HomeMy WebLinkAboutSloping Sites - Geotechnical Requirements - Bulletin 2012-02Sloping Sites -Geotechnical Requirements
Bulletin 2012-02
July 04, 2012
District of Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 Tel: 604-467-7311 Fax: 604-467-7461
permits@mapleridge.ca www.mapleridge.ca
Purpose
Development on or adjacent to sloping sites may be adversely affected by,or adversely affect, slope and
site stability, sub-surface soil conditions, ground water and surface drainage. Legislation governing
requirements for these sites include:
Section 56 of the Community Charter.If land has potential for landslides, a Qualified Professional
must report the land may be used safely for the use intended and that a registered covenant
restricting the use of the land may be required.
The British Columbia Building Code.The Geotechnical Letters of Assurance ensure that an
application complies with the British Columbia Building Code (BCBC) and there will be professional
field review during construction.
In addition, APEGBC's "Guidelines for Legislative Landside Assessment for Proposed Residential
Developments in BC" (the Guidelines) were developed to provide direction for Qualified Professionals who
must assess life risk tolerance and assure the land is safe for the intended use.
These requirements apply to all development where a building permit is required under the District of
Maple Ridge Building Bylaw.
Requirements
A Geotechnical Letter of Assurance will be required if:
the development is on a slope greater than 10%
the development is within 10 meters of the top of a slope greater than 10%
the development is within 5 meters of the base of a slope greater than 10%
A Geotechnical Letter of Assurance and a Geotechnical Report will be required if:
the development is on or within 5 meters of a slope greater than 20%
the development is within 10 meters of a slope greater than 35%**
**Development is prohibited from occurring on slopes greater than 25% by the District’s Zoning Bylaw.
A building permit application will only be accepted with the following:
Geotechnical Letter of Assurance or Geotechnical report as required above
Proof of Liability Insurance
Two complete sets of sealed architectural plans
If a geotechnical covenant already exists on title, a signed and sealed letter from the geotechnical
engineer stating they have read the covenant.
The building permit will not be issued until the District's Building Official has reviewed and accepted the
reports by the Qualified Professional. In addition, if a covenant is required the building permit will not be
issued until the owner of the lands covenants with the District to use the land only in the manner
determined and certified by the Qualified Professional. The covenant must be registered under section 219
of the Land Title Act.
Sloping Sites -Geotechnical Requirements
Bulletin 2012-02
July 04, 2012
District of Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 Tel: 604-467-7311 Fax: 604-467-7461
permits@mapleridge.ca www.mapleridge.ca
Requirements for Geotechnical Letters of Assurance
Letters of Assurance are to be submitted in the form provided in the BCBC Current Edition
As a minimum requirement,Geotechnical engineers must indicate on Schedule B responsibility as
follows:
o Geotechnical -Temporary:
7.1 Excavation ALL PROJECTS
7.2 Shoring ALL PROJECTS
7.3 Underpinning IF APPLICABLE
o Geotechnical -Permanent
8.1 Bearing capacity of soil ALL PROJECTS
8.2 Geotechnical aspects of deep foundations IF APPLICABLE
8.3 Compaction of Engineered fill IF APPLICABLE
8.4 Structural consideration of soil ALL PROJECTS
8.5 Backfill IF APPLICABLE
8.6 Permanent dewatering IF APPLICABLE
8.7 Permanent underpinning IF APPLICABLE
o Plumbing
4.2 Site and foundation drainage systems IF APPLICABLE
The Letter of Assurance must indicate it is for the entire site including any retaining walls.
Requirements for Geotechnical Reports
Please refer to the APEGBC's Guidelines,latest revision,for full guidelines including Risk Tolerance Criteria
and Appendix D -Landslide Assessment Assurance Statement.
It is expected that the Qualified Professional will exercise professional judgment when preparing their
reports and may determine that a higher or lower level of effort is required on a site specific assessment.