Ontario requires a grading permit under OMC Title 6 for any earthwork over 50 cubic yards or cuts and fills deeper than 3 feet, with geotechnical review for projects over 500 cubic yards.
Under Ontario Municipal Code Title 6 and California Building Code Appendix J (Grading), a grading permit is required for excavation, fill, or combined earthwork exceeding 50 cubic yards, any cut or fill deeper than 3 feet, or any fill placed on a slope steeper than 3:1. Grading plans must be prepared by a California-licensed civil engineer, include a drainage study showing positive drainage away from structures at 2 percent minimum, and demonstrate that post-project runoff does not exceed pre-project flows. Projects over 500 cubic yards require a geotechnical soils report addressing expansive soils and liquefaction (Ontario is in a California Seismic Hazard Zone). All grading sites must comply with SCAQMD Rule 403 (Fugitive Dust) including watering three times daily or use of soil stabilizers. Retaining walls over 4 feet from bottom of footing to top of wall require a separate building permit. Final grading certification from the engineer of record is required before occupancy.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Ontario, CA
Outdoor music is regulated under OMC Title 5 Chapter 29 and the special-event permit process. Venues and events with amplified sound need a city permit; resi...
Ontario, CA
Aircraft noise from Ontario International Airport (ONT) is regulated by the FAA, not the city. ONT runs an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program; federal ...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires a building permit for masonry walls and any fence over 7 feet under the California Building Code. Retaining walls over 4 feet also require p...
Ontario, CA
Ontario fence requirements include zoning-based heights, setbacks, sight triangles, buffer walls on industrial edges, and CBC structural standards. Pool, ret...
Ontario, CA
Ontario limits residential fence heights under the Development Code. Typical maximums are 6 feet rear/side, 3 feet front, and 42 inches in sight-distance tri...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires dogs to be leashed off-property under OMC Title 6. Maximum leash length is 6 feet, with owner control required in all public spaces except d...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle grading & drainage.
See how Ontario's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
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