Pacific Palisades Fire Rebuilds: Hillside Sites

Many Pacific Palisades fire rebuilds are located on hillside lots where the soil conditions can have a major impact on the foundation, grading, cost, and construction process.

One common requirement is removal and recompaction, often called R&R.

What is Removal and Recompaction?

If the existing soil is loose, uncontrolled fill, or otherwise unsuitable, the soils engineer may require that it be excavated and replaced with properly compacted soil.

On hillside sites, this can sometimes mean removing soil several feet below the proposed foundations and extending the excavation beyond the building footprint.

The exact depth and limits depend on the soils report and what is discovered during excavation.

Why Hillside Sites Are More Complicated

Many Pacific Palisades hillside lots were originally created by cutting into the hillside and adding fill to create flatter building pads.

Because of this, one property may sit significantly higher or lower than the next.

If excavation is required near a property line, retaining wall, or neighboring home, the project may also require temporary shoring, controlled excavation, or slot cutting to safely support the surrounding soil.

Soils Engineering and Grading

The geotechnical engineer typically observes and tests the recompacted soil before foundations are constructed.

Hillside fire rebuilds may also require coordination with the LADBS Grading Division depending on the amount of excavation, fill, retaining walls, and site grading involved.

This is why hillside rebuilds require close coordination between the architect, soils engineer, structural engineer, contractor, and the City.

The Main Takeaway

A hillside lot can look simple from the surface, but the conditions below grade can significantly affect the design, schedule, and construction cost.

For a Pacific Palisades fire rebuild, understanding the soils conditions early can help reduce surprises once construction begins.

Reach out to me if you have questions about a Pacific Palisades fire rebuild, hillside site, soils report, grading, or removal and recompaction requirements.