Imperial County, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Imperial County Code Sec. 91011.00
- Permitting authority
- County engineer
- Key exemption
- Agricultural land leveling
- Issuance limit
- Can't take land out of ag use
- Appeal window
- 10 days to Board of Supervisors
Summary
Imperial County requires a county-engineer grading permit for excavation or earthwork in the unincorporated area, but exempts routine agricultural land leveling.
No person, firm, association, corporation or organization except public entities and their officers, employees or contractors who are performing work within publicly owned rights-of-way, shall, within the unincorporated territories of the County of Imperial, do any grading, excavation or earthwork construction without having first obtained a permit therefore from the county engineer.B.This Chapter does not apply to performing the following work:1.Grading in an isolated, self-contained area, provided there is no danger to the public, and that such grading will not adversely affect adjoining properties.2.Cemetery graves.3.Excavation authorized by a valid building permit.4.Construction of irrigation and drainage appurtenances.5.Agricultural land leveling. (Ord. No. 1565, § 8, 12-15-20)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Section 91011.00 bars grading, excavation or earthwork construction without a permit from the county engineer, applying countywide except within public rights-of-way. The chapter carves out five exceptions, including isolated grading that won't endanger the public or affect neighbors, cemetery graves, excavation already covered by a building permit, irrigation and drainage construction, and, notably for the Imperial Valley's farm economy, agricultural land leveling. Where a permit is required, Section 91011.02 lets the engineer issue it only if the grading won't take irrigable land out of agricultural use, won't block drain tile, and won't cut below the local water table.
Violations & Fines
Grading without a permit is unlawful under Section 91011.05 and subject to citation; a denied or conditioned permit can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors within ten days under Section 91011.03.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does leveling my farm field need a county grading permit?
Who issues grading permits in unincorporated Imperial County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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