Building on a hillside in La Verne: the local rules

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

What La Verne's code says

La Verne code What La Verne's code adds
Soils or geology report	An independent engineering study of soil instability, liquefaction, landslide and seismic risk is required. Applies: All development in a geologic hazard special study zone. § 18.68.080 · code text All proposed development within a geologic hazard special study zone must undergo independent engineering study concerning the potential impact of soil instability, liquefaction, landslide and seismic potential. Slope stability must be reviewed during a geotechnical study. Applies: All parts of the hillside study area. § 18.68.080 · code text All portions of the hillside study area shall be subject to a review of slope stability conditions during a geotechnical investigation of a project's feasibility. A groundwater study must locate underground springs, streams and high water tables. Applies: Projects in the hillside development area; done by a licensed or certified consultant the city selects. § 18.68.080 · code text A groundwater study shall be required to determine location of underground springs, streams and high water table conditions.
Grading and retaining walls	Grading may not exceed the minimum needed to fit the structures properly. Applies: Hillside development overlay zone, as the community development director decides. § 18.68.080 · code text Grading shall not exceed the minimum necessary to accommodate structures properly, as determined by the community development director or designee. Fill may average no more than 5 feet deep. Applies: Any building pad, lot or slope in the hillside development area. § 18.68.080 · code text Fill shall not exceed an average depth of five feet nor cuts an average height of eight feet within any building pad, lot or slope in the hillside development area. Cuts may average no more than 8 feet high. Applies: Any building pad, lot or slope in the hillside development area. § 18.68.080 · code text Fill shall not exceed an average depth of five feet nor cuts an average height of eight feet within any building pad, lot or slope in the hillside development area. Finished slopes no steeper than 50% (2:1). Applies: Hillside development overlay zone; except at vehicle access points and beneath structures. § 18.68.080 · code text No finished slopes greater than fifty percent (2:1) may be created except: Slopes created beneath structures no steeper than 67% (1 1/2:1). Applies: Hillside development overlay zone. § 18.68.080 · code text Beneath structures where the maximum created slope is limited to sixty-seven percent (1 1/2:1) or less.
When hillside rules apply	No development on slopes of 25% or more. Applies: Hillside overlay zone; the city council may allow general-plan roads, or development when denial would prevent any reasonable use of the property. § 18.68.080 · code text Development on slopes of twenty-five percent or greater shall be prohibited except that the city council may permit roads required by the general plan which pass through areas of twenty-five percent slope Over 10% slope: no conventional mass grading; landform or contour grading is required. Applies: Hillside development overlay zone. § 18.68.080 · code text Conventional mass grading practices in areas exceeding ten percent slope shall be prohibited.

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What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in La Verne?

La Verne's code: No development on slopes of 25% or more. (Hillside overlay zone; the city council may allow general-plan roads, or development when denial would prevent any reasonable use of the property.) (§ 18.68.080); Grading may not exceed the minimum needed to fit the structures properly. (Hillside development overlay zone, as the community development director decides.) (§ 18.68.080).

Building on a hillside in La Verne

What La Verne's code says

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