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Huntington Beach · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Huntington Beach

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

Ask about grading and erosion control in Huntington Beach See coverage

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

What Huntington Beach's code says

Huntington Beach code What Huntington Beach's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • Cuts up to 50 cubic yards: under 2 feet, or no slope over 5 feet high and steeper than 2:1.
    Applies: Fills up to 50 cubic yards per site: under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1, or under 3 feet without structures; no blocked drainage.
    § 17.05.050 · code text
    An excavation which does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one site and which is less than two feet in vertical depth, or which does not create a cut slope greater than five feet in vertical height and steeper than two to one vertical (2:1).
  • No permit for basement and footing digs below finished grade under a valid building permit.
    Applies: Not fill made from the dug material, or digs with an unsupported height over 5 feet.
    § 17.05.050 · code text
    An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, mobile home, retaining wall, or other structure authorized by a valid building permit or construction permit.
Rainy-season limits
  • October 1 to April 30: no grading over 200 cubic yards on one permitted site.
    Applies: Unless the Director approves or waives an erosion control system.
    § 17.05.310 · code text
    No grading work in excess of 200 cubic yards will be allowed between October 1st and April 30th on any single grading site under permit unless an erosion control system has been approved or waived by the Director.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Huntington Beach?

Huntington Beach's code: Cuts up to 50 cubic yards: under 2 feet, or no slope over 5 feet high and steeper than 2:1. (Fills up to 50 cubic yards per site: under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1, or under 3 feet without structures; no blocked drainage.) (§ 17.05.050); October 1 to April 30: no grading over 200 cubic yards on one permitted site. (Unless the Director approves or waives an erosion control system.) (§ 17.05.310).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Huntington Beach's grading and erosion control rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Huntington Beach Municipal Code — full text