San Diego, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Reference
- SDMC Ch. 14, Art. 2, Div. 1 (Grading) & Div. 6 (Stormwater)
- Permit Trigger
- >200 cubic yards, >5 ft slopes, or ESL overlay
- Revegetation
- Required on all manufactured slopes (SDMC §86.710)
- Hydroseed Plans
- Required for cut/fill slopes >3 ft (Landscape Stds §§4.3, 4.4)
- Rainy Season BMPs
- October 1 – April 30 enforcement
- Issuing Office
- Development Services Department, 1222 First Ave
Summary
San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 1 governs grading permits. Any cut or fill more than 200 cubic yards, slopes steeper than 5 feet, or work in environmentally sensitive lands triggers a permit. Manufactured slopes must be revegetated and hydroseeded per the Landscape Standards (Sections 4.3 and 4.4), and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan with BMPs is required for any disturbed area.
Grading Within Environmentally Sensitive Lands: shall comply with Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 2 (Drainage Regulations) and Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 1 (Environmentally Sensitive Lands Regulations). Grading Within the Special Flood Hazard Area: shall comply with Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 2 (Drainage Regulations) and Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 1 (Environmentally Sensitive Lands Regulations). Grading to create slopes steeper than 25% (4:1 ratio): a Site Development Permit is required for any grading that results in the creation of a slope with a gradient steeper than 25% (4 horizontal feet to 1 vertical foot) and a height of 25 feet or more in accordance with Chapter 12, Article 6, Division 5 (Site Development Permits). [...] Without proper safeguards, grading can cause water pollution. When grading is being performed, the owner/permittee is responsible for preventing "dirty water" from running off the project site and entering the City's storm drain system. Dirty water includes that which contains sediment, soils and chemicals. Sediment from grading cannot be allowed to wash from the site into the city's storm drain system or any nearby body of water. [...] Grading permits are provided with an initial duration of two years, which begins at the time of permit issuance unless otherwise conditioned in the City of San Diego Municipal Code.
Full Breakdown
Grading in the City of San Diego is regulated under San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 1 (Grading Regulations) and Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 6 (Stormwater Runoff and Drainage). A grading permit is required for any earthwork that exceeds the City Engineer's threshold quantities (commonly any cut or fill greater than 200 cubic yards, slopes higher than 5 feet, or work that alters drainage patterns), and any work within an Environmentally Sensitive Land (ESL) overlay. Submittals are reviewed by Development Services Department (DSD) at 1222 First Avenue.
The grading plan must show existing and proposed contours, the limits of all FEMA Special Flood Hazard Zones (SFHA) with Base Flood Elevations, all drainage easements, and details of every cut and fill slope. Per SDMC Sec. 710, all manufactured slopes (any slope created by grading) must be revegetated to provide stable, erosion-resistant cover. 4 (Hydroseeding). Hydroseed mixes must use approved native or naturalized species; non-native invasive plants are prohibited. Erosion and sediment-control BMPs (silt fences, fiber rolls, inlet protection, stabilized construction entrances) must be shown on plans and maintained throughout the rainy season (October 1 – April 30) per the City's Stormwater Standards Manual. The Drainage Review Group reviews drainage studies for code conformance.
Violations & Fines
Grading without a permit, exceeding the approved cut/fill quantities, failing to install BMPs, or omitting required revegetation is a violation of SDMC Ch. 14. DSD may issue stop-work orders, require remediation, and impose Notice-of-Violation fees. The Stormwater Department can issue Administrative Citations under SDMC §14.0103 with fines up to $2,500 per violation per day, and the city can refer egregious cases to the State Water Resources Control Board for additional NPDES enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a grading permit in San Diego?
Is hydroseeding required for slopes in San Diego?
What is a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan in San Diego?
What are the penalties for grading without a permit in San Diego?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
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