§ 18-121. Florida Building Code, local technical amendments.

(a)

Florida Building Code, Building, Chapter 18, Soils And Foundations:

1805.4.1.3 Geologic Hazards. A design statement shall be required for commercial structures where a report by a soils engineer or professional geologist has determined that the subject soils cannot provide an allowable soil bearing pressure of at least 2000 pounds per square foot (psf) and/or the soils have characteristics that indicate the possibility of differential settlement. The design statement shall include: soil remediation (site preparation) methods that will bring the allowable bearing capacity of the resident soils up to a minimum of 2000 psf and/or assuage the stated concerns over differential settlement; or state that the foundation has been designed to provide adequate support for the structure regardless of the geologically hazardous conditions stated in the soils engineering report.

Acceptable "design statements" are:

1.

Statements in the soils report relating to site preparation techniques that will remediate the soils to provide a 2000 psf allowable bearing capacity. The report must be signed and sealed by the registered soils engineer or professional geologist appropriately registered in the State of Florida.

2.

Clearly indicated design criteria on the signed and sealed building plans showing that the foundation systems were designed with an understanding of the geologically hazardous conditions prevalent at the site. Plans shall be signed and sealed by an architect or engineer appropriately registered in the State of Florida.

(b)

Florida Building Code, Residential, Chapter 4:

R401.4.3 Geologic Hazards. A design statement shall be required for residential structures where a report by a soils engineer or professional geologist has determined that the subject soils cannot provide an allowable soil bearing pressure of at least 2000 pounds per square foot (psf) and/or the soils have characteristics that indicate the possibility of differential settlement. The design statement shall include: soil remediation (site preparation) methods that will bring the allowable bearing capacity of the resident soils up to a minimum of 2000 psf and/or assuage the stated concerns over differential settlement; or indicate that the foundation has been designed to provide adequate support for the structure regardless of the geologically hazardous conditions stated in the soils engineering report.

Acceptable "design statements" are:

1.

Statements in the soils report relating to site preparation techniques that will remediate the soils to provide a 2000-psf allowable bearing capacity. The report must be signed and sealed by the registered soils engineer or professional geologist appropriately registered in the State of Florida.

2.

Clearly indicated design criteria on the signed and sealed building plans showing that the foundation systems were designed with an understanding of the geologically hazardous conditions prevalent at the site. Plans shall be signed and sealed by an architect or engineer appropriately registered in the State of Florida.

(Ord. No. 09-09, § 3, 6-23-09)