Grading in unincorporated LA County requires permits from Building & Safety. The LA County Flood Control District manages the regional drainage system with 487 miles of channels and 2,919 miles of storm drain. Retaining walls over 4 ft require permits. Coastal areas have additional requirements for terracing and landscaping.
Grading in unincorporated LA County requires permits from Building & Safety for most excavation and fill work. Exemptions apply for grading less than 50 cubic yards on a single lot that does not obstruct drainage. The county's grading code (Title 26 Appendix J) establishes standards for cut and fill slopes, drainage, compaction, and geotechnical reporting. Projects in hillside areas require soils and geology reports. Drainage must be directed to approved outlets — discharging concentrated runoff onto neighboring properties is prohibited. All grading must comply with the Low Impact Development (LID) standards for stormwater management.
Grading without a permit is a building code violation with fines starting at $500 for the first offense. Retroactive permits require double fees. Altering drainage patterns to damage neighboring properties creates civil liability and violates county code. Administrative penalties of $250-$1,000 per day apply for ongoing violations. Hillside grading violations may trigger geotechnical review requirements at the owner's expense.
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