Soils Report Requirement Guidelines

The following general guidelines are provided to help the applicant determine whether their project will require submittal of a Soils (or Geotechnical) Report. Soils Reports are typically not required for non-habitable structures. If one or more of the following items is answered in the affirmative, the proposed project will probably need a Soils Report. The County Geologist or a Registered Civil Engineer on the Planning Department staff will make the final determination.

Is the proposed building site or access roadway located on property having any undocumented or un-permitted grading (such as log landings, logging roads or prior, unauthorized grading)?
Is the building site or access roadway located on a proposed fill pad or embankment deeper than two feet, or will the building foundation be supported by fill?
Does the project propose any grading activities with heights of cuts or fills over three feet or retaining walls over three feet located within five feet (horizontally) of a property line? Or would the project have any potential to cause instability or other grading-related, impacts to adjacent property?
Is the proposed grading or development activity located in an area with an average slope gradient of 30% or more?
Does the project involve significant cut and/or fill slopes (i.e. five feet or greater in height) related to slope stabilization, landslide repairs, streambank or coastal protection structures, or retaining walls of five feet or greater height?
Is there evidence of high groundwater, or spring activity in the vicinity of the proposed grading?
Is any portion of the proposed area of development within a FEMA floodplain or floodway?
For projects adjacent to any (existing or proposed) slopes exceeding 33.3% slope and six feet in height, are any proposed structures located within the setback area as depicted on Figure1, attached hereto.