Sacramento County, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- 350 cy or 1+ acre cleared
- Common exemption
- Pools/footings under a building permit
- Minimum deposit
- $1,200 ($750 if CEQA-reviewed)
- Administering authority
- Public Works Agency Administrator
Summary
Sacramento County requires a Grading and Erosion Control Permit before moving 350 cubic yards or more of soil, or clearing and grubbing an acre or more, anywhere in the unincorporated area.
Except as provided by Sections 16.44.060, 16.44.065 or 16.44.070, a Grading and Erosion Control Permit shall be required to: (1) grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of 350 cubic yards or more of soil or earthly material; or (2) clear and grub one acre or greater of land within the unincorporated area of the County. A separate permit is required for work on each site unless sites are contiguous, have the same ownership, and are included in the approved plan. Any determination by the Administrator as to whether a permit is required may be appealed pursuant to the provisions of Section 16.44.300. (SCC 0928 § 2, 1993; SCC 1002 § 3, 1995)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 16.44, grading, filling, excavating or disposing of 350 cubic yards or more of material, or clearing and grubbing one acre or more of land, requires a Grading and Erosion Control Permit administered by the Public Works Agency. Smaller projects are exempt from the permit itself but stay subject to the chapter's erosion and drainage standards, and a separate permit is needed for each site unless sites are contiguous, commonly owned and covered by one plan.
Violations & Fines
Violating the chapter is an infraction carrying a $100-per-day fine; violating after a stop-work notice from the Administrator escalates to a misdemeanor, and the county may also seek an injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a grading permit required in Sacramento County?
Is there a minimum deposit for a grading permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
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