Chapter 15.80
HILLSIDE SITE DEVELOPMENT
Sections:
15.80.010 What this chapter does.
15.80.020 Certified report required.
15.80.030 Certified report specifications.
15.80.010 What this chapter does.
This chapter sets forth standards for development of hillsides – including the protection of slopes, water courses and sensitive lands. It further establishes requirements for proposed improvements on land on, or adjoining, certain slopes, water courses and sensitive lands. [Ord. O-08-2026 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. O-03-2010 § 1 (Exh. A § 16.010)].
15.80.020 Certified report required.
A. The presence of sloped land 25 percent or greater on a property shall not prohibit property development; however, no excavation, grading, fill, or other alteration shall be permitted on any portion of that property where the existing, natural slope of that portion equals or exceeds 25 percent.
B. Further, no person or party shall grade, level, or improve in any manner any property which is crossed by a natural or manmade watercourse or existing utility before such person has first submitted to the city engineer a certified report from a qualified civil engineer licensed in the state of Utah analyzing potential impacts on the watercourse(s) by disturbance of the property.
C. Building within 200 feet of the edges of slopes 25 percent or more shall require a slope stability report to address the potential for landslides. Such report must be reviewed and approved by the city engineer or his/her designee before construction may commence. Each lot within a hillside development shall indicate on a site/plot plan a proposed building envelope and driveway location and demarcate any slope at or exceeding 25 percent on any plot or site plan provided to the city for the purpose of obtaining a building or grading permit.
D. The property width shall be such that the maximum allowable 12 percent driveway gradient shall not be exceeded, unless a steeper driveway is approved by both the city engineer or his/her representative and the building department based on specific design considerations such as a southern-facing or heated driveway.
E. The city or any public utility entity shall be exempt from the prohibitions in subsections A and B of this section in the course of performing their duties. [Ord. O-08-2026 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. O-03-2010 § 1 (Exh. A § 16.020)].
15.80.030 Certified report specifications.
The certified report required in EMMC 15.80.020 shall contain at least the following information:
A. A plat of the property showing the following:
1. Contour lines at five-foot intervals. Existing contours shall be indicated by dashed lines and proposed contours by solid lines;
2. Elevations at the corners of foundations and at the corners of driveways; and
3. Show or reference any existing or potential ground water flows which may cause unstable conditions such as debris flow or slides.
B. Assessment of the civil engineer as to the seriousness of any development problems such as erosion, drainage, flood and geologic hazards or unstable soil conditions and their potential effect on adjoining properties and on any proposed improvements to be built on the property.
C. The proposed method for handling the problems noted in subsection B of this section. [Ord. O-03-2010 § 1 (Exh. A § 16.030)].
15.80.040 Liability.
The purpose of this chapter is to point out to the owner and/or developer of any property that the liability and responsibility of such persons to protect the integrity of their own and adjoining properties, existing watercourses and utilities lies upon the person doing the development and upon the owner of the property being developed and not upon the city or any other person. The city may require additional information on any development or building which may have potential hazards. [Ord. O-03-2010 § 1 (Exh. A § 16.040)].
15.80.050 Retaining walls.
Retaining walls shall not be built over or adjacent to city utilities. Retaining walls shall not be allowed in public utility easements unless the city engineer determines the retaining wall will not unreasonably interfere with the public utility easement and approves the retaining wall in writing. [Ord. O-08-2020 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. O-03-2010 § 1 (Exh. A § 16.050)].