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Rancho Santa Margarita · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Rancho Santa Margarita

Rancho Santa Margarita's own rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text for every value.

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

What Rancho Santa Margarita's code says

Rancho Santa Margarita code What Rancho Santa Margarita's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • Exempt, up to 50 cubic yards: digs under 2 feet; fills under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1.
    Applies: Per site. Also exempt: digs with no cut slope over 5 feet and steeper than 2:1; fills under 3 feet supporting nothing. No blocked drainage.
    § 10.12.060 · code text
    An Excavation which does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one Site and which (1) is less than two feet in vertical depth, or (2) which does not create a cut slope greater than five feet in vertical height and steeper than two horizontal to one vertical (2:1).
  • Exempt: digging for basements and footings of a structure with a valid building permit.
    Applies: Fill made from that digging, or a dig with an unsupported height over 5 feet, is not exempt.
    § 10.12.060 · code text
    An Excavation below Finished Grade for basements and footings of a building, Mobilehome, retaining wall, or other structure authorized by a valid building permit or construction permit.
Rainy-season limits
  • No grading over 200 cubic yards from October 1 to April 30 without an approved erosion and sediment control plan.
    Applies: Any single permitted grading site; the City Engineer may waive the plan.
    § 10.12.360 · code text
    No Grading work in excess of 200 cubic yards will be allowed between October 1st and April 30th on any single Grading Site under permit unless an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan has been approved or waived by the City Engineer.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Rancho Santa Margarita?

Rancho Santa Margarita's code: Exempt, up to 50 cubic yards: digs under 2 feet; fills under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1. (Per site. Also exempt: digs with no cut slope over 5 feet and steeper than 2:1; fills under 3 feet supporting nothing. No blocked drainage.) (§ 10.12.060); No grading over 200 cubic yards from October 1 to April 30 without an approved erosion and sediment control plan. (Any single permitted grading site; the City Engineer may waive the plan.) (§ 10.12.360).

General information, not legal advice.

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Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code — full text