8.30.060 Issuance, expiration and renewal.

         A.     The application and required accompanying information filed by the applicant for a grading permit shall be reviewed by the City Engineer, Building Official, and/or other City departments to verify compliance with the requirements of this Code, the grading manual, and any other applicable City requirements, laws, ordinances or water quality requirements. If the City Engineer finds that the work described in the application for a grading permit and submitted plans, specifications, and other data filed do not conform to the requirements of this chapter, the grading manual, and other pertinent laws, ordinances, City requirements or water quality requirements, and the required fees have been paid, a grading permit shall be denied.

         B.      In issuing any grading permits under this chapter, the City Engineer may impose any conditions as may be reasonable and necessary to protect the public welfare, including, but not limited to, conditions to prevent danger to public or private property, to prevent hazards to life or property, to minimize adverse effects on the environment, to ensure proper cleanup operations, to ensure compliance with and to recover costs for enforcement of water quality requirements, and to recover costs for construction hours enforcement.

         C.      The issuance of a grading permit shall constitute authorization to do only that work which is described or illustrated on the application for the grading permit, or on the grading plans and specifications approved by the City.

         D.     Grading permits issued under the provisions of this section shall not relieve the applicant and/or owner of the responsibility for securing other permits or licenses that may be required from other departments or divisions of the City or other government entities.

         E.      Every permit issued shall be valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance.

         F.      Every permit issued shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of such permit or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

         G.     The time limitations and provisions of Section 303, Permits Issuance, of the Uniform Building Code as amended are applicable to grading permits, except as stated in subsections (G)(1) and (2) of this section:

         1.      A permit issued hereunder shall expire upon a change of ownership if the grading work thereon, for which said permit was issued, has not been completed, and a new permit shall be required for the completion of the work. If the time limitations of subsections A and B of this section are not applicable and if no changes have been made to the plans and specifications last submitted to the City Engineer, no charge shall be made for the issuance of the new permit under such circumstances. If, however, changes have been made to the plans and specifications last submitted to the City Engineer, fees based on the valuation of the additional work, additional yardage and necessary plan checking as provided for in subarticle 6 of the grading manual shall be charged to the permit applicant.

         2.      The City Engineer may extend the one hundred eighty (180) day expiration time limit on permits not to exceed two (2) successive periods of one hundred eighty (180) days each upon written request by the applicant showing that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented action from being taken.

         H.     The City Engineer may require that grading operations and project designs be modified if delays occur which incur weather-related problems not considered at the time the permit was issued, and further subject to the provisions of Section 8.30.062, Denial of permit, of this Grading Code.

         I.       If the permittee presents satisfactory reasons for failure to continue or begin the work within the period specified in subsection B of this section, the City Engineer, upon receiving a written request, may grant an extension of time as specified in subsection (C)(2) of this section without additional fees, provided that:

         1.      No changes have been made in the original plans and specifications for such work;

         2.      Suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one (1) year;

         3.      A re-endorsement of the compliance of the plans with the applicable regulations by the City Engineer shall be obtained. Such request for extensions must be submitted no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the date on which said permit would otherwise expire. If the permittee fails to request an extension within the time provided, the City Engineer may renew the grading permit for a fee of one-half (1/2) the amount required for the original permit provided no changes have been made in the original plans and specifications for such work.

         J.       If the permittee is unable to complete the work by the end of a two (2) year period, the City Engineer may renew the grading permit on an annual basis for a fee of one-half (1/2) the amount required for the original permit for such work, provided no changes have been made in the original plans and specifications for such work. (Ord. 246 § 19, 2013; Ord. 107 § 1, 1999)