Grading

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What is grading?

Grading means any excavating or filling or any combination thereof; any earth disturbance; removal, and recompaction; storage; stockpiling; or any combination thereof resulting in the displacement, removal, excavation, import, export, or recompaction of soil. Unless the grading is exempt as provided by Municipal Code Chapter 17.32, a Grading Permit is required for any grading, storage, or disposal of soil and earth materials; clearing and/or grubbing; creation and/or replacement of impervious surfaces or other work necessitating storm water quality Best Management Practice measures; and removal or modification of existing Best Management Practice measures.

When is a grading permit required?

A grading permit is required for any of the following:

Cut or fill exceeding four (4) feet in vertical depth at its deepest point;
Grading of more than 200 cubic yards including remedial work;
Development classified as a Priority Development Project for purposes of storm water quality;
Placement of fill on an existing slope exceeding 5:1 horizontal to vertical;
Creation of a slope greater than 2:1 horizontal to vertical;
Creation and/or replacement of a cumulative impervious surface area of 5,000 square feet or more; and
Other thresholds as stated in SMMC Section 17.32.

What qualifies for permit exemption?

See Municipal Code Chapter 17.32.045 for exemption details. Permit exemptions include excavations (but not fill placement) for:

Grading authorization by a valid building permit;
Cemetery graves and refusal disposal sites controlled by other regulations;
Well, tunnel, or utilities;
Public right-of-way excavations performed under a City-issued permit;
Paving maintenance activities that do not require storm water quality review; and
Exploratory excavations performed under the direction of a soils engineer approved in writing by the City.

Temporary stockpile permit

A temporary stockpile permit may be obtained from the City for the temporary storage of material.

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls that are greater than (3) feet in height measured from top of footing to top of wall require a grading permit. Retaining walls that require earthwork greater than 200 cubic yards require a grading permit from the engineering division. All other retaining walls require a building permit.

Project entitlement requirements

With the exception of grading for a single family home, most projects require an approved project entitlement prior to submittal and processing of a grading permit. Please contact the Planning Division to determine whether or not your project requires an entitlement approval.

San Marcos, CA