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Pleasant Hill · Building on your lot

Building on a hillside in Pleasant Hill

Hillside zone grading is limited to 30% of the gross site area on 15% to 29.9% slopes, and 15% on slopes over 29.9%.

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Key points

  • Hillside grading: Hillside zone grading is limited to 30% of the gross site area on 15% to 29.9% slopes, and 15% on slopes over 29.9%.

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

What Pleasant Hill's code says

Pleasant Hill code What Pleasant Hill's code adds
Grading and retaining walls
  • Grading on no more than 30% of the gross site area.
    Applies: Hillside zone lots with 15% to 29.9% slopes.
    § 18.35.040 · code text
    On lots with 15% to 29.9% slopes, the grading is limited to no more than 30% of the gross site area.
  • Grading on no more than 15% of the gross site area.
    Applies: Hillside zone slopes over 29.9%.
    § 18.35.040 · code text
    On slopes in excess of 29.9%, the grading is limited to no more than 15% of the gross site area.
Height on hillside lots
  • No higher than 35 feet.
    Applies: Any home or structure in the hillside zone.
    § 18.35.040 · code text
    No dwelling or structure shall exceed a height of 35 feet.
When hillside rules apply
  • An average slope of 15% or more.
    Applies: Residential sites with this slope are placed in the hillside zone.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    The HPUD zoning district shall be imposed upon any lot or site that has a residential General Plan land use designation and an average slope of 15% or greater.
  • An average slope of 15% or more.
    Applies: Residential lots in other zones subdivided to maximum density follow only the hillside grading, coverage, height and design standards.
    § 18.35.020 · code text
    Residential lots, with an average slope of 15% or greater, which are subdivided to their maximum density and in a zoning district other than HPUD shall be subject only to the standards established in Sections 18.35.040B, D, and E (Development Standards for Hillside Development) and Section 18.35.050 (Design Standards for Hillside Development).

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Pleasant Hill?

Hillside zone grading is limited to 30% of the gross site area on 15% to 29.9% slopes, and 15% on slopes over 29.9%.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Pleasant Hill property

Ask GoCodebook how Pleasant Hill's building on a hillside rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Pleasant Hill Municipal Code — full text