Sec. 32A-15. Design standards for fills.
A. Finishing. All material placed as fill shall be bladed and graded to a uniform surface and shall not be left on the site as irregular dumping.
B. Compaction. All fills shall be compacted to not less than the minimum densities as listed below and as determined in accordance with the then current version of ASTM D698. Field density shall be determined by the then current version of ASTM D1556.
|
Location |
Minimum Density* |
|---|---|
|
Under structures |
95% |
|
Parking lots, driveways, roads |
95% |
|
Yards, open space |
75% |
*Unless a modification is indicated based on a geotechnical report.
Fills which will support the foundations of structures shall be constructed under the supervision of an Arizona registered engineer.
C. Exceptions to fill design standards.
1. Fills in non-hillside areas that are made for yard purposes and which do not exceed 18 inches in depth need not be compacted.
2. Sanitary landfills and refuse disposal areas which are regulated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
When foundations of structures are not to be supported by the fill, the Planning and Development Director may allow deviations from the above requirements if he finds that their strict enforcement is unduly restrictive for the intended purpose.
D. Preparation of ground. The area over which fills are to be made shall be cleared of all trash, trees, stumps, timber, debris, or other material not suitable as a foundation for a fill. Where slopes are one vertical to five horizontal or steeper, scarifying or benching into sound bedrock or other competent material shall be required. Five feet of the lowermost bench shall be exposed beyond the toe of the fill. The bench shall be sloped for sheet overflow or a paved drain shall be provided.
E. Fill slope. No fill shall be made which creates an exposed surface steeper in slope than one vertical to one and one-half horizontal.
The Planning and Development Director may require that the fill be constructed with an exposed surface flatter than one vertical to one and one-half horizontal if this is necessary for stability and safety. Slopes of fills which are not compacted in accordance with Section 32A-15.B may not exceed one vertical to two horizontal.
F. Fill material. The material to be used for fill shall be approved by the supervising engineer prior to use when the fill is to support the foundations of structures. No organic material shall be permitted in fills. When the fill material includes large rocky or hard lumps, such as hardpan or cemented gravel which cannot be broken readily, such material shall be well distributed throughout the fill. Sufficient earth or other fine material shall be placed around the larger material as it is deposited so as to fill the interstices and produce a dense, compact fill. However, such material shall not be placed within two feet of the finished grade of the fill.
G. Slopes to receive fill. Fills toeing out on natural slopes which are steeper than one vertical to two horizontal will not be permitted.
H. Dredged and fill materials are allowed only as a temporary measure during emergency operations such as water line breaks, replacing sewer and water valves, or other repairs as necessary to the City’s operation. No dredge or fill shall be stockpiled in the street, right-of-way, easement or stormwater conveyance for more than five working days, or less if rain is forecast, without proper best management practices in place to protect the storm drain system. (Ord. No. G-1177, § 1; Ord. No. G-1192, § 1; Ord. No. G-1203, § 3; Ord. No. G-3313, § 1; Ord. No. G-3994, § 1, 1997; Ord. No. G-5590, § 1, 2011; Ord. No. G-5707, 2012; Ord. No. G-7116, § 1, 2023)