San Luis Obispo County, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 19.12.140
- Required tool
- Approved BMPs on grading plan
- Pre-construction inspection
- Required year-round
- Enforcement gate
- No inspection without BMPs
Summary
Cut and fill slopes on graded sites in San Luis Obispo County must be protected with approved BMPs, and no grading or structure inspection proceeds until those controls are in place.
(a)Slopes. The top, toe, and faces of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained to control against erosion. This control shall consist of approved best management practices (BMPs) shown on the grading plans and the stormwater pollution prevention plan as applicable. The protection for the slopes shall be installed as soon as practicable and prior to calling for final approval. ... (c)No grading or structure inspections shall be made unless required BMPs are in place. A pre-construction inspection must be conducted prior to the commencement of land disturbance year round.
Full Breakdown
Under County Code Section 19.12.140, the top, toe, and faces of cut and fill slopes on a permitted grading site must be prepared and maintained to control erosion, using best management practices shown on the grading plan and stormwater pollution prevention plan. Slope protection must go in as soon as practicable and before final approval is called. The building official will not conduct grading or structure inspections unless the required BMPs are already installed, and a pre-construction inspection is mandatory before any land disturbance begins, year-round. Final grading approval under Section 19.12.160 is withheld until all erosion-control measures are complete and site stabilization is finished.
Violations & Fines
No grading or structure inspection is performed until BMPs are installed; final grading approval is withheld until erosion-control measures and site stabilization are complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must erosion control be installed on a graded slope?
Can grading proceed without erosion BMPs in place?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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