A preliminary soils report, prepared by a civil engineer registered in this state, and based upon adequate test borings, shall be required for every subdivision for which a final map is required by this division and may be required by local ordinance for other subdivisions.
RequirementsSoils Report
Section § 66490
If you're planning a subdivision that needs a final map, you'll need to get a preliminary soils report. This report must be done by a civil engineer who's registered in California and should be based on sufficient test borings. Local laws might also require this report for other types of subdivisions.
preliminary soils report civil engineer test borings
Section § 66491
This law allows local authorities to waive the need for a preliminary soils report if they already understand the soil conditions in an area. If a report is required, it can be reviewed by city or county engineers to ensure it is complete and accurate. Should the report reveal dangerous soil conditions, like expansive soils or harmful chemicals that could damage buildings, a detailed investigation might be necessary for each affected lot. Such investigations must be done by a registered civil engineer who will suggest corrective actions to prevent structural damage. The local agency can approve subdivision plans if it believes the corrective actions will avoid damage, and it may require these actions to be included in the construction plans as a condition for issuing building permits.
With respect to the soils report, a local ordinance may provide that:
(a)CA Government Code § 66491(a) The preliminary soils report may be waived if the local agency determines that, due to the knowledge it has as to the soils qualities of the soils of the subdivision, no preliminary analysis is necessary.
(b)CA Government Code § 66491(b) The preliminary soils report may be submitted to the city engineer or county engineer for review. The city engineer or county engineer may review the preliminary soils report and may require additional information or reject the report if it is found to be incomplete, inaccurate, or unsatisfactory.
(c)CA Government Code § 66491(c) If the preliminary soils report indicates the presence of critically expansive soils or other soils problems which, if not corrected, would lead to structural defects, a soils investigation of each lot in the subdivision may be required.
(d)CA Government Code § 66491(d) If the preliminary soils report indicates the presence of rocks or liquids containing deleterious chemicals which, if not corrected, could cause construction materials such as concrete, steel, and ductile or cast iron to corrode or deteriorate, a soils investigation of each potentially affected lot in the subdivision may be required.
(e)CA Government Code § 66491(e) Any soils investigation required pursuant to this section shall be done by a civil engineer registered in this state, who shall recommend the corrective action which is likely to prevent structural damage to each structure proposed to be constructed in the area where the soils problem exists.
(f)CA Government Code § 66491(f) The local agency may approve the subdivision or portion thereof where soils problems described in subdivision (c) or (d) exist if it determines that the recommended action is likely to prevent structural damage to each structure to be constructed, and as a condition to the issuance of any building permit may require that the approved recommended action be incorporated in the construction of each structure.
preliminary soils report local ordinance civil engineer
