SEC. 1358. PRELIMINARY SOIL REPORT.
§ 1358
Developers must prepare a Preliminary Soil Report by a qualified soil engineer or geologist, based on site testing, that identifies soil conditions, expansive soils, slope stability, and drainage or hazard issues at a proposed subdivision.
Before dividing up land into a subdivision, a soil engineer or geologist must study the ground at the site. They dig test holes and examine the soil to write a report. The report must describe what kind of soil is there, point out any soil problems (like soil that expands when wet and could crack buildings), explain whether the ground can safely support slopes and built-up areas, and identify any slides, water springs, leaks, faults, or erosion problems—plus suggest how to fix them.
- Complex:The section references technical concepts (critically expansive soils, embankments, excavation slopes, faults) and relies on definitions of professional qualifications (soils engineer, registered engineering geologist) that are not defined within this section itself.
AI-generated · claude-haiku-4-5 · informational only, not legal advice.
Official text
(a) A Preliminary Soil Report, prepared by a soils engineer or a registered engineering geologist, and based upon test borings and excavations done at the subdivision site, shall contain the following elements:
(1) The specific geologic and soil conditions within and immediately adjacent to the subdivision;
(2) Indication and delineation of critically expansive soils or other soil problems which, if not corrected, may lead to defects in structures, buildings and other improvements;
(3) Report on the suitability of the earth material for the construction of stable embankments and excavation slopes, together with recommended construction procedures needed to obtain the required stability; and
(4) Report on slides, springs and seepage conditions, faults and erosion problems, together with recommendations for correction of any problems or hazards presented by such conditions.