HomeMy WebLinkAbout141-96 - Res. Adoption of the Mason County Grading Program Ordinance RESOLUTION NO. 141 - 96
ADOPTION OF THE MASON COUNTY
GRADING PROGRAM ORDINANCE
IN THE MATTER OF:
Adopting the Mason County Grading Program Ordinance to estab-
lish standard procedures of Mason County departments in the
review of proposed grading in the county;
WHEREAS, the Mason County Board of Commissioners adopted the
Uniform Building Code Chapter 70 standards in September 1990
as an intermediate measure while county departments developed
an ordinance that included grading and clearing activities; and
WHEREAS, Mason County received grant funding in 1991 to accom-
plish a goal of the Oakland Bay Watershed Action Plan to prepare
a county-wide grading ordinance; and
WHEREAS, a Grading Advisory Committee was appointed by the
County Commissioners and was closely involved in the preparation
of a Grading Program Ordinance; public workshops were held by
county departments to hear public comments about the grading
program in the county; and
WHEREAS,the Mason County .Board of Commissioners held a public
hearing on December 23, 1996 to receive public comments and
finalize the text of the Mason County Grading Program Ordinance;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Mason County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the Mason
County Grading Program Ordinance which establishes the standard
procedures of Mason County departments in the review of grading
proposals in the county; the permit review process shall apply
to 'proposals filed on or after the date of this Resolution.
DATED this day of j C4&yj 1996 .
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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ATTEST: g`
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Mary; Cady C f RPERSON
Ierk of the Board v
PTROVED AS TO FORM: William 0. Hunter,
COMMISSIONER P
Prosecuting Attorney °
Mary L. Faughe ' er,
C a CLERK OF THE BOARD COMMISSIONER
PLANNING
GENERAL SERVICES
PUBLIC WORKS
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CHAPTER 33
EXCAVATION AND GRADING
Purpose
Sec. 3304. The purpose of this code is to safeguard life, limb, property, and the public
welfare by regulating grading on private property within Mason County.
Scope
Sec. 3305. This code sets forth rules and regulations to control excavation, grading and
earthwork construction, including fills and embankments; establishes the administrative
procedure for issuance of permits; provides for approval of plans and inspection of grading
construction; and provide coordination of the efforts of the Department of Community
Development,,Building Department, and Department of Public Works in permitting development
in the county.
Permits Required
Sec. 3306.1 Permits Required. Except as specified in Subsection (.2) of this section,
no person shall do any grading without first having obtained a grading permit from the Official.
A grading permit shall be required for a project involving excavation or fill that totals 200 or
more cubic yards of graded material and is not exempted below. Grading activities not requiring
a grading permit shall comply with the standards listed in Sec. 3312 through 3316.
3306.2 Exempted Work. A grading permit is not required for the following
1. When approved by the Official, grading in an isolated, self-contained area if there is
no danger or hazard to adjacent private / public property or other improvements.
2. An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining
wall or other structure 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 after the completion of such structure.
3. An excavation which (a) is less than 2 feet in depth, or (b) which does not create a
cut slope greater than 5 feet in height and steeper than 1 1/2 horizontal to 1 vertical.
4. A fill less than 1 foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than
5 horizontal to I vertical, or less than 3 feet in depth, not intended to support
structures, which does not exceed 200 cubic yards on any one lot and does not obstruct
a drainage course.
5. Cemetery graves.
6. Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations.
7. Excavations for wells or tunnels or utilities.
8. Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing, 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.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 1996-REVISED)
9. Exploratory excavations under the direction of a soil engineer or engineering
geologist.
10. Grading on public rights-of-way done by or under the supervision or construction
control of a public agency that assumes full responsibility for the work.
11. Grading necessary for agricultural operations, unless it causes hazards to property
or public road, or obstructs a watercourse or drainage.
12. Maintenance of existing fire breaks and roads.
13. Performance of emergency work necessary to protect life and property when urgent
necessity arises. The Official shall be notified promptly and the person performing the
work shall apply for a permit within 10 calendar days.
14. Grading associated with a logging operation under a current forest practice permit.
Exemption from the permit requirements of this Chapter shall not be deemed to grant
authorization for any other work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this
Chapter or any other laws or ordinances of Mason County.
Hazards
Sec.3307.Whenever the 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 Official, shall within the period
specified therein repair or eliminate such excavation or embankment so as to eliminate the
hazard and be in conformance with the requirements of this code.
Definitions
Sec. 3308. For the purposes of this Chapter the definitions listed hereunder shall be
construed as specified in this section.
APPROVAL shall mean the proposed work or completed work conforms to this chapter
in the opinion of the Official.
AS-GRADED is the extent of surface conditions on completion of grading.
BEDROCK is in-place solid rock.
BENCH is relatively level step excavated into earth or rock material as part of the
placement of stable fill.
BORROW is earth material acquired from another location for use in grading on a site.
CIVIL ENGINEER is a professional engineer registered in the State of Washington to
practice in the field of civil engineering.
CIVIL ENGINEERING is the application of knowledge of the forces of nature,
principles of mechanics and the properties of materials to the evaluation, design and construction
of civil works.
COMPACTION is the densification of a fill by mechanical means.
CRITICAL AREAS are areas where unstable soils, steep slopes, streams, wetlands,
ponds, freshwater and saltwater shorelines, and floodplains are present.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 19% -REVISED) 2
EARTH MATERIAL is any rock, natural soil or fill or any combination thereof.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST is a geologist experienced in engineering geology in the
State of Washington.
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 as a result of the 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.
GEOTECH114ICAL ENGINEER. See "soils engineer."
GRADE is the vertical location 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.
Finish Grade is the final grade of the site which 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.
OFFICIAL is the Director of the Mason County Department of General Services, or his
qualified representative, or agent.
PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION is 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.
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 expressed as a ratio of
horizontal distance to vertical distance.
SOIL is naturally occurring superficial deposits overlying bedrock.
SOILS ENGINEER (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER) is a civil engineer experienced
in the practice of soils engineering (geotechnical engineering) in the State of Washington.
SOILS ENGINEERING (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING) is 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 or testing of the construction thereof.
TERRACE is a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for
drainage and maintenance purposes.
Grading Permit Requirements
Sec. 3309.1 Permits Required. Except as exempted in Section 3306 of this code, no person
shall do any grading without first obtaining a grading permit from the Official. A separate
permit shall be obtained for each site, and may cover both excavations and fills.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 1996-REVISED) 3
3309.2 Application. The Mason County Grading Permit shall be used as part of the
information submitted on a proposed grading project and shall include on this form the estimated
quantities of work involved and other required information.
3309.3 Grading Permit Application and Review Process:
1) Permit Application Process.
a) The following forms must be submitted to the Official at the time of application:
1. Grading Permit application completed and signed by the property owner or agent.
2. Grading Plan, if applicable to the project, showing the required information as stated
in Sec. 3309 (.4, .5, and .6) or (7). If a proposed site involves 5000 cu. yds. or more
of grading or is located in or adjacent to a landslide hazard critical area in Mason
County, a grading plan must be prepared and stamped by a civil engineer; other geotech-
nical investigations, soil engineering report, or engineering geotechnical report, and
erosion control plan may be required based upon the evaluation of the proposal by the
Official.
3. Environmental Checklist shall be submitted when (a) more than 500 cu. yds. of
excavation and/or fill is involved, or (b) there is a portion of shoreline or critical area
on the property to be graded.
b)If an Environmental Checklist is not required, the Official shall forward the application
and materials to the Department(s) of Community Development and Public Works who shall
review the submitted application and plans in ten (10) work days and notify the Official about
their recommendations and necessary conditions to include for the permit. If the ten day review
period ends with no action by Department of Community Development or Public Works staff,
the project proposal shall be granted a grading permit.
c) If an Environmental Checklist is required, the applicant shall also submit this form to
the Official, and the Department of Community Development shall complete the State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, including referral to other agencies. Within 5 days
following SEPA public review of the Determination of Non-Significance proposals, the
Department of Community Development shall determine necessary conditions for permit
approval. Proposals of a complicated nature will require added public review, but the applicant
will be notified within 5 days of the completion of SEPA public review.
d) After the grading permit application review and site inspection, the Official will
determine the permit conditions (including those from the Department(s) of Community
Development and Public Works) and the amount of plan review and grading permit fees. The
grading permit can then be issued.
2) Other Permit Responsibilities of the Applicant:
1) Permission of other agencies and owners: The applicant shall be responsible for written
verification of easement or grading authorization on property not owned by permittee.
2) Location of property lines: Applicant shall be responsible for having property lines
located or resolving disputes with property lines, easement or, title.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 19%-REVISED) 4
3) Permit Review:
1) A project *involving excavation and fill must comply with the locational and operational
standards set forth in the Mason County Comprehensive Plan, Subdivision Ordinance, Shoreline
Master Program, Building Code, and other applicable Mason County plans and ordinance in
effect.
2) When a proposal requires SEPA environmental review or is part of a shoreline substantial
development permit, conditional permit, or variance, no grading permit shall be issued until the
review process and/or other permit approval has been completed.
3) The elements of the permit shall be limited to the work on an approved grading plan.
4) Conditions may be added to the permit which are necessary for public safety and welfare,
avoidance of hazards and nuisances, and protection of critical areas. These conditions shall be
within the scope of the project proposed.
3309.4 Grading Designation. Grading in excess of 5,000 cubic yards 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 shall be
designated "regular grading" unless the Official requires the grading to be performed as
engineered grading.
3309.5 Engineered Grading Requirements. Application for a permit for engineered grading
shall be accompanied by two sets of plans and specifications, which contain information covering
construction and material requirements and are prepared and signed by a civil engineer when
required by the Official. Supporting data for the proposal, as required by the Official, may
consist of a soils engineering'report and engineering geology report..
Plans shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or material and shall be of sufficient
clarity to indicate 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 names and address of the
owner and the person of whom they were prepared.
The plans shall include the following information:
1. General vicinity of 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. Erosion control measures to adequately prevent impacts to adjoining properties or
bodies of water.
6. 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 which are
within 15 feet of the property or which may be affected by the proposed grading operations.
7. Construction time schedule.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 1996 -REVISED) 5
8. Type of site vegetation.
9. Known/suspected soil or geologic hazards.
10. Cross-sections of existing and graded areas, showing contour intervals at five-foot
vertical elevations, especially at the maximum cut and fill.
3309.6 Soils Engineering Report. The soils engineering report required by Subsection (d)
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. Recommendations included in the report and approved by the Official shall
be incorporated in the grading plans or specifications.
3309.7 Engineering Geology Report.The engineering geology report required by Subsection
(d) ,shall include an adequate description of the geology of the site, conclusions and
recommendations regarding the effect of geologic conditions and hazards (such as, earthquake,
subsidence, or liquefaction) 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.
Recommendations included in the report and approved by the Official shall be incorporated in
the grading plans or specifications.
3309.8 Regular Grading Requirements. Each application for a permit for regular grading
shall be accompanied by a plan in sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work.
The plans shall give 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 activity.
2. Limiting dimensions and depth of cut and fill.
3. Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is to be
performed and the location of any buildings or structures of adjacent land owners which are
within 15 feet of the property or which may be affected by the proposed grading operation.
4. Erosion control measures to adequately prevent impacts to adjoining properties or
bodies of water.
5. Critical areas present on the property and distances of these features from the grading
activities. Such activities in critical areas shall comply with the requirements established in the
Mason County Interim Resource Ordinance; the proposal may require a geologic assessment or
geologic report.
3309.9 Expedited Permits. An Expedited Permit process will be available to those persons
who have been certified by Mason County. The Grading Ordinance Certification will establish
a person's comprehension of the Mason County Grading Ordinance and other applicable
regulations, and a willingness to work within the regulations set forth in the Mason County
Grading Ordinance. The Expedited Permit shall not exempt the individual from complying with
other Mason County ordinance standards and procedures.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 1996-REVISED) 6
This process will be limited to grading activities of less than 400 cubic yards on any one
site in a one year period. An Expedited Permit shall be submitted for each site location where
activities requiring a grading permit will take place. The individual shall contact the Department
of General Services to log in the site location of the Expedited Permit grading work. The permit
written information shall be submitted to the Official within five work days of the start of work
at the project location. Those individuals authorized under the Grading Ordinance Certification
who apply for the Expedited Permit shall submit the following information asp of their
grading plans:
1. General vicinity of the proposed activity.
2. Limiting dimensions and depth of cut and flu.
3. Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is to be
performed and the location of any buildings or structures of adjacent land owners which are
within 15 feet of the property or which may be affected by the proposed grading operation.
4. The amount of materials involved and the location of the borrow sites for fill and the
stockpile sites for excavation.
5. Erosion control measures to adequately prevent impacts to adjoining properties or
bodies of water.
6. Critical areas present on the property and distances of these features from the grading
activities. Such activities in critical areas shall comply with the requirements established in the
Mason County Interim Resource Ordinance and shall be excluded from the Expedited Permit
process.
3309.10 Issuance. The Official may approve or approve with modifications a grading permit
application submitted under this Chapter. A permit issued will include applicable conditions
established during the review of the permit application.
The 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.
Following the adoption of this Chapter, Mason County departments shall not accept,
process, or approve any application for subdivision or any other development permit for property
on which a documented violation of this Chapter has occurred, until the violation is resolved by
restoration or erosion control and/or payment of penalties imposed for the violation.
Grading Permit Fees
Sec. 3310.1 General. Fees shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of this
section or shall be as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the Mason County Board of
Commissioners.
3310.2 Plan Review Fees. When a plan or other data are required to be submitted, a plan
review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for review. Said plan
review fee shall be as set forth in the adopted fee schedule. Separate plan review fees shall
apply to retaining walls or major drainage structures as required in Section 3315. For
excavation and fill on the same site, the fee shall be based on the volume of excavation or fill,
whichever is greater.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 19%-REVISED) 7
3310.3 Grading Permit Fees. A fee for each grading permit shall be paid to the Official
as set forth in the adopted fee schedule. Separate permits and fees shall apply to retaining walls
or major drainage structures as required in Section 3315. There shall be no separate charge for
standard terrace drains and similar facilities.
Bonds
Sec. 3311. The Official shall require bonds in such form and amounts as may be deemed
necessary to assure that the work, if not completed in accordance with the approved plans and
specifications, will be corrected to eliminate hazardous conditions.
In lieu of a surety bond, the applicant may file a cash bond or instrument of credit
acceptable the Official in an amount equal to that which would be required in the surety bond.
Cuts
Sec. 3312.1 General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved soils engineering or
engineering geology report, cuts shall conform to the provisions of this section.
In the absence of an approved soils engineering report, these provisions may be waived
for minor cuts not intended to support structures.
3312.2 Slope. The slope of cut surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended use
and shall be no steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical unless the permittee furnishes a soils
engineering or an engineering geology report, or both, stating that the site has been investigated
and giving an opinion that a cut at a steeper slope will be stable and not create a hazard to public
or private property.
Fills
Sec.3313.1 General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved soils engineering
report, fills shall conform to the provisions of this section. In the absence of an approved soils
engineering report, these provisions may be waived for minor fills not intended to support
structures.
3313.2 Preparation of Ground. Fill slopes shall not be constructed on natural slopes
steeper than 2:1. The ground surface shall be prepared to receive fill by removing vegetation,
noncomplying fill, topsoil and other unsuitable materials; by scarifying to provide a bond with
the new fill; and, where slopes are steeper than 5:1 and the height is greater than 5 feet, by
benching into sound bedrock or other competent material as determined by the soils engineer.
The bench under the toe of a fill on a slope steeper than 5:1 shall be at least 10 feet wide. The
area beyond the toe of fill shall be sloped for sheet overflow or provided with a sub-drain.
When fill is to be placed over a cut, the bench under the toe of fill shall be at least 10 feet wide,
but the cut shall be made before placing the fill and accepted by the soils engineer or engineering
geologist, or both, as a suitable foundation for fill.
3313.3 Fill Material. Organic material shall not be permitted in fills. Except as permitted
by the Official, no rock or similar irreducible material with a maximum dimension greater than
12 inches shall be buried or placed in fills.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 1996-REVISED) 8
EXCEPTION: The Official may permit placement of larger rock when the soils
engineer properly devises a method of placement and approves the fill stability. The
following conditions shall also apply:
A. Prior to issuance of the grading permit, potential rock disposal areas shall be
delineated on the grading plan.
B. Rock sizes greater than 12 inches in maximum dimension shall be 10 feet or more
below grade, measured vertically.
C. Rocks shall be placed so as to assure filling of all voids with well-graded soil.
3313.4 Compaction. All fills shall be compacted minimum of 90 percent of maximum
density as determined by U.B.C. Standard No. 70-1. In-place density shall be determined in
accordance with U.B.C. Standard No. 70-2, 70-3, 70-4, or 70-5.
3313.5 Slope. The slope of fill surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended use.
Fill slopes shall be no steeper than 2 horizontal to I vertical.
Setbacks
Sec. 3314.1 General. Cut and fill slopes shall be set back from site boundaries in
accordance with this section. Setback dimensions shall be horizontal distances measured
perpendicular to the site boundary. Setback dimensions shall be as shown in Figure No. 70-1.
3314.2 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 and a maximum of 10
feet. The setback may need to be increased for any required interceptor drains. The top of the
cut slope shall be finished as a rounded or bald head slope.
3314.3 Toe of FRI 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 and a maximum of 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 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:
1. Additional setbacks.
2. Provision for retaining or slough walls.
3. Mechanical or chemical treatment of the fill slope surface to minimize erosion.
4. Provisions for the control of surface waters.
3314.4 Modification of Slope Location. The Official may approve alternate setbacks. The
Official may require an investigation and recommendation by a qualified engineer or engineering
geologist to demonstrate that the intent of this section has been satisfied.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 1996 -REVISED) 9
Drainage and Terracing
Sec. 3315.1 General. Unless otherwise indicated on the approved grading plan, drainage
facilities and terracing shall conform to the provisions of this section for cut or fill slopes steeper
than 3 horizontal to 1 vertical.
3315.2 Terrace. Terraces at least 6 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; except when
only one terrace is required, it shall be at midheight. For cut or fill slopes greater than 60 feet
and up to 120 feet in vertical height, one terrace at approximately midheight shall be 12 feet in
width. Terrace widths and spacing for cut and fill slopes greater than 120 feet in height shall be
designed by the civil engineer and approved by the Official. Suitable access shall be provided
to permit proper cleaning and maintenance.
Swales or ditches on terraces shall have a (minimum) gradient of 5 percent and must be
paved with reinforced concrete not less than 3 inches in thickness or with an approved equal
surface material. They shall have a minimum depth at the deepest point of 1 foot and a
minimum surface 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. An analysis by a licensed
engineer may be required to determine pipe or swale size, as determined by the Official.
3315.3 Subsurface Drainage. Cut and fill slopes shall be provided with subsurface drainage
as necessary for stability.
3315.4 Disposal. In compliance with the Mason County practices regarding stormwater
management, all drainage facilities shall be designed to carry waters to the nearest practicable
drainage way approved by the Official or other appropriate jurisdiction as a safe place to deposit
such waters. Erosion of ground in the area of discharge shall be prevented by installation of
nonerosive downdrains or other devices.
Building pads shall have a drainage gradient of 2 percent toward approved drainage
facilities, unless waived by the Official.
EXCEPTION: The gradient from the building pad may be 1 percent if all of the
following conditions exist throughout the permit area:
a. No proposed fills are greater than 10 feet in maximum depth.
b. No proposed finish cut or fill slope faces have a vertical height in excess of 10 feet.
c. No existing slope faces, which have a slope face steeper than 10 horizontal to 1
vertical, have a vertical height in excess of 10 feet.
3315.5 Interceptor Drains. Interceptor drains with grass or rock riprap may 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 measured horizontally. They shall have a minimum
depth of 12 inches and a minimum width of 30 inches measured horizontally across the drain.
The design of the drain shall be approved by the Official.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 19%-REVISED) 10
Erosion Control
Sec.3316.1 Slopes. The faces of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained to
control against 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.
3316.2 Other Devices. Where necessary, check dams, cribbing, riprap or other devices or
methods shall be employed to control erosion and provide safety.
Grading Inspection
Sec. 3317.1 General. Grading operations for which a Permit is required shall be subject to
inspection by the Official. Professional inspection of grading operations shall be provided by the
civil engineer, soils engineer, engineering geologist, or testing laboratory retained to provide
such services in accordance with Section 3317.5 for engineered grading and as required by the
Official for regular grading.
3317.2 Civil Engineer. The civil engineer shall provide professional inspection within such
engineer's area of technical specialty, which shall consist of observation and review as to the
establishment of line, grade and surface drainage of the development area. If revised plans are
required during the course of the work they shall be prepared by the civil engineer.
3317.3 Soils Engineer. The soils engineer shall 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 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. Revised recommendations relating to conditions differing from the
approved soils engineering and engineering geology reports shall be submitted to the permittee,
the Official and the civil engineer.
3317.4 Engineering Geologist. The engineering geologist shall provide professional
inspection within such engineering geologist's area of technical specialty, which shall include
professional inspection of the bedrock excavation to determine if conditions encountered are in
conformance with the approved report. Revised recommendations are relating to conditions
differing from the approved engineering geology report shall be submitted to the soils engineer.
3317.5 Permittee. The permittee 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. The permittee shall engage consultants, if required, to provide professional
inspections on a timely basis and shall act as a coordinator between the consultants, the
contractor and the Official. In the event of changed conditions, the permittee shall be
responsible for informing the Official of such change and shall provide revised plans for approval.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 19% -REVISED)
3317.6 Official. The Official shall inspect the project at the various stages of work requiring
approval to determine that adequate control is being exercised by the professional consultants.
3317.7 Notification of Noncompliance. If, in the course of fulfilling their respective duties
under this Chapter, the civil engineer, the soils engineer, or the engineering geologist finds that
the work is not being done in conformance with this Chapter or the approved grading plans, the
discrepancies shall be reported immediately in writing to the permittee and to the Official.
3317.8 Transfer of Responsibility. If the civil engineer, the soils engineer, or the
engineering geologist of record is changed during grading, the work shall be stopped until the
replacement has agreed in writing to accept their responsibility within the area of technical
competence for approval upon completion of the work. It shall be the duty of the permittee to
notify the Official in writing of such change prior to the recommencement of such grading.
Completion of Work
Sec. 3318.1 Final Reports. 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.
1. An as-built grading plan prepared by the civil engineer retained to provide such services in
accordance with Section 3317.5 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. The civil engineer shall
state that to the best of their knowledge the work within their area of responsibility was done
in accordance with the final approved grading plan and their recommendations.
2. A report prepared by the soils engineer retained to provide such services in accordance with
Section 3317.3, 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.
3. A report prepared by the engineering geologist retained to provide such services in.
accordance with Section 3317.5, 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.
3318.2 Notification of Completion. The permittee shall notify the 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
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 1996-REVISED) 12
have been completed in accordance with the final approved grading plan, and the required
reports have been submitted.
Enforcement and Penalties
Sec. 3319.11 Enforcement. The Official is charged with enforcement of the provisions of this
Chapter. When enforcement requires referral to a Court of competent jurisdiction, the Director
shall refer the matter to the County Prosecutor to adjudicate the case on behalf of the County.
It shall be unlawful for any person to grade, fill, excavate or cause the same to be done in
violation of any of the provisions of this code. Any such violation is declared to be public
nuisance under RCW 9.66.010, and shall be corrected by any reasonable and lawful means as
provided in this Section.
The Prosecuting Attorney shall bring such injunction, declaratory or other actions as necessary
to insure that no uses are undertaken within Mason County that are in conflict with the
provisions of this code, and to otherwise enforce the provisions of this code.
3319.2 General Penalties. In addition to incurring civil liability under 3319.1 of this code,
any person found to have willfully engaged in activities in Mason County in violation of the
provisions of this code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine of not
less than $25, nor more than $1000, as issued by the Director, or by imprisonment in the
County Jail for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment; PROVIDED:
that the fine for the third and all subsequent violations in any five year period shall not be less
than $500 nor more than $10,000.
Severability
Sec. 3320. If any provision of this code or its application to any person, legal entity, or
circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of the code, or the application of the provision to
other persons, legal entities, or circumstances, shall not be affected.
MASON COUNTY GRADING PERMIT STANDARDS (DECEMBER 1996-REVISED) 13