Hanford, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Hanford's Grading and Drainage Ordinance, Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 15.55, requires city approval before any grading occurs on a site within city limits: "Except for the specific exemptions listed hereinafter, no person shall do or permit to be done any grading on any site in the city without first obtaining approval of such grading from the city" (§ 15.55.050). The engineering division of the public works department reviews technical grading issues, while the building division of the community development department issues permits (§ 15.55.040). A grading permit is valid for 180 days and can be extended up to one additional year for unusual circumstances that will not create a hazard (§ 15.55.220).

Section 15.55.060 exempts minor work: excavations or fills of 50 cubic yards or less on ground sloping under 20% with a cut or fill face no steeper than two-to-one, cemetery graves, wells, utility trenches, and minor agricultural land leveling changing elevation by two feet or less. Even exempt work must still control erosion; § 15.55.060(B) requires exempt projects to "implement best management practices to ensure that the potential for erosion and control of sediment from any project site is minimized."

Once a permit issues, § 15.55.210(D) places sole responsibility on the applicant to prevent sediment discharge in quantities greater than before grading, and § 15.55.210(E) requires ongoing compliance with the city's Stormwater Quality Management and Discharge Control Ordinance, Chapter 13.10, through completion of all improvements. The building official or city engineer can also condition approval on dust, erosion, sediment and noise control, hours of operation, and haul routes (§ 15.55.080(E)(4)). Grading done in violation of the ordinance triggers cost recovery: the permittee must pay all city costs to inspect, investigate, and plan-check corrective work (§ 15.55.160(C)).