Alameda County regulates grading under Title 15 and CBC Appendix J. Permits are required for cuts or fills over 50 cubic yards or 3 feet in depth; hillside overlays have stricter rules.
Grading and drainage in unincorporated Alameda County are regulated by Title 15 of the County Code, which adopts California Building Code Appendix J. A grading permit is required for excavations exceeding 50 cubic yards, fills over 50 cubic yards, cuts over 3 feet in depth, fills over 1 foot on a slope steeper than 5:1, or any work within a drainage course. Hillside overlay zones in Castro Valley, Sunol, and canyon communities require geotechnical reports and enhanced erosion control. Drainage must be directed to approved facilities such as storm drains, swales, or dispersal trenches without causing nuisance to adjoining properties. Roof runoff, sump discharge, and surface flow onto neighbors without consent can trigger civil liability under Water Code 7076 and common-law nuisance. Grading during the October-April wet season requires enhanced BMPs. Building Inspection Division conducts site inspections before final approval.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Alameda County, CA
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See how Alameda County's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
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