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Santa Clarita · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita'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 Santa Clarita Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Santa Clarita's code says

Santa Clarita code What Santa Clarita's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • Digs under 2 feet deep, or with no cut slope both over 5 feet high and steeper than 2:1.
    Applies: Up to 50 cubic yards.
    § 17.81.010 · code text
    Excavation does not create a cut slope greater than five (5) feet in height measured vertically upward from the cut surface to the surface of the natural grade and steeper than two (2) units horizontal to one (1) unit vertical (fifty percent (50%) slope).
  • Fill under 3 feet deep, up to 50 cubic yards, with slopes no steeper than 2:1.
    Applies: Fill that does not support structures or block a drainage course.
    § 17.81.010 · code text
    Fill is less than three (3) feet in depth at its deepest point when measured vertically upward from natural grade to the surface of the fill, does not exceed fifty (50) cubic yards, and creates a fill slope no steeper than two (2) units horizontal to one (1) unit vertical (fifty percent (50%) slope);
  • Fill under 5 feet deep, up to 20 cubic yards, with slopes no steeper than 2:1.
    Applies: Fill that does not support structures or block a drainage course.
    § 17.81.010 · code text
    Fill is less than five (5) feet in depth at its deepest point when measured vertically upward from natural grade to the surface of the fill, does not exceed twenty (20) cubic yards, and creates a fill slope no steeper than two (2) units horizontal to one (1) unit vertical (fifty percent (50%) slope);
  • Digs for permitted basements and footings; utility trenches; wells.
    Applies: Not fill made from the dug material, or a dig left over 5 feet high and unsupported.
    § 17.81.010 · code text
    A grading permit shall not be required for the following:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Santa Clarita?

Santa Clarita's code: Digs under 2 feet deep, or with no cut slope both over 5 feet high and steeper than 2:1. (Up to 50 cubic yards.) (§ 17.81.010); Fill under 3 feet deep, up to 50 cubic yards, with slopes no steeper than 2:1. (Fill that does not support structures or block a drainage course.) (§ 17.81.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Santa Clarita's grading and erosion control rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Santa Clarita Municipal Code — full text