Grading Q & As
- Why do I need a grading permit?
Obtaining a grading permit allows the City of San Diego and other agencies
to ensure your grading plan complies with the codes, that it is performed
safely and that there are no unexpected impacts on the adjacent property
or surrounding environment.
- When do I need a grading permit?
Per the City's Land Development Code, a permit is needed:
- for homeowners who live on a canyon, and wish to modify the
slope.
- if grading is being performed as a condition of a development
permit.
- for any activity that disturbs soil or vegetation in
environmentally sensitive land.
- for excavation of a hillside
with a 25 percent or greater slope, or involves excavation
or fill that results
in a slope grade of 25 percent or more (4 feet horizontal, 1 foot vertical),
and
more
than
5 feet in depth or height.
- for activity that
impacts sensitive resources in the coastal zone (see map C-720).
- if
the grading is within privately owned open space easements
or City-owned open space.
- for restoring damage caused by illegal
grading.
- for grading of any non-environmentally sensitive land
of 1 acre or more.
- for grading that changes the existing drainage
pattern.
- for fill with more than 5 percent broken concrete,
asphalt, masonry or construction debris.
- for fill material with
any single piece larger than 12 inches in any direction.
- for
grading on a property with a historical resource.
- for geotechnical
investigations, well drilling, or agricultural activity on
environmentally sensitive lands or on properties
with historical resources.
- for grading within a 100-year flood plain.
- When don't I need a grading permit?
Exemptions per the Land Development Code include:
- excavation (not fill) under the footprint of a building,
retaining wall, or swimming pool, if construction is authorized
by
a valid building permit and the excavated material is discarded in a
legal disposal site.
- gravel pits, mines and other operations covered by Conditional
Use Permits.
- grave excavation in permitted cemeteries.
- dirt disposal areas
licensed by the City of San Diego, provided the dirt dumped
does not interfere with drainage, or increase
the stress or otherwise affect neighboring property.
- Who should I contact to determine if I need a grading permit?
Make an appointment with the Development Services Department at
1222 First Ave. in downtown San Diego, by calling (619) 446-5300.
- How do I get a grading permit?
You need to hire a civil engineer to prepare a grading plan (that
includes research of the restrictions on your property), and to assist
in completing the permit application. Professional engineers can
be found in the Yellow Pages and professional directories. You may
also request a Preliminary Review with City staff. This service (for
a fee) will provide you and your consultants with information on
the regulations with which your project must comply. For more information
on this review process, see Information Bulletin 513, available on
the internet at www.sandiego.gov/development-services.
- Is environmental review required for my project?
You will need an environmental review if you are grading within
environmentally sensitive areas including canyons, mesas, slopes,
flood plains, coastal zones and hilltops, or within proximity to
historical resources such as archeological sites. Most environmentally
sensitive areas have been surveyed and identified.
The City may request that you hire a consultant to analyze
the property.
Contact the City to determine requirements. Make an appointment
by calling (619) 446-5300.
- What rules apply to homeowners that live adjacent to canyons?
You are not exempt from the City’s grading requirements
just because you own the slope or a portion of the slope. Before
you build a fence, patio or deck structure, or remove any plants,
please check with the Development Services Department to determine
if your property is environmentally sensitive.
- What if I don't get a required permit?
You will be subject to serious code enforcement actions. Excavation,
grading, clearing or grubbing without a permit is
a major violation of the San Diego Municipal Code. You could
be fined
up to $250,000,
and/or prosecuted by the City Attorney’s Office.
In addition, the City may issue a stop-work action
on the project,
withhold
issuance of current and future development permits
and require restoration of the site. Additional fines,
penalties
and
mitigation may also be imposed by state and federal
agencies.
- Can grading cause water pollution?
Yes, without proper safeguards it can. When you grade, you are
responsible for preventing "dirty water" from running
off your property. Dirty water includes that which contains
sediment, soils and chemicals. Sediment from grading cannot
be allowed
to wash from the site into the city's storm drain system or
any nearby body of water. When your grading permit is issued,
the
City or the state's Regional Water Quality Control Board may
impose conditions. If your project doesn't require a permit,
you must still prevent sediment and other pollutants from entering
the city storm drain system. Keep your dirt on site.
- How do I find out if grading in my community is being performed
legally?
For large-scale grading projects, call the Engineering and Capital
Projects Field Engineering Division at (858) 627-3200. For residential
projects, call the Development Services Department at (619) 446-5000.
Staff can check to see if there's a valid permit. If there is
not a valid permit, call the Neighborhood Code Compliance Department
at (619) 236-5500.
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