Moorpark, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Max slope height
- 30 feet
- Variable gradient trigger
- Slopes over 15 feet
- Interim drainage standard
- No peak-runoff increase, 10-yr storm
- Applies to
- Designated hillside areas only
Summary
Moorpark caps manufactured slopes in hillside areas at 30 feet, requires variable gradients above 15 feet, and separately requires drainage facilities to respect natural hydrology and control peak runoff.
The maximum height for manufactured slopes shall be 30 feet except as specified in this chapter. Any manufactured slope in excess of 15 feet vertical shall have variable gradients. ... All proposed drainage facilities shall respect the natural (before development), hydrologic characteristics of the subject terrain, preserve major drainage channels in their natural state...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978490; v10 updated 2026-07-01).
Full Breakdown
Moorpark's Hillside Management chapter (Ch. 17.38) sets numeric grading and drainage standards for hillside-area development: manufactured slopes cannot exceed 30 feet in height, and any slope over 15 feet vertical must use variable gradients rather than a uniform grade. Separately, all proposed drainage facilities must respect the site's natural, pre-development hydrology and preserve major drainage channels in their natural state; where off-site drainage facilities are needed, interim facilities must handle a 10-year storm with no increase in peak runoff until permanent facilities are built. These standards apply only within land the code defines as a hillside area.
Violations & Fines
Grading a hillside slope beyond the height or gradient limits, or building drainage facilities that increase peak runoff without interim mitigation, blocks project approval and is enforceable as a zoning violation under Chapter 1.10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Moorpark limit grading and drainage design outside hillside areas?
What happens to runoff during hillside construction before permanent drainage is finished?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moorpark
California rules heatmap·Compare Moorpark to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle erosion control.