Rules for digging and filling land to protect neighbors and public areas

(a) Any person performing or causing to be performed an excavation or fill shall, at that person’s own expense, provide the necessary means to prevent the movement of earth of the adjoining properties, to protect the improvements thereon, and to maintain the existing natural grade of adjoining properties. (b) Any person performing or causing to be performed, any excavation or fill shall be responsible for the maintenance or restoration of street pavements, sidewalks, curbs, and improvements of public utilities which may be affected. The maintenance or restoration of street pavements, sidewalks and curbs shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of the County and the maintenance and restoration of improvements of public utilities shall be in conformity with the standards of the public utilities companies affected. (c) Any person depositing or causing to be deposited, any silt or other debris in ditches, water courses, drainage facilities, and public roadways, shall remove such silt or other debris. In case such person shall fail, neglect, or refuse to comply with the provisions of this section within forty-eight hours after written notice, served upon the person, either by mail or by personal service, the director of public works may proceed to remove the silt and other debris or to take any other action the director deems appropriate. The costs incurred for any action taken by the director of public works shall be paid by such person. (d) At any stage of the grading, grubbing or stockpiling work, if the director of public works finds that further work as authorized by an existing permit is likely to create soil erosion problems or to endanger any life, limb, or property, the director may require safety precautions, which may include but shall not be limited to the construction of more gradual slopes, the construction of additional silting or sediment basins, drainage facilities or benches, the removal of rocks, boulders, debris, and other dangerous objects which, if dislodged, are likely to cause injury or damage, the construction of fences or other suitable protective barriers, the planting and sodding of slopes and bare areas and the performance of additional soil compaction. All planted or sodded areas shall be maintained. An irrigation system or watering facilities may be required by the director of public works. (e) At any stage of the grading, grubbing, or stockpiling operations, if the director of public works finds that further work as authorized by an existing permit is likely to create dust problems which may jeopardize health, property, or the public welfare, the director of public works may require additional dust control precautions and, if these additional precautions are not effective in controlling dust, may stop all operations. These additional dust control measures may include such items as sprinkling water, applying mulch treated with bituminous material, or applying hydro mulch.