California Coastal Commission

LAND FORM ALTERATION POLICY GUIDANCE

VIII EXAMPLES OF SITE DEVELOPMENT

Building Foundations

Slab-On Grade Foundation

• Useful on flat slopes when building can be constructed low to the ground.
• Useful when building site can be cut into a slope or backed by retaining walls to blend with terrain.
• On steep slopes this foundation type can require extensive grading, site alteration and habitat destruction.
• Clearance of surrounding vegetation for fire protection can result in a large area of site disturbance.
• Not appropriate for siting over unstable soils or in most flood prone locations

Pier or Caisson Foundation

• Can be used in steep terrain to minimize surface disturbance; the full elevation of exposed foundation and building should be considered in visual analysis.
• Useful whenever building is to be sited in flood prone area or where surface soils cannot support foundation loads.
• Some camouflage of foundation by vegetation may be possible, but fire protection needs may limit this effort.
• Can provide views over natural features and avoid siting buildings on or in front of these features.

Terraced or Multi-Level Foundation

• Only suitable for sloping lots.
• Can combine valuable attributes of slab-on grade and elevated foundations.
• For hillside development, buildings can blend with natural slope and terrain.
• Can provide a varied building facade, accentuating the existing terrain.
• Under floor areas and foundation support will not be visible.
• Reduces amount of land form alteration needed to fit the site to the building.

Foundation diagrams adapted from the City of Santa Barbara's "Single Family Residence Design Guidelines", 1992, with permission.

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