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Nevada County · Building on your lot

Building on a hillside in Nevada County

Nevada County's own rules on building on a hillside, with the code text for every value.

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

What Nevada County's code says

Nevada County code What Nevada County's code adds
Soils or geology report
  • A registered geotechnical engineer's written evaluation; a design-level geotechnical report if the engineer recommends one.
    Applies: Grading needing a permit on steep slopes (30% or more).
    § 12.04.213 · code text
    All grading within the defined area that requires a grading permit shall include an evaluation by a registered geotechnical engineer who shall provide a written determination as to whether a design level, geotechnical investigative report is recommended. If recommended by the geotechnical engineer, a design level geotechnical investigative report, prepared by a registered geotechnical engineer, shall be included with the grading permit.
Grading and retaining walls
  • Lot pad grading of at most 5,000 square feet.
    Applies: 1 single-family home on a steep slope (30% or more), on a parcel created before October 12, 1981; grading permit required.
    § 12.04.213 · code text
    Lot pad grading shall be limited in size to a maximum five thousand (5,000) square feet, to allow for the construction of the primary single-family residence, a garage, a yard, and parking area.
  • Cut or fill slopes at most 10 feet high.
    Applies: 1 single-family home on a steep slope (30% or more), on a parcel created before October 12, 1981.
    § 12.04.213 · code text
    Cut or fill slopes shall be designed and constructed to not exceed a vertical height of ten (10') feet.
  • Graded slopes no steeper than 2:1 (horizontal to vertical).
    Applies: Home site on a steep slope (30% or more); steeper only if a geotechnical engineer certifies it stable.
    § 12.04.213 · code text
    Slopes created by grading shall not exceed a ratio of two to one (2:1) (horizontal to vertical), unless a steeper slope is certified by a geotechnical engineer to be stable.
When hillside rules apply
  • 30% or more: only limited development, such as 1 single-family home on a qualifying parcel, or an approved management plan.
    Also applies to high erosion hazard areas.
    § 12.04.213 · code text
    Steep Slopes means slopes of thirty-plus percent (30+%).

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Nevada County?

Nevada County's code: 30% or more: only limited development, such as 1 single-family home on a qualifying parcel, or an approved management plan. (Also applies to high erosion hazard areas.) (§ 12.04.213); Lot pad grading of at most 5,000 square feet. (1 single-family home on a steep slope (30% or more), on a parcel created before October 12, 1981; grading permit required.) (§ 12.04.213).

General information, not legal advice.

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Nevada County Municipal Code — full text