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1. When is a Grading Permit required?

A grading permit is required to grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of soil and earth materials or to perform any other land-disturbing or land-filling activity which may cause erosion. All land-disturbing or land-filling activities or soil storage shall be undertaken in a manner designed to minimize surface runoff, erosion, and sedimentation and to safeguard life, limb, property, and public welfare. You can find information for Standards and Specifications online. A grading permit is not required if all the following criteria are met:

• Natural and finished slopes are less than 10 percent
• No drainage way is blocked or has its stormwater-carrying capacities or characteristics modified
• Rainwater runoff is diverted, either during or after construction, from an area smaller than one thousand five hundred square feet
• The site upon which land area is disturbed or filled is three thousand square feet or less
• The volume of soil or earth materials stored is fifty cubic yards or less

2. How do I obtain a Grading Permit?

The property owner or the contractor performing the work must:

• Complete Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF), if needed
• Complete and submit a Grading and Hauling Permit Application (PDF) and pay applicable review fees
• Complete and submit a Plan Review Application (PDF) and pay applicable review fees
• Pay applicable permit fees and post-security deposits (PDF). On May 8, 2023, City Council approved the new Master Fee Schedule. Please see pages 11-15 for up-to-date Public Works Fees. 

For information call 650-991-8064.