Union City, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Grading, excavation or fill
- Exemption
- ≤10,000 sq ft, ≤50 cu yd
- Engineered grading
- Required above 5,000 cu yd
- Application
- Drainage plan required
- Issued by
- Public Works Director
Summary
Union City requires a permit before any grading, filling, excavation or land-disturbing activity, with drainage facilities reviewed as part of the site map and grading plan under Title 21.
No person may grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of soil and earth materials or perform any other land-disturbing or land-filling activity without first obtaining a permit as set forth in this title.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Under Municipal Code § 21.08.010, no one may grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of soil or earth materials, or otherwise disturb land, without a permit issued by the Public Works Director. The site map and grading plan submitted with the application must show existing and proposed drainage facilities, contour intervals extending at least 100 feet off-site, and estimated runoff for each drainage area. Small projects are exempt: disturbances of 10,000 square feet or less, slopes under 10%, and no more than 50 cubic yards of soil moved. Engineered grading is required above 5,000 cubic yards.
Violations & Fines
Grading without a permit, or work that departs from the approved plan, can result in permit suspension or revocation, forfeiture of posted security, and prosecution as a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to grade my yard in Union City?
Who reviews drainage plans for grading projects?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle erosion control.