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Division 1 — Generally›Chapter 33›Article 55 — GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL

§ 33-1066. Design criteria.

Escondido Zoning Code · 2026-05 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Escondido

The criteria listed below are to be adhered to in the preparation of grading designs for private and public development projects. In addition, these criteria are intended to reflect and implement the goals and policies of the Escondido General Plan relating to the protection of the critical landforms and natural resources of the city. Proposed grading designs will be compared to these criteria and, therefore, project proponents are encouraged to meet with city staff to discuss development and grading concepts prior to submittal of formal permit applications.

  • (a) Sensitivity to surrounding areas. All graded areas shall be protected from wind and water erosion through acceptable measures as described in the city's stormwater management requirements. Interim erosion control plans shall be required, certified by the project engineer, and reviewed and approved by the engineering services department. All grading designs must demonstrate visual sensitivity to surrounding properties and neighborhoods. Grading designs should have these characteristics:

    • (1) Extensive slope areas that are easily visible from outside the development shall be avoided;

    • (2) Fill slopes shall not block views from surrounding properties;

    • (3) Cut slopes shall not adversely affect the safe operation of adjoining septic systems;

    • (4) Any significant grading feature that may intrude into or disturb surrounding property shall be avoided.

  • (b) Slope heights. Slope heights shall be limited to minimize impact on adjoining properties. The height of retaining walls incorporated in grading designs shall be included in calculating the overall slope height. Grading designers shall strive to conform to the following criteria:

    • (1) Fill slopes within 50 feet of the property line shall be limited to five feet in height. Fill slopes in this location between five and 10 feet in height may be allowed, subject to the approval of the director;

    • (2) Fill slopes beyond 50 feet from the property line shall be limited to 20 feet in height;

    • (3) Fill slopes adjacent to existing public and private streets shall be limited to 10 feet in height;

    • (4) Cut slopes within 50 feet of the property line shall be limited to 20 feet in height;

  • (c) Specific review by the zoning administrator for discretionary project applications or by the director for administrative project applications is required for the following slopes:

    • (1) Any fill slope within 50 feet of the property line that is in excess of 10 feet in height;

    • (2) Any fill slope beyond 50 feet of the property line that is in excess of 20 feet in height;

    • (3) Any cut slope in excess of 20 feet in height;

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City of Escondido, CA

ESCONDIDO CODE

§ 33-1066

§ 33-1066

  • (4) Any cut slope steeper than two to one (2:1) ratio that is determined by the director to impact adjacent properties.

  • (d) Requests for approval of slopes in subsection (c) above shall be included in the project description and identified on the project plans. A statement of justification for each slope shall also be included. For those slopes that are proposed as part of an administrative request, fees for the legal notice and mailing list shall be submitted and a public notice of intended decision shall be issued pursuant to Article 61, Division 6, of this chapter. For a discretionary project, no separate application or filing fee will be required. When judging such requests, the zoning administrator or the director shall consider:

    • (1) The criteria contained within section 33-1066;

    • (2) The stability of the slope;

    • (3) The impact of the slope on surrounding properties;

    • (4) The reason for the slope; and

    • (5) Whether reasonable alternatives to the proposed design are available.

  • (e) Slope ratios. Grading designs should use a mix of different slope ratios, particularly where slope surfaces are easily visible from public streets. A mixture of two to one (2:1), two and one half to one (2 1/2:1), three to one (3:1), and flatter slope ratios should be used to provide variety throughout the development. Depending upon the recommendation of the soils engineer, steeper slopes to a maximum of one and one half to one (1 1/2:1) may be approved by the director for cut slopes of limited heights. Concurrent with development plan submittal, reasonable justification (such as to avoid blasting rock or to preserve mature trees) shall be given for any cut slope proposed to be steeper than two to one (2:1).

  • (f) Contoured grading. Slopes should be designed and constructed so as to conform to the natural contours of the landscape. Creative landforms using contoured grading should be utilized in all cases, except when such approach requires substantial increase in grading and slope heights, or is not deemed appropriate by the director. When utilized, contour grading should conform to the following guidelines:

    • (1) Grading should follow the natural topographic contours as much as possible (See figure 2);

    • (2) Manufactured slopes should be rounded and shaped to simulate the natural terrain (see Figure 2);

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City of Escondido, CA § 33-1066

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▸ Contents — Escondido Zoning Code
Escondido Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 6
  2. Division 2 — Routing
  3. Division 2 — Weed and Rubbish Abatement Program
  4. ▸ Division 1 — Generally
    Overview
    1. § 11-53. Created and established.
    2. § 11-54. Purpose.
    3. § 11-55. Membership.
    4. § 11-56. Members in classified service and subject to civil se…
    5. § 11-57. Personnel to obey fire chief and rules and regulation…
    6. § 11-63. Appointment; tenure.
    7. § 11-64. Qualifications.
    8. § 11-65. Status of employment.
    9. § 11-66. General authority.
    10. § 11-67. To perform duties prescribed by city manager.
    11. § 11-68. To aid enforcement of ordinances, report violations.
    12. § 11-69. Duty to promulgate and enforce rules, regulations for…
    13. § 11-70. Authority, duty to inspect buildings, premises and or…
    14. § 11-71. Right of entry to make inspections.
    15. § 11-72. Duty to investigate fires, maintain records.
    16. § 11-73. Duty to preserve order at fires.
    17. § 11-74. Provide instruction for department in first aid, etc.
    18. § 11-75. Duty to call fire drills; purpose of drills.
    19. § 11-76. Responsible for conduct of and property of department.
    20. § 11-77. Duty to recommend disciplinary action.
    21. § 11-78. Duty to make reports; contents.
    22. § 11-79. To submit annual budget.
    23. Chapter 20
    24. Chapter 32
    25. ▸ Chapter 33
      Overview
      1. § 33-1313. Penalty provisions.
      2. Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
      3. Article 2 — OPEN SPACE AND HAZARDOUS LANDS GENERALLY
      4. Article 3 — OPEN SPACE (OS) ZONE
      5. Article 4 — FLOOD PLAIN (FP) OVERLAY ZONE
      6. Article 5 — OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      7. Article 6 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
      8. Article 9 — ANIMAL OVERLAY (AO) ZONE
      9. Article 11 — (RESERVED)
      10. Article 13 — (RESERVED)
      11. Article 16 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
      12. Article 18 — SPECIFIC PLAN (S-P) ZONE
      13. Article 19 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (P-D) ZONE
      14. Article 24 — (RESERVED)
      15. Article 25 — PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL Z…
      16. Article 26 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
      17. Article 27 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY
      18. Article 30 — HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL OVERLAY (H-C-O) ZONE
      19. Article 31 — SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT (S-T-P) OVERLAY ZONE
      20. Article 32 — BED AND BREAKFAST FACILITIES
      21. Article 33 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
      22. Article 34 — COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS
      23. Article 35 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING
      24. Article 36 — CARGO CONTAINER RESTRICTIONS
      25. Article 37 — PUBLIC ART
      26. Article 38 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
      27. Article 39 — OFF-STREET PARKING
      28. Article 40 — HISTORICAL RESOURCES
      29. Article 41 — SENIOR HOUSING
      30. Article 42 — ADULT BUSINESSES
      31. Article 43 — ABANDONED SERVICE STATIONS
      32. Article 44 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
      33. Article 45 — MOBILEHOME PARKS
      34. Article 46 — TRAVEL TRAILER PARKS
      35. Article 47 — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
      36. Article 48 — RELOCATION OF BUILDINGS
      37. Article 49 — AIR SPACE CONDOMINIUM AND COMMUNITY APARTMENT PRO…
      38. Article 52 — FREEWAY SIGN CONTROL
      39. ▸ Article 55 — GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL
        Overview
        1. § 33-1050. Purpose.
        2. § 33-1051. Scope.
        3. § 33-1052. Definitions.
        4. § 33-1053. Permits required—Exceptions.
        5. § 33-1055 - (b) Cemetery graves controlled by other regulations;
        6. § 33-1054. Hazards.
        7. § 33-1055. Grading permit requirements.
        8. § 33-1056. Grading fees.
        9. § 33-1057. Bonds.
        10. § 33-1058. Cuts.
        11. § 33-1059. Fills.
        12. § 33-1060. Setbacks.
        13. § 33-1061. Drainage.
        14. § 33-1062 necessary for stability.
        15. § 33-1062. Best management practice (BMP) implementation.
        16. § 33-1062 by a registered civil engineer and approved by the c…
        17. § 33-1063. Grading inspection.
        18. § 33-1064. Completion of work.
        19. § 33-1065. Violation—Penalty.
        20. § 33-1066. Design criteria.
        21. § 33-1066 Figure 2: CONTOUR GRADING
        22. § 33-1066 Figure 4: SLOPE SCREENING
        23. § 33-1069. Vegetation protection and replacement standards.
        24. § 33-1069 Protected trees shall be replaced at a minimum two t…
      40. Article 56 — MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      41. Article 57 — MISCELLANEOUS USE RESTRICTIONS
      42. Article 58 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  5. Division 1
  6. Division 2 — Variances and Administrative Adjustments
  7. Division 3 — Nonconforming Uses and Structures
  8. Division 4 — Amendments and Zone Changes
  9. Division 5 — Reasonable Accommodation
  10. Division 6 — Public Hearings, Notices, Fees and Appeals
  11. Division 7 — Enforcement and Penalties
  12. Division 8 — Plot Plans
  13. Division 9 — Zoning Administrator

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