§ 18.5-4. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section, and any word, term or phrase not specifically defined in this section, shall be as defined by reference to state law, city ordinance, or other persuasive authority:

Bedrock: The solid, non-granular, undisturbed earth material in place either at the ground surface or beneath surface deposits of gravel, sand or soil.

Borrow: Earth material acquired from an offsite location for use in grading on a site.

City: City of Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona.

City council: The city council of the City of Glendale, Arizona.

City engineer: The city engineer of the city or his authorized representative(s).

Compaction: The process whereby the in-place density of any earth material is increased by mechanical equipment, hydraulic means or other approved method.

Drainage: Runoff which flows over land as a result of precipitation to include flows which may concentrate in local drainage systems with or without defined channels.

Drywell: A well constructed in such a manner as to allow surface water to flow readily to an underlying porous strata that will allow for natural percolation.

Earth material: Any rock, natural soil or fill and/or any combination thereof.

Erosion: The wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of wind or water or a combination thereof.

Excavation: Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock, manmade obstruction or other earthen material is cut into, dug, uncovered, displaced or relocated and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.

Existing grade: The grade or elevation of the existing ground surface prior to grading.

Fifty-year storm: A rainstorm of intensity and duration such that it may be expected to occur or be exceeded not more often than once in fifty (50) years. This event has a two (2) percent statistical probability of being equalled or exceeded during any year.

Fill: Deposits of soil, rock or other materials placed by man.

Finish grade: The final grade or elevation of the ground surface after grading is completed.

Grading: Any excavating, filling, compaction or combination thereof and shall include the conditions resulting from any such operation(s).

Nuisance water: The ponding or drainage of water whether from precipitation or other water source in areas other than designated retention basins, detention basins or drainage ways which causes an inconvenience or health and safety hazard to the general public.

Onsite retention: The temporary storage of storm water volume that falls on the site for a given design frequency and duration storm, said storage area being exclusive of public streets, alleys or other lands specifically designated as drainage-ways.

One hundred-year storm: A rainstorm of intensity and duration such that it may be expected to occur or be exceeded not more often than once in one hundred (100) years. This event has a one (1) percent statistical probability of being equalled or exceeded during any year.

Outfall of site: The lowest point of a site (when final grading and improvements are complete) that will provide for continuity of storm water disposal to the street, alley, drainage channel, drainage easement, or acceptable underground storm drain system.

Rough grade: An approximate elevation of the ground surface conforming to the proposed design.

Site: Any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership, where grading is performed or permitted.

Slope: An inclined ground surface, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to a unit change of elevation. The slope is normally expressed as a ratio of horizontal:vertical, e.g. 4:1.

Soil: All earth material of whatever origin that overlies bedrock.

Ten-year storm: A rainstorm of intensity and duration such that it may be expected to occur or be exceeded not more often than once in ten (10) years. This event has a ten (10) percent statistical probability of being equalled or exceeded during any year.

(Ord. No. 1701, § 1, 10-29-91)