San Jose regulates grading and drainage through SJMC Chapter 17.04 (Grading Ordinance) and Title 20 (Zoning). A grading permit is required for excavation or fill exceeding 50 cubic yards, cuts or fills exceeding 5 feet in depth, or any grading on slopes steeper than 20%. All grading must maintain pre-development drainage patterns or provide engineered drainage solutions that prevent adverse impacts to neighboring properties.
Grading permit applications require engineered plans showing existing and proposed contours, drainage facilities, erosion controls, and geotechnical analysis for slopes or fill areas. The City reviews grading plans for conformance with the Hillside Development Policy for properties in hillside areas. Drainage must be directed to approved facilities and cannot be concentrated onto neighboring properties. Retaining walls over 4 feet require separate building permits.
Grading without a permit can result in stop-work orders, administrative fines of $250-$2,500 per day, and requirements to restore the site to its original condition at the property owner's expense.
San Jose, CA
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