Many of the properties important for agricultural uses are also important for urban uses. While the properties are the same, a different set of criteria is used to evaluate urban uses. Defining Limitations Soils have limitations in use depending on their inherent properties. Low maintenance can be expected. Limitations may be overcome or modified with special planning, design, treatment, or maintenance.
Limitations are very difficult and expensive to modify or overcome for the desired use.
A severe rating means that extensive, costly work needs to be done to overcome the soil limitations for the use desired. Ratings for other uses can be made but are not included in this contest. Some important soil properties that affect building foundations are soil depth, slope, shrink-swell potential, water table, and flooding. The important soil properties are those that affect establishment and maintenance of planting. They include texture, permeability, soil depth, runoff, water table, plant response when fertilizer is applied, and absence of toxic materials such as salts.