§ 5-2. Building grade generally.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, build or place any building in the city contrary to the provisions of this section.

(b)

The building grade shall be established by the city engineer.

(c)

The building grade shall be the level of the ground at the front of the building. In general, it shall be assumed to be the mean established level of the sidewalk against which the property abuts, plus a rise of not less than one-quarter inch and not more than one inch per foot of distance from the street line to the nearest part of the building. If the natural level of the ground is higher than given herein the average natural level of the ground may be taken as the grade. Where a building site abuts on two or more streets the grade shall be taken as a mean of the grades calculated from the different streets. If the grade is to be raised higher than the adjoining property, and in the opinion of the city engineer the elevation of the grade is sufficient to cause damage to the adjoining property, a retaining wall of concrete or masonry shall be built at the owner's expense in order to retain the soil on his property.

(d)

This section shall not apply to private garages in the rear of residential lots or to buildings of a temporary nature such as a contractor's field office, etc.

(e)

A person who violates this section shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction and fined as prescribed in section 1-18 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 136, §§ 1—5, 11-3-43; Ord. No. 557, § 4, 10-16-96)