The City of Orange requires grading permits for earthwork and site drainage management under OMC Title 15 and the California Building Code. A Water Quality Management Plan must be submitted before grading permit issuance.
Under OMC Title 15 and the California Building Code, grading permits are required for earthwork projects exceeding specified thresholds. Prior to issuance of any grading permit, applicants must submit a Project Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) for review and approval by the Public Works Department per the city's Local Implementation Plan. Grading plans must show existing and proposed drainage patterns, demonstrate that runoff will not adversely affect neighboring properties, and include best management practices for erosion and sediment control. Projects disturbing one acre or more require a SWPPP filed with the State Water Resources Control Board. All site drainage must be directed to approved outlets and may not discharge concentrated flows onto adjacent properties.
Grading without a permit or in violation of approved plans may result in stop-work orders, fines, required remediation, and revocation of other permits. Discharging sediment-laden water is a Clean Water Act violation.
Orange, CA
Leaf blowers in Orange must not exceed 70 dBA measured at 50 feet and cannot be operated within 10 feet of windows, doors, or air intakes on neighboring prop...
Orange, CA
Industrial and commercial noise in Orange is regulated under OMC Chapter 8.24 and the city's General Plan noise element. Industrial operations must not creat...
Orange, CA
Construction in Orange is permitted Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and on Sundays and federal holidays from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM under OMC Ch...
Orange, CA
The City of Orange enforces quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM under OMC Chapter 8.24. During these hours, noise audible from 100 feet of the property line...
Orange, CA
Vehicles parked on Orange streets for more than 72 consecutive hours without movement may be towed as abandoned under California Vehicle Code Section 22651 a...
Orange, CA
Pool barriers in Orange must be at least 5 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates per California Building Code Section 3109 and Orange County Ordin...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle grading & drainage.
See how Orange's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.