Article 16 — Building and Property Maintenance Regulations, Chapter 16-3 — EXCAVATION AND GRADING
Purposes
Soil erosion and sediment deposition onto lands and into waters in the city are occurring as a result of land clearing, excavation, filling, grading, and construction activities. Such erosion and sediment deposition results in pollution of county waters and damage to domestic agricultural, recreational, fish and wildlife, and other resource uses. This chapter establishes uniform rules and regulations for excavation, filling, and grading activities for all sites with the city and provides for administration and enforcement of such rules and regulations.
Reference to Regulations
The rules and regulations for excavation, filling, and grading activities shall in addition to this chapter include Article 8, Article 11, and Article 12. Excavation, filling and grading activities are regulated under the Georgia NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit and Municipal Stormwater Permit programs. Design guidelines are found in the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, latest edition. Construction requirements for controlling erosion and sedimentation impacts to stormwater are found in the latest edition of the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia, published by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
Debris from Construction Sites
A permit issued by the city for excavation, grading, or land development, as required by Chapter 11-6 of this Unified Land Development Code, shall require the owner of the property or his representative to prevent the scattering of earth, rock, vegetation and other debris upon public streets, drainage systems, or private property is restricted or disrupted from normal use or operation or in any way damaged, made unsightly or unsafe by the collection or deposit of mud earth, rock, vegetation or other debris originating at or dislodged by clearing, grading, or construction activities at the construction site.
Daily Clearing of Debris; Performance Bond
Land development permits shall further require the property owner or his representative to completely clear, unclog and clean any public street or drainage system so affected by clearing, grading or construction activities at the end of each work day and at such other times as so required by the public works department. The property owner or his representative shall be held responsible for violations of this section for a period of not less than two years after the permit is issued; or, after two years, until such time as the property is returned to a stable condition as determined by the public works department. A certificate of completion shall be issued to the applicant after the official makes the determination. Each applicant will provide a performance bond, letter of escrow, irrevocable letter of credit, or other satisfactory security on a form approved by the city manager to ensure that authorized work is accomplished in accordance with the approved permits. The amount is to be determined by the public works department.
Geologic Report
Unique sites including extreme cuts/fills, rock blasting, faulting, unstable soils, or other similar geotechnical problems may be required to submit a geologic report certified by a professional engineer registered in the State of Georgia. Such report shall address monitoring during construction phrase, if required, and shall comply with the latest edition of the "Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia," published by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, as amended.
License Required
Contractors or builders conducting excavation, grading, and filling projects in the city that are not exempted under the provisions of the Unified Land Development Code shall comply with Chapter 6-2 of the Gainesville Code of Ordinances.