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Elk Grove · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Elk Grove

Elk Grove'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 Elk Grove Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Elk Grove's code says

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
When a grading permit is needed
  • 350 cubic yards or more.
    Applies: Grading, filling, excavating, storing or disposing of soil; clearing and grubbing 1 acre or more also needs a permit.
    § 16.44.050 · code text
    grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of three hundred fifty (350 yd3) cubic yards or more of soil or earthy material
Grading without a permit
  • Less than 350 cubic yards, or less than 1 acre of land cleared and grubbed.
    Applies: Size-based exemption.
    § 16.44.060 · code text
    1. Grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of less than three hundred fifty (350 yd3) cubic yards of soil or earthy material; or 2. Clear and grub less than one (1) acre of land within the City;
  • Swimming pools, basements, footings of permitted structures, underground utilities, city-permitted mines or quarries, government refuse sites and planted crops.
    Applies: Applies to the listed activities.
    § 16.44.060 · code text
    a. Swimming pools, basements, or footings of structures if authorized by a valid building permit; b. Underground utilities; i. Mining or quarry operations, if a use permit has been granted by the City; ii. Refuse disposal sites operated by a governmental agency; iii. The production of planted agricultural crops;

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove's code: 350 cubic yards or more. (Grading, filling, excavating, storing or disposing of soil; clearing and grubbing 1 acre or more also needs a permit.) (§ 16.44.050); Less than 350 cubic yards, or less than 1 acre of land cleared and grubbed. (Size-based exemption.) (§ 16.44.060).

General information, not legal advice.

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Elk Grove Municipal Code — full text