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Grading and erosion control in Brisbane

Brisbane's own rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Brisbane Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Brisbane's code says

Brisbane code What Brisbane's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • No permit: digging 5 cubic yards or less per site, under 2 feet deep, with no cut slope over 2:1.
    Applies: Sections 15.01.340 and 15.01.350 still apply.
    § 15.01.140 · code text
    An excavation which does not exceed five (5) cubic yards on any one site and is less than two (2) feet in vertical depth and which does not create a cut slope steeper than two feet horizontal to one vertical (2:1).
  • No permit: fill under 1 foot deep on ground flatter than 5:1, 5 cubic yards or less, not blocking drainage.
    Applies: Section 15.01.340 still applies.
    § 15.01.140 · code text
    A fill less than one foot in depth placed on natural grade with a slope flatter than five (5) horizontal to one vertical (5:1), which does not exceed five (5) cubic yards on any one site and does not obstruct a drainageway.
Rainy-season limits
  • Grading in the wet season is not allowed unless the city engineer gives permission.
    Applies: Applies to any grading during the wet season.
    § 15.01.450 · code text
    Commencement or continuation of any grading during the wet season is prohibited unless the city engineer grants permission as provided in this section.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Brisbane?

Brisbane's code: No permit: digging 5 cubic yards or less per site, under 2 feet deep, with no cut slope over 2:1. (Sections 15.01.340 and 15.01.350 still apply.) (§ 15.01.140); Grading in the wet season is not allowed unless the city engineer gives permission. (Applies to any grading during the wet season.) (§ 15.01.450).

General information, not legal advice.

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Brisbane Municipal Code — full text