Division 6 — Grading Permit Procedures (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
§129.0602 When a Grading Permit is Required
San Diego Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Diego
A Grading Permit is required for the following work:
(a) Any grading within open space easements or City-owned open space;
(b) Any grading required for the restoration of unauthorized grading ;
(c) Any grading within the Special Flood Hazard Area ;
(d) Any grading in accordance with a Grading Permit required as a condition of a development permit to assure compliance with the development permit conditions.
(e) Any grading that includes the following conditions:
(1) Excavation or fill that results in a slope with a gradient of 25 percent or greater (4 horizontal feet to 1 vertical foot) and for which the depth or height at any point is more than 5 feet measured vertically at the face of the slope from the top of the slope to the bottom of the slope;
(2) Excavation or fill for which the depth or height at any point from the lowest grade to the highest grade at any time during the proposed grading is more than 5 feet measured vertically;
(3) Grading that creates manufactured slopes at a gradient exceeding that specified in Section 142.0133;
(4) Grading for which the graded area is more than 1 acre;
Ch. Art. Div. 12 9 6 1
San Diego Municipal Code
Chapter 12: Land Development Reviews
(2-2019)
(5) Grading that adversely affects the existing drainage pattern by altering the drainage pattern, concentrating runoff, increasing the quantity of runoff, or increasing the velocity of runoff to adjacent properties;
(6) Placing fill material that contains more than 5 percent, by volume, of broken concrete, asphalt, masonry, or construction debris;
(7) Placing fill material that has any piece larger than 12 inches in any direction; or
(8) Grading that includes blasting or other use of explosives.
(f) Any grading work on a property that contains a historical resource as described in Section 143.0210.
(Amended 4-22-2002 by O-19051 N.S.; effective 10-8-2002.)
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▸ Division 6 — Grading Permit Procedures (Added 12-9-1997 by O-1…
Overview- §129.0601 Purpose of Grading Permit Procedures
- §129.0602 When a Grading Permit is Required
- §129.0603 Exemptions from Requirement for a Grading Permit
- §129.0610 How to Apply for a Grading Permit
- §129.0620 Qualifications to Prepare Plans and Perform Construc…
- §129.0630 Decision Process for Grading Permits
- §129.0641 Issuance of a Grading Permit
- §129.0650 Expiration of a Grading Permit
- §129.0651 Extension of Time for a Grading Permit
- §129.0652 Construction Change to a Grading Permit
- §129.0660 Inspection of Grading
- §129.0661 Designation of Engineer of Record
- §129.0670 Completion of Grading
- Division 7 — Public Right-of-Way Permits
- Division 9 — Fire Permit Procedures
- Division 4 — Residential Base Zones
- Division 5 — Commercial Base Zones
- Division 6 — Industrial Base Zones
- Division 7 — Mixed-Use Base Zones
- Division 2 — Airport Approach Overlay Zone
- Division 3 — Airport Environs Overlay Zone
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