rooms. Residential or quick-response
standard sprinklers shall be us I'}:the dwelling units and guest room portions of the
building, For the purposes of this ctlon, area separation walls shall not define separate
buildings In buildings constructe Iter May 10, 1989,
(27) Amend Section 4506(b) to re as 1I0ws:
(b) Construction. Awnl9 s sha I have non-combustible frames but may have
combustible coverln95. Every a\'lnlng shall be collapsible or retractable, When
collapsed, retracte(l or folded against the face of the supporting building, the
awning shall not (ock a required It.
Exceptions: 1. A fixed awning not ore than twenty (20) feet In length may be
erected over a doo ay or window of a building.
2, A fixed awning may b of any length when constructed of a flame
retardant material and eslgned to allow ground ladder access to
the upper level window, The flame retardance of the material
shall be Integral to the f ric, not a temporary treatment. Ladder
access shall comply with PA recommendations, as determined
by the Fire Chief,
(28) Deletion: The following sections of the Uniform ulldlng Code are not adopted:
1, Se9 on 305(e), 2 and 4,
2, T 61e No, 3-A.
(29) US Appendix Chapter 70 Is amended to read as fol QWs:
Chapter 70. EXCAVATION AND GR~DING
Sec. 7 01. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter Is to prol~ct and safeguard human life,
proper~ and the public welfare, and to protect environmentally 'sensitive areas by regulating
gradln on private and public property, ~
t .7002. Scope, This chapter sets forth rules and regulations to qontrol excavation, grading
an earthwork construction, Including fills and embankments; establishes the administrative proce.
d re for Issuance of permits; and provides for approval of plans and specifications, and Inspection
of grading, '
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See, 7003. PermIts RequIred. No person, owner or responsible party shall do any grading
In any areas described below without first having obtained a grading permit from the building
official:
1. Property on which the natural terrain Is at a horizontal to vertlc1l)\SIOpe of 3.5 horizontal
to 1 vertic 1;-0( steeper, and having a vertical height excee~ng nine feet within a
horizontal distance of 27 feet; or
2, Flood haz d areas subject to Chapler 11, Article II, 'Floodpl' Management', of the
Iowa City C de of Ordinances; or
3, Wetlands as efined In the Code of Federal Regulations (33 FR 328.3) and regulated
by the U,S. A Y Corps of Engineers; or
4. Property traver ~d by a dralnageway as shown In blue the U.S. Geological Survey
quadrangle map~ 1983, as updated,
Sec. 7004. Hazards. W/1enever the building official deter es that any existing excavation,
embankment, or fill on privata property has become a hazard 0 human life, endangers property,
or adversely affects the safety; use or stability of a public w y or drainage channel, the property
owner or the responsible party for the affected property sh I, after receipt of notice In writing from
the building official, take corrective action to repair or eV Inate such excavation, fill or embank.
ment so as to eliminate the hazard~r dangerous con Wons. Said repairs or corrective actions
shall In all respects be In compliance ~Ith the require ents of this code, and shall be satisfactorily
completed within the time period speci(led In the n Ice. Failure to take corrective actions shall
be deemed a public offense, and shall 6~ subject 0 the remedies set out In applicable state and
local law for abatement of nuisances, \
Sec.7005, Definitions, For purposes 0 t chapter the definitions listed herein shall be con.
strued as specified In this section. Terms ot defined shall have the meanings customarily
assigned them in Webster's New Collegia ctlonary.
APPROVAL shall mean that, In the pinlo of the building official, the proposed work or
completed work conforms to this chapl .
AS.GRADED Is the exlent of surf e condition on completion of grading,
BEDROCK Is In.place solid rock
BENCH Is a relatively level ste excavated Into e h material on which fill Is to be placed,
BORROW Is earth material a ulred from an off.slt location for use In grading a site,
CIVIL ENGINEER Is a profe slonal engineer register In the State of Iowa to practice In the
field of civil engineering,
CIVIL ENGINEERING Is} e application of the knowledg of the forces of nature, principles of
mechanics and the propert~s of materials to the evaluation, d Ign and construction of civil works
for the beneficial uses ~f umanklnd.
COMPACTION Is th denslflcatlon of a fill by mechanical m ~s.
CUT Is the portion land surface or area from which earth ma rial has been removed or will
be removed by exca atlon,
EARTH MATER L Is any rock, nalural soli or fill and/or any co blnatlon thereof,
ENGINEERED RADING Is grading of 5,000 cubic yards or more,'and requires the services
of a civil engine r to prepare and certify a grading plan, and to Insp~c~t and certify the work
completed conf rms with the plan,
EROSION)I the wearing away of earth material as a result of the mov ~ent of wind, water,
Ice or an~c fnblnatlon thereof, '
EXCAV ION Is the mechanical removal of earth material.
FILL I a deposit of earth malerlal placed by mechanical, man.made or other artificial means,
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Ordinance No,
Page 7
GEOLOGIC FACTORS are factors pertaining to rocks or rock formations as they might affect
the stability of slopes.
GRADE Is the vertical elevation of the ground surface.
Existing Grade Is the grade prior to grading.
Rough Grade Is the stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.
Finished Grade Is the final grade of the site which conforms to the approved plan.
GRADING Is any excavatl g-o(filllng or a combination thereof, and Includes compaction.
OWNER Is any person, en ily, business, firm, corporation, organization, association, partner-
ship, venture or any comblnat on thereof, and any agent, fiduciary or representative thereof, who
owns or purports to own land or real property located within Iowa City.~,
PERSON shall Include Indlldual persons, user, operator, responsible party, entity, business,
firm, corporation, association, artnershlp, venture, or any combination hereof, and any agent,
representative or fiduciary ther of.
PROPERTY Is land and rea property, whether public or private, ,and Includes any and all
Interests In real property whethe legal, equitable, or any combination thereof.
PUBLIC WAY means any area edicated to the publlc,lncluding out not limited to street right-
of-way, sidewalks, alleys, and utllit easements, ;
REGULAR GRADING Is grading volvlng less than 5,000 cubic yards which does not require
the services of a civil engineer. .
RESPONSIBLE PARTY means a y user, possessor, operator, permittee, or person who
operates, possesses, occupies, man es or owns real/property located wllhln Iowa City,
Responsible party shall also Include th person respon~ible for assuring compliance with this
chapter If nolice of violation or noncomp 'ance has bzn Issued to that person by the building
official.
SITE Is any lot or parcel of land, or contlg ous cOlJllnatlon thereof under the same ownership,
where grading Is performed or permitted, L
SLOPE Is an Inclined ground surface the Inclination of which Is expressed as a ratio of
horizontal distance to vertical distance.
SOIL Is naturally occurring superficial deg sits overlaying bed rock.
STEEP SLOPE Is property on which t e natu'ral terrain Is at a slope of 3,5 horizontal to 1
vertical, or steeper, '
TERRACE Is a relatively level step constructed'.ln the face of a graded slope surface for
drainage and maintenance purposes, ,
Sec. 7006. Grading Permit Rt Irements. \
(a) Permits Required, As pr Ided In Section 7003 of this code, no person shall do any
grading without first obtaining a adlng permit from the building official. A separate permit shall
be required for each site, and ay cover both excavations and fills,
(b) Application. The pro slons of Sec, 302(a) of this code are applicable to grading, and
shall state an estimate of th cubic yards of earth material to be graded.
(c) Plans and speclf~c Ions, Each application for a grading permit, whether regular grading
or engineered grading, s II be accompanied by two sets of plans and specifications, Supporting
data consisting of a ~o s report and geology report shall be submitted when required by the
building official, When nglneered grading Is required pursuant to subsection (d) below, the plans
and specifications s II be prepared and signed by a civil engineer,
(d) Grading 0 Ignatlon. All grading of 5,000 cubic yards o~more shall be performed In
accordance with t e approved grading plan prepared by a civil engln~er, and shall be designated
as "engineered r ding.' Grading Involving less than 5,000 cubic ~ards shall be designated
'regular gradln unless the permlllee, with the approval of the building official, chooses to have
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Page 8
the grading performed as 'engineered grading' or the building official requires "engineered
grading' pursuant to Sec. 7006(g),
(e) Information on Plans and Speclllcatlons. Plans shall be drawn to scale upon stable,
reproducible media, and shall be of sufficient Clarity to Indicate the nat re and extent of the work
proposed. The plans shall also show, In detail, that the grading a ivities will conform to the
provisions 01 this code and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and egulations. The first sheet
of each set 01 plans sh I give the location of the proposed gradln work, the name and address
of the person by whom t ey were prepared, and the name and dress of the property owner or
of the responsible party I r the property,
The plans shall Include the lollowlng Information:
1. General vicinity 01 he proposed site,
2. Names and addres es of adjacent property own rs,
3, Property limits and a curate topographic map of e existing terrain with contour Intervals
of five leet or less an details of area dralna .
4, Limiting dimensions, e ~vations or finish co tours to be achieved by the grading, and
proposed drainage charlpels and related nstructlon,
5. Detailed plans 01 all surfclre and subsurf ce drainage devices Including walls, cribbing,
dams and other protective\devlces to e constructed with, or as part 01, the proposed
grading work, together with ~ map sh ing the drainage areas and the estimated runoff
lor a 5.year return and a 1 d .year eturn frequency storm 01 the area served by any
drains to be Installed,
6. Location of any buildings or str ures on the property where the proposed grading Is to
be performed, together with buildings or structures on property adjacent to the
proposed grading to the exte t t buildings or structures are within fifteen feet of the
proposed grading. In addlti n, 10 tion of any property which may be substantially and
materially affected by the oposed adlng shall also be noted and shown on the plans,
7. Existing trees that are to e retained ursuant to Sec. 7011,1 01 this code,
Specifications shall contain I ormation cov Ing construction and material requirements.
(Q Engineered Grading R ulrements. Fo nglneered grading, It shall be the responsibility
of the civil engineer to de gn the grading pia using sound engineering practices and to
Incorporate all recommend Ions Irom the solis an geology reports Into the grading plan, The
civlf engineer shall also b responsible lor the profes onallnspection during the grading process
and final approval of the grading when completed, TH responsibility Includes, but need not be
limited to, Inspection d approval as to the establish ent of line, grade and drainage 01 the
grading area, The cl I engineer Is the coordinating age between any responsible party doing
the actual grading rk and the building official. Further, e civil engineer shall be responsible
for the preparatio of revised plans, and the submission of an updated grading plan upon
completion of th work, Finally, the civil engineer shall s bmlt a statement of compliance
pursuant to See 7015(a),
Solis and g ology reports shall be required as specified be w In subsections (h) and (I).
During gradln ,the civil engineer shall submit all necessary repo s, compaction data and solis
and geology ecommendatlons to the building official.
The clvlf engineer's Inspection and approval concerning the ad ~acy and preparation of
ground fo the proposed grading operations shall Include, but nee not be limited to, the
adequac of the ground to receive fill; testing for required compaction; st plllty of all finish slopes;
the desl n of butiress fills, where required; the stability of cut slopes wlt~{espect to geological
matter ,and the need for subdralns or other groundwater drainage devices,
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Ordinance No,
Page 9
The building official shall review the grading project at the various stages of the work In order
to monitor compliance with the approved plans,
(g) Regular Grading Requirements. The building official may require Inspection and testing
by an approved testing agency of any proposed or approve~' grading operation. Any such
required Inspection or testing shall be carried out at the bulldin official's direction.
When the buil Ing official has cause to believe that georo c factors may be Involved in the
proposed or regu r grading activities, the grading operatl n will be required to conform to
"engineered gradln "requirements as defined in this chap! r.
(h) Solis Report. The soils report required by Subljectlon (c) shall Include data regarding
the nature, dlstrlbutlo and strength of existing soils; conclusions and recommendations for
grading procedures; an design criteria for corrective 1l)6asures including butlress fills, If needed.
Recommendations in uded In the report shall be Incorporated In the grading plans or
specifications, unless the IIdlng official has walze all or some of the recommendations or has
approved revised recomme atlons.
(I) Geology Report. The ology report requ red by Subsection (c) shall Include an adequate
description of the geology of th site, and cOnC)USlons and recommendations regarding the effect
of geologic conditions on the pr posed development.
Recommendations Included Irt~he rep6rt shall be Incorporated In the grading plans or
specllicatlons, unless the building 0 iCla/1 h~s waived all or some of the recommendations or has
approved revised recommendations.
OJ Issuance. The provisions of S ~tlon 303 of this code are applicable to grading perm lis,
The building oHlclal may require thay he., grading operations and project designs be modified If
delays occur which result from wea~er-generated problems not considered at the time the permll
was Issued. I., \
(k) Fees, All fees associate? with each }~qulred permit shall be paid to the City as set forth
In the Schedule of Fees, Section 32.1-55 of the Iowa Clly Code of Ordinances.
Sec. 7007. Reserved. ! \
Sec. 7008. Assurance 10f Performance. W~en the grading permit Is Issued, the building
oHlclal may require cash e,scrow, certificate of deposit, performance bonds or a lelter 01 credit In
order to assure that the/work will be completed Ih accordance with the approved plans and
specifications, and to assure all hazardous condll~ps are eliminated, Said cash escrows,
certificate of deposit, performance bonds or letters of cr~dit shall be In an amount equal to 110%
of the grading proJ~l. but In no event shall the reqUlre~mount exceed $10,000 or the cash
equivalent.
it Is the Intent 9 this section that cash escrow, certifica e of deposit, performance bonds or
letters of credit shall not be deemed as a substitution for per qrmance of the work, but that such
Instruments sh II stand solely as security to assure COmPllariswlth the grading requirements
herein,
Sec, 7009 Cuts.
(a) Gen ral. Unless otherwise recommended In the appro ed engineering, solis and/or
geology re rt, cuts shall conform to the provisions of this sectlon'1
(b) 510 e. The slope of cut surfaces shall be no steeper than I safe for the Intended use,
and shall be no steeper than the ratio of 3.5 horizontal to 1 vert yal unless the owner or
responsl Ie party furnishes a solis or a geology report, or both, stating tll t an Investigation of the
site rev als that a cui at a steeper slope will nonetheless be stable and III not creale a hazard
to life r to property,
(c) ralnage and Terracing. Drainage and terracing shall be provided a required by Section
701 of this code.
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Ordinance No.
Page 10
Sec. 7010. Fills.
(a) General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved engineering, soils and/or
geology report, fills shall conform to the provisions of this section,
(b) Fill Location. Fill slopes shall not be constructed on natural siopes steeper than 3,5
I
horizontal to 1 vertical, except where the civil engineer determines tho/slope to be stable.
(c) Preparation of und, The ground surface shall be preparep to receive fill by removing
vegetation, noncomplyl g fill, topsoil and other unsuitable materials, ~nd by scarifying the surface
to provide a bond with e new fill. Where slopes are steeper tta five (5) horizontal to one (1)
vertical and the height 0 the fill location Is greater than ten (10) f et, the ground surface shall be
prepared by benching In material which Is deemed compel nt for such benching by a civil
engineer. The bench und the toe of fill on a slope steeperlthan five (5) horizontal to one (1)
vertical shall be at least ten 10) feet wide, The area beyoryd the toe of fill shall either be sloped
for sheet overflow, or a pave drain provided. When fill)s to be placed over a cut, the bench
under the toe of fill shall be at ast ten (10) feet wide. ytowever, In such event, the cut shall be
approved by a civil engineer as suitable foundation lor fill,
(d) Fill Malerlal, Vegetative aterlals shall not b9 permitted In fills except in the top one foot
of fill. Except as permilled by the uildlng official, 90 rock or similar irreducible material shall be
placed within two (2) feet of the fl Ished grade; Where an excessive amount of irreducible
material Is found, it may be piaced I the fill i";horizontallayers not exceeding four (4) feet In
thickness, Each layer shall be levele and~oothed by choking the surface of the irreducible
material with soli or fine fragments of r k,
(e) Compaction. All fills on slopes 0 (6) horizontal to one (I) vertical or steeper shall be
compacted to a minimum of 90 percent oJ aximum density as determined by U.B,C, Standard
No. 70.1 or equivalent ASTM standards/in, lace density shall be determined in accordance with
U.B.C, Standard No. 70.2, 70.3, 70-4 pr 70. or equivalent ASTM standards.
(Q Slope. The slope of fill surlac9s shall b no steeper than is safe for the intended use. Fill
slopes shall be no steeper than 3,5}iorizontal to 1 vertical unless the owner or responsible party
furnishes a solis or a geology reP9rt, or both, statl g that the site has been Investigated and that
based on their best informatlon,?,1owledge and b ief, fill at a slope steeper than 3.5 horizontal
to 1 vertical will nonetheless b9 stable and will not eate a hazard to life or property,
(g) Drainage & Terracing! Drainage and terracln shall be provided for all fills, Areas above
fill slopes and all terrace surfaces shall be graded an finished, as required by Section 7012,
Sec. 7011. Setbacks. /
(a) General. Cut andJiII slopes shall be set back from ite boundaries In accordance with this
section, Setback dimensions shall be horizontal distance measured perpendicular to the site
boundary, Setback di~enslons shall be as shown In Flgur No. 70-1,
(b) Top of Cut Slope. The top of cut slope shall be ma no cioser to a site boundary line
than one fifth of the/vertical height of cut, with a minimum of 0 (2) feet and a maximum of ten
(10) feet. The setback may need to be Increased for any requl d Interceptor drains,
,
(c) Toe of FII)'Slope, The toe of fill slope shall be made no loser to the site boundary line
than one.half th9 height of the slope, with a minimum of two (2) f et and a maximum of twenty
(20) feet. w~re a fill slope Is to be located near the site bound and the adjacent off-site
property Is al eady developed, special precautions may be requlr If, In the opinion of the
building offlc I, such precautions are necessary to protect the adJolnl g property from damage,
These prec utions may Include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. A dltional setbacks,
2, rovlslon for relalnlng waifs or slough walls. \
3, Mechanical or chemical treatment of the fill slope surface to minimize erosion,
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Ordinance No.
Page 11
4, Provisions for the rol of surface walers.
(d) Modification of SI pe Location. The building official may ap~rove alternate setbacks.
The building official may al 0 require an Investigation and recommend lion by a civil engineer,
the grading has complied wit the Intent of this section.
Sec. 7011.1 Tree Protect n, Individual trees that are to be retal ed shall be protected from
Injury during any grading work n the following manner:
1) A barricade shall be er cted along the drip line of th%eet ned trees,
2) Grading equipment may ot be parked or stored within th drip line of any such retained
trees. \
3) No soil or rubble shall be added to or removed from thin the drip line of said trees,
4) Utility trenching techniques shall not be used under re alned trees, nor within the drip line
of retained trees. \
Sec. 7012. Drainage and Terracing.
(a) General. Unless otherwise indicated on the appro ed grading plan, drainage facilities and
terracing shall conform to the provisions 'of this sectlo or cut or fill slopes steeper than six (6)
horizontal to one (1) vertical. \
(b) Terrace. In order to control surface,drainag and debris, terraces alleast six (6) feet In
width shall be established at not more than 30-f ot vertlcallntervais on all cut or fill slopes,
Where only one terrace Is required, it shall be tablished at mid height. For cut or fill slopes
greater than 60 feet and up to 120 feet In vertlb~ height, one terrace at approximately mldhelght
shall be twelve (12) feet In width, Terrace wid fls and spacing for cut and fill slopes greater than
120 feet In height shall be designed by the Ivil'englneer and approved by the building official.
Suitable access shall be provided to perm propel cleaning and maintenance.
Swales or ditches on terraces shall ha a mlnilT\um gradient of three percent (3%), and must
be stabilized with an approved erosion- ree channe(. Said swales or ditches shall also have a
minimum depth at the deepest point 0 one (1) foot and a minimum width of five (5) feet unless
a civil engineer can demonstrate a s aller channells\~pproprlate.
The capacity of a swale or dlle shall be adequate 10 convey the 100-year return frequency
storm for the tributary area. \
(c) Subsurface Drainage. ut and fill slopes shall ~~ provided with subsurface drainage,
where such drainage Is reaso bly necessary to achieve s ability.
(d) Disposal. All dralnag acilltles shall be designed to rry walers to the nearest approved
drainage way. Erosion In th area of discharge shall be preve ted by Installing non"eroslve down
drains or other devices, a needed.
Building pads shall ha a drainage gradient of two percent ( ~) from the building pad toward
approved drainage facll es, unless waived by the building offlcia\
EXCEPTION: The gradient from the building pad may be one percent (1%) If all of the
following conditions 1st throughout the permit area: ~
1. Proposed f' s are no greater than ten (10) feet In maximum epth.
2, Proposed Inlsh cuts or fill slope faces have a vertical height, 0 greater than ten (10)
feet. \
3, Exlstln slope faces which have a slope face steeper than ten (10) horizontally to one
(1)~ Ically shall have a vertical height no greater than ten (10) feet.
(e) Inter eptor Drains. Interceptor drains shall be Installed along the top of all cut slopes
where the J Ibutary drainage has been channelized, and there Is a potential for continued erosion,
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Ordinance No,
Page 12
Sec.7013. ErosIon Control. .
/
(a) Slopes. The faces of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained In accordance
with Design Standards for Public Works Improvements, Section X .Eroslon ana Sedimentation
Control. /
(b) Other Devices. Che k dams, cribbing, rlprap or other devices or methods shall be
employed where reasonably ecessary to control erosion and provide safety.
Sec.7014. Grading Insp ctlon. I
(a) General. All grading operations for which a permit Is required shall be subject to
Inspection by the building ollie I. When required by the building olllclal, special Inspection of
grading operations and special esting shall be performed In accbrdance with the provisions of
Section 306 of this code. /
Notification of Noncompllan e. If, In the course of fulfl)lIng their responsibilities under this
chapter, the civil engineer or the t sting agency finds that Jhe grading work Is not being done In
conformance with this chapter 0 does not conform Ito the approved grading plans, the
, discrepancies shall be reported to th owner of the property. If the discrepancies continue, the
Civil Engineer or the testing agency Is sponslble for ;6porting said discrepancies to the building
olllclal.
(b) Transfer of Responsibility for proval, If the civil engineer or the testing agency of
record Is changed during the course of a gr~ding work, the work shall be stopped until the
replacement has agreed to accept responsl IIIty for the work, and the work is within the compe.
tence of the testing agency and/or the civil e ' Ineer.
Sec.7015. Completion of Work. /
(a) Final Reports, Upon completion olthe r ugh grading work and at final completion of the
I
grading work, the building official shall require th following reports, drawings and supplements
thereto to be filed In the building olllcla('s olllce:
,
1, Certification from the civil engineer that the radlng work was completed in substantial
compliance with the final approveq/gradlng plan, as dated or revised,
2. An updated or revised gr,lng plan prepared b the civil engineer, showing all revisions
approved by the building official This plan shalllnclud ground surface elevations, lot drainage
patterns, and locations and e~ atlons of all surface and ubsurface drainage facilities Installed.
(b) Notification of COl1)pletlon. The owner, respo ible party or person requesting the
permit shall notify the bulldrng official when the grading op ration Is ready for final Inspection.
Final approval shall not lie given until all required reports ave been submitted and until all
grading work has been 96mpleted In accordance with the final proved grading plans, Including
Installation of all draln~ge facilities and their protective devices a~all erosion-control measures.
Upon granting final a proval, the building ofllclal shall authorize th release of any escrows to the
depositor and Issue certlllcate of compliance,
Sec. 7016. En orcement. In all cases, the ultimate responslb I~y for compliance with this
chapter shall res Ith the owner of the property, notwithstanding th participation of any other
responsible pa ,Any violation of this chapter or rules promulgated ~ereto shall constitute a
nuisance and/9 an environmental Infraction under both state and local )~. In such event, the
City may, at I s option, elect to carry out anyone or all of the following emedles: prosecute
environment I Infractions under Section 1, Article II of the Iowa City Code f Ordinances; deny
or revoke y permit under this chapter; abate the nuisance In accordance Ilh Section 24 of
Article VI f the Iowa City Code of Ordinances; and/or abate the nUlsance~der state law,
Chapter 7, Iowa Code (1989),
SECTIO III. REPEALER, All ordinances and parts of ordinances In conflict with he provisions
of this rdlnance are hereby repealed,
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Ordinance No,
Page 13
SECTION IV, SEVERABILI . If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be
adjudged to be Invalid or unc stitutlonal, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the
I
Ordinance as a whole or any se tlon, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitu.
tional. /
SECTION V. EFFECTIVE DA , This Ordinance shall beil effect after Its final passage,
approval and publication as requl ed by law.
Passed and approved this day of 1993,
I
I
,
, I
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
\hOadmln'd1S,U,onI
,
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