Richmond grading over 2,500 square feet requires a land disturbance permit with E&SC plan, and drainage must not increase runoff onto adjacent properties under common law and city stormwater ordinance.
Grading permits are issued by DPU and Planning and Development Review and include post-construction stormwater quantity and quality BMPs. Swales, bioretention, and pervious pavement are encouraged. Fill placement in the SFHA requires a no-rise certification from a Virginia licensed professional engineer. Illegal dumping of fill in RPA buffers is strictly prohibited. Richmond uses the Virginia Runoff Reduction Method for water quality calculations.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Richmond, VA
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See how Richmond's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
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