Building on a hillside in Hemet: the local rules

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

What Hemet's code says

Hemet code What Hemet's code adds
Grading and retaining walls	Graded slopes may be no steeper than 2:1 (50%). Applies: Hillside development overlay zone; steeper only with a soils report and stabilization study. § 90-941 · code text Slopes created by grading of the site shall not exceed 50 percent or 2:1, without a soils report and stabilization study indicating a greater permissible slope; or shall not exceed 30 feet in height between terraces or benches. Graded slopes may be no more than 30 feet high between terraces or benches. Applies: Hillside development overlay zone. § 90-941 · code text Slopes created by grading of the site shall not exceed 50 percent or 2:1, without a soils report and stabilization study indicating a greater permissible slope; or shall not exceed 30 feet in height between terraces or benches. Upslope retaining walls may be no higher than 6 feet. Applies: Hillside development. § 90-942 · code text Upslope not exceeding six feet in height. Downslope retaining walls may be no higher than 42 inches. Applies: Hillside development. § 90-942 · code text Downslope not exceeding 42 inches in height may be used. 1 retaining wall on each side of the lot, no higher than 42 inches. Applies: Hillside lots that slope with the access street. § 90-942 · code text One retaining wall on each side of the lot may be used not exceeding 42 inches in height. These walls may be over 6 feet tall if necessary. Applies: Retaining walls next to driveway walls that are part of the building, hillside development. § 90-942 · code text Retaining walls adjacent to driveway walls being an integral part of the structure may exceed six feet in height if necessary. Exposed retaining walls facing roads may be no higher than 5 feet. Applies: Hillside development. § 90-942 · code text Exposed retaining walls facing roadways shall be not greater than five feet in height.

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Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Hemet?

Hemet's code: Graded slopes may be no steeper than 2:1 (50%). (Hillside development overlay zone; steeper only with a soils report and stabilization study.) (§ 90-941); Graded slopes may be no more than 30 feet high between terraces or benches. (Hillside development overlay zone.) (§ 90-941).

Building on a hillside in Hemet

What Hemet's code says

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