Athens City Code

The purpose, scope and authority of this chapter is as follows:

1. (1) The intended purpose of this policy is to safeguard life, limb, property, and public welfare by regulating clearing, earthwork, excavation, and other land disturbing activity and by requiring temporary and permanent provisions for its control. It should be used as a planning and engineering implement to facilitate the necessary control of grading and earthwork.
2. (2) This policy sets forth standards and rules for grading and earthwork and establishes the requirement of a formal permitting procedure. This policy applies to all areas within the city limits and establishes administrative procedures for the issuance of permits and the enforcement thereof, requires the submission of necessary plans (site or conceptual plans) for such work, and the observation and inspection of grading and/or earthwork operations.
3. (3) This policy is developed, implemented, and recognized as a standard practice for the city. The city council has approved this chapter for the management of grading and earthwork activities within the city limits. It will be utilized in conjunction with the existing site plan ordinance, subdivision regulations, zoning ordinance, stormwater management policy, landscape ordinance, and other such municipal codes and texts. The community development and public works departments of the city shall administer and enforce the provisions of this policy in regard to the review and approval of grading, excavation, earthwork, and related activities and such management practices as described herein.