Building on a hillside in La Cañada Flintridge

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

What La Cañada Flintridge's code says

La Cañada Flintridge code What La Cañada Flintridge's code adds
Soils or geology report	A soils engineering report and a geology report are required. Applies: Hillside projects that change the existing ground shape. § 11.35.050 · code text Where alteration to existing topography is proposed: a. A soils engineering report which shall contain, but not be limited to:
Grading and retaining walls	Grading over 50 cubic yards needs the director's review and approval. Applies: Hillside development, whether or not the grading is retained. § 11.35.042 · code text Any grading volume exceeding 50 cubic yards, whether or not retained, is subject to director's review approval or incorporation into a higher level of approval. Cut slopes at most 10 feet high where seen, or no higher than the structure that hides them. Applies: Hillside home or accessory sites, unless approved at an administrative or higher hearing; exposed retaining walls count toward slope height. § 11.35.042 · code text Unless approved at an administrative (or higher) hearing, the sum of the vertical heights, at any one section through the site, of any finished cut slopes created for the purpose of developing a residential dwelling or accessory use site, shall be limited to the height of the proposed structure wherever it is to be concealed from general view by that structure, or to a maximum of ten feet where exposed to general view. Exposed cut slopes no steeper than the average existing grade plus 20%, and within building code limits. Applies: Hillside sites, unless approved at an administrative or higher hearing. § 11.35.042 · code text and shall be further limited to the average existing grade plus 20% grade. Fill slopes no steeper than the average natural grade plus 20%, and within building code limits. Applies: Hillside sites, unless approved at an administrative or higher hearing. § 11.35.042 · code text and shall be limited to the average natural grade plus 20% grade. Fill slopes at most 10 feet high. Applies: Hillside home sites, unless approved at an administrative or higher hearing. § 11.35.042 · code text Unless approved at an administrative (or higher) hearing, the vertical height of any finished fill slope created for the purpose of developing a residential dwelling site shall not exceed ten feet. Combined cut and fill slopes at most 8 feet high. Applies: Hillside driveways or roads, unless approved through administrative or higher review. § 11.35.042 · code text For a driveway or roadway, the maximum total vertical height of any combination of finished cut and fill slopes from grade shall not exceed eight feet unless approved through administrative (or higher) review.
When hillside rules apply	Average lot slope of 40% or more. Applies: Projects on these lots need extra findings on bulk, fire, flood and slide risk, and neighbors' privacy. § 11.35.060 · code text Additionally, for any project on a lot or parcel with an average slope of 40% or greater:

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What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in La Cañada Flintridge?

La Cañada Flintridge's code: Average lot slope of 40% or more. (Projects on these lots need extra findings on bulk, fire, flood and slide risk, and neighbors' privacy.) (§ 11.35.060); Grading over 50 cubic yards needs the director's review and approval. (Hillside development, whether or not the grading is retained.) (§ 11.35.042).

Building on a hillside in La Cañada Flintridge

What La Cañada Flintridge's code says

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