Grading and erosion control in Poway: the local rules

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

What Poway's code says

Poway code What Poway's code adds
Erosion control plan	An erosion control plan is required with every grading plan. § 16.48.020 · code text All grading plans, regardless of the date of submittal, shall include an erosion control plan designed to limit erosion of all disturbed portions of the property
Steepest cut or fill slope	No steeper than 2:1, which is 2 horizontal to 1 vertical. Applies: Fill slopes, not counting benches or terraces. § 16.50.020 · code text Fill slopes shall be no steeper than two horizontal to one vertical (2:1), exclusive of benches or terraces. No fill slopes on natural slopes steeper than 2:1. Also none within 12 feet of a cut slope top or on Friars Formation, unless a soils expert shows stability and the City Engineer approves. § 16.50.020 · code text Fill slopes shall not be constructed on natural slopes steeper than two horizontal to one vertical (2:1)
Grading without a permit	Minor landscaping or recreation grading: up to 250 cubic yards and 3 feet deep; slopes up to 5 feet high. Applies: Developed lots; slopes 3:1 or flatter; at least 10 feet from structures and 3 feet from property lines; not in easements or planned building areas. § 16.42.010 · code text Does not create a cut or fill slope greater than five feet in height nor a slope steeper than three horizontal to one vertical (3:1); Digs under 2 feet deep and up to 50 cubic yards per site. Applies: No cut slope over 2 feet high and steeper than 2:1; must not affect slope stability or drainage; not in open space, waterways or floodplains. § 16.42.010 · code text An excavation less than two feet in vertical depth which does not create a cut slope greater than two feet in vertical height and steeper than two horizontal to one vertical (2:1) which does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one site Fill under 2 feet deep, up to 50 cubic yards per lot, on natural ground flatter than 5:1. Applies: Must not block a drainage course; not in open space, waterways or floodplains. § 16.42.010 · code text A fill less than two feet in depth, placed on natural grade with a slope flatter than five horizontal to one vertical (5:1), which does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one lot Excavation for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall, septic system, well or structure under a valid building permit. Applies: Not fill made from the excavated material, or an excavation left unsupported and more than 2 feet high. § 16.42.010 · code text An excavation below finished grade for recompaction within the building zone (within five feet of footings) or for basements and footings for a building, mobile home, retaining wall, septic system, well, or structure authorized by a valid building permit.

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What are the grading rules in Poway?

Poway's code: Minor landscaping or recreation grading: up to 250 cubic yards and 3 feet deep; slopes up to 5 feet high. (Developed lots; slopes 3:1 or flatter; at least 10 feet from structures and 3 feet from property lines; not in easements or planned building areas.) (§ 16.42.010); An erosion control plan is required with every grading plan. (§ 16.48.020).

Grading and erosion control in Poway

What Poway's code says

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