Building on a hillside in Ojai: the local rules

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

What Ojai's code says

Ojai code What Ojai's code adds
Soils or geology report	A land condition report covering soil type, Soil Conservation Service land capability class and geologic features is required. Applies: Grading permit applications. § 9-11.203 · code text (2) A physical land condition report, including the soil series and type, designation of Soil Conservation Service Land Capability classification, and geologic features, such as landslides and any other critical area conditions, such as gullied areas, soil depth, erodibility, and capability for establishing vegetation; A written report of subsurface investigation findings and recommendations is required. Applies: Grading with cuts over 10 feet, fills over 20 feet, side-hill fills on slopes over 16%, or signs of landslides or high groundwater. § 9-11.203 · code text Where any of the particular conditions set forth in subsection (3) of this subsection is found, the subsurface investigations shall consist of drilling, excavations, or observations of naturally exposed soil and bedrock exposures at sufficient intervals and depths to indicate the type of material or condition to be encountered at the final grading. The person or firm making the investigation shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations;
Grading and retaining walls	Generally no higher than 36 inches. Applies: Retaining walls in hillside development (a design guideline). § 10-2.1104 · code text Generally, no retaining wall should be higher than 36 inches.
Height on hillside lots	No more than 16 feet above the highest ridgeline or hilltop point within 100 feet. Applies: The parcel has no feasible building site except where a structure would rise above the ridgeline. § 10-2.1105 · code text proposed structures shall not exceed a height of 16 feet above the highest point on the ridgeline or hilltop within 100 feet of the proposed structure.
When hillside rules apply	Side-hill fills on existing slopes steeper than 16% need a subsurface evaluation. Applies: Grading permit applications. § 9-11.203 · code text (iv) The side hill fills to be placed on existing slopes steeper than 16%;

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Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Ojai?

Ojai's code: Side-hill fills on existing slopes steeper than 16% need a subsurface evaluation. (Grading permit applications.) (§ 9-11.203); Generally no higher than 36 inches. (Retaining walls in hillside development (a design guideline).) (§ 10-2.1104).

Building on a hillside in Ojai

What Ojai's code says

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