Grading & Drainage: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do grading & drainage rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Redwood City has fewer restrictions than Daly City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Grading and drainage in Daly City are governed by California Building Code Appendix J (grading) as adopted in Title 12 of the Municipal Code. A grading permit from the Daly City Building/Engineering Division is required for cuts or fills exceeding the Appendix J thresholds, and all sites must direct drainage to an approved point of discharge without creating runoff onto neighboring properties.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
San Mateo County requires a Grading Permit from Planning & Building for projects involving more than 250 cubic yards of cut and/or fill, or any grading on slopes over 20%, or grading within 100 ft of a watercourse. Drainage design must direct runoff away from structures and must not adversely redirect water onto neighboring properties. Retaining walls over 4 feet in height need separate engineering and permits. Pre-site erosion-control and tree-protection inspection may be required.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| Code basis | California Building Code Appendix J (adopted Title 12) | - |
| Permit trigger | Cuts >5 ft or >50 cy; fills >1 ft supporting structures | - |
| Foundation slope | 5% min slope-away within 10 ft (CBC §1804.4) | - |
| Hillside reports | Geotech + engineering geology on landslide complex | - |
| Discharge | Must reach approved storm drain or watercourse | - |
| Permit Threshold | - | 250 cu yd or 20% slope |
| Watercourse Buffer | - | 100 ft triggers permit |
| Retaining Walls | - | Over 4 ft needs permit |
| Geotech | - | Required on steep/fill sites |
| Compaction | - | 90-95% standard |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Can I grade my backyard without a permit?
Minor grading below the Appendix J thresholds (cuts <5 ft and <50 cubic yards) is typically exempt, but the work still cannot redirect water onto neighbors or block existing drainage. Check with the Building Division before any cut on a sloped lot.
Can I drain my downspouts into my neighbor's yard?
No. Cal. Civil Code §3479 (nuisance) and CBC §J109 prohibit creating concentrated runoff that crosses property lines. Daly City requires drainage to be conveyed to a public storm drain, gutter, or approved on-site infiltration.
Do I need a soils report for hillside work?
Yes - properties on the Westlake/Northridge slopes or within the Mussel Rock landslide complex generally require a geotechnical investigation and an engineering geology report under Appendix J §J104.3 before a grading permit is issued.
Redwood City FAQ
How do I know if my property exceeds 20% slope?
20% slope equals a rise of 2 feet over 10 feet of horizontal distance. On a topographic survey, contours closer together than 5 ft apart at 1-ft intervals typically indicate slopes over 20%. County GIS has slope layers, but for permit determination you'll need a licensed surveyor's topographic map of your parcel.
Can I level my backyard myself with a rented skid steer?
If the cumulative cut AND fill total stays under 250 cubic yards, no grading permit is required provided slopes remain under 20% and you're not near a creek. But you still must not redirect drainage onto neighbors, must maintain erosion controls during work, and may not create cut/fill over 3 ft in height. When in doubt, call Planning at (650) 363-4161.
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