The recently adopted 2007 California Building Code now requires the preparation of a Soils Investigation report for all new building construction. The report must be prepared by a California-Registered Engineer.

The report shall provide complete evaluations of the foundation conditions of the site including design criteria related to the nature and extent of foundation materials, groundwater conditions, liquefaction potential, settlement potential and slope stability. No building or grading permit will be issued in Mariposa County until the soils investigation report has been submitted. For more information contact the Building Department at (209) 966-3934.

Section 1802.2 requires a soils investigation when required by Sections 1802.2.1 through 1802.2.7

An exception allows this requirement to be waived by the Building Official based on judgment when the report is required by Sections 1802.2.1 through 1802.2.6.

The exception does not allow this requirement to be waived when the report is required by Section 1802.2.7.

Section 1802.2.7 requires a soils investigation without exception where the structure is determined to be in Seismic Design Category D, E, or F, in accordance with Section 1613, the soils investigation requirements for Seismic Design Category C, given in Section 1802.2.6, shall be met, in addition to the following. The investigation shall include:

To obtain a Building permit for a structure the following items must be submitted along with the current requirements, (plans, site maps, calculations, etc.).

A soils report must be obtained that has been performed by a California registered Design Professional (Engineer). This report will determine whether the building site is classified as a “C” or “D” building zone.

If the report classifies the zone as “C” the Design Professional will determine if any of the six categories in Section 1802A.2 require further testing for the type of structure being built.

If the report classifies the zone as “D” a Professional Engineer will determine how and what must be done to construct the house pad. This will also specify whether or not an on site inspector must be present during this work. The engineer will also determine, after reviewing house plans, whether or not the plans are required to be stamped by an engineer.

Per Section 1803.3 the new code requires a minimum 5% slope away from the building for ten feet as opposed to the prior requirement of 2% for five feet.

Before the building pad is approved, the footprint of the structure must be either chalked out or string lines set in order to determine whether or not the pad is large enough to meet all set back requirements.

A grading plot plan must be submitted with the permit application. A sample of the acceptable format is attached.

Any fill in the pad area is subject to existing Mariposa County Grading Ordinance and therefore will require compaction tests by a California State licensed Engineer.