What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Whittier?

Whittier's code: No grading or building on slopes of 50% or more, except to fix past grading, landslides or unstable soil. (H-R zone.) (§ 18.14.080); At most 20 feet. (H-R zone; vertical height of cuts or fills, exposed or behind walls; street grading excepted.) (§ 18.14.080).

Building on a hillside in Whittier: the local rules

Whittier code What Whittier's code adds
Soils or geology report	A soils and geologic report is required with the development plan application. Applies: Development plan applications in the H-R zone. § 18.14.060 · code text A soils and geologic report prepared by a registered soils engineer and/or registered geologist in the state including any known groundwater conditions No building in a mapped potential hazard area unless a competent geologic report shows it can be placed safely. Applies: H-R zone. § 18.14.080 · code text unless a competent geologic report unequivocally shows that the proposed placement of the specific buildings and/or structures can be safely accomplished
Grading and retaining walls	At most 20 feet. Applies: H-R zone; vertical height of cuts or fills, exposed or behind walls; street grading excepted. § 18.14.080 · code text The maximum vertical height of cuts or fills, exposed or retained by walls, from toe to top, shall not exceed twenty feet No steeper than 2:1. Applies: H-R zone; cuts and fills. § 18.14.080 · code text The maximum steepness of cuts and fills shall not exceed 2:1 Up to 80% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 1.0% to 14.9%. § 18.14.080 · code text 1.0% to 14.9% \| 80% Up to 70% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 15.0 to 17.4. § 18.14.080 · code text 15.0 to 17.4 \| 70 Up to 66% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 17.5 to 19.9. § 18.14.080 · code text 17.5 to 19.9 \| 66 Up to 60% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 20.0 to 22.4. § 18.14.080 · code text 20.0 to 22.4 \| 60 Up to 55% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 22.5 to 24.9. § 18.14.080 · code text 22.5 to 24.9 \| 55 Up to 50% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 25.0 to 27.4. § 18.14.080 · code text 25.0 to 27.4 \| 50 Up to 45% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 27.5 to 29.9. § 18.14.080 · code text 27.5 to 29.9 \| 45 Up to 40% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 30.0 to 32.4. § 18.14.080 · code text 30.0 to 32.4 \| 40 Up to 35% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 32.5 to 34.9. § 18.14.080 · code text 32.5 to 34.9 \| 35 Up to 30% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 35.0 to 37.4. § 18.14.080 · code text 35.0 to 37.4 \| 30 Up to 25% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 37.5 to 39.9. § 18.14.080 · code text 37.5 to 39.9 \| 25 Up to 20% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 40.0 to 42.4. § 18.14.080 · code text 40.0 to 42.4 \| 20 Up to 15% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 42.5 to 44.9. § 18.14.080 · code text 42.5 to 44.9 \| 15 Up to 10% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 45.0 to 47.4. § 18.14.080 · code text 45.0 to 47.4 \| 10 Up to 5% of the site may be graded, including streets. Applies: H-R zone; average natural slope 47.5 to 49.9. § 18.14.080 · code text 47.5 to 49.9 \| 5
When hillside rules apply	No grading or building on slopes of 50% or more, except to fix past grading, landslides or unstable soil. Applies: H-R zone. § 18.14.080 · code text All sloping areas of the site which are fifty percent or greater shall not be graded except to correct previous grading, landslide or unstable soil areas

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