A. The purpose of this chapter is to promote, protect and preserve the public interest by regulating land alteration, particularly the grading of land in the city.

B. This chapter is necessary in order to provide minimum development regulations and construction procedures which will preserve, replace or enhance natural processes and characteristics to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the zoning and subsequent development of the land within the city; to minimize water quality degradation and the sedimentation of creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands and other water bodies; to minimize the impact of increased runoff erosion and sedimentation on nonconsenting persons caused by improper land development and maintenance practices; to maintain and protect groundwater resources; to minimize adverse effects of alteration in ground and surface water quantities, locations, and flow patterns; to promote safety upon city roads and rights-of-way; to decrease potential landslide, flood, and erosion damage to public and private property; and to promote site planning and building practices which are consistent with the city’s natural topographical, vegetational and hydrological features.

C. This chapter is intended to promote the health, safety and welfare of the public and nothing in this chapter is intended to or shall be deemed to create a duty on the part of the city to protect or promote the interests of any particular person or class of persons. The existence of these regulations or any failure, refusal or omission of the city to enforce any provision in this chapter shall not prevent, supplant or affect the right of any person affected by the grading operations of another to invoke such private remedies as may be available against such other person. (Ord. 1169 § 4, 2009).