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Building on a hillside in Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley's own rules on building on a hillside, with the code text for every value.

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

What Scotts Valley's code says

Scotts Valley code What Scotts Valley's code adds
Soils or geology report
  • An engineering geology report must find the site suitable.
    Applies: New lots whose building envelope averages over 25% slope.
    § 17.40.050 · code text
    No new lots shall be created with an average slope of the building envelope exceeding twenty-five percent unless an engineering geology report finds the site to be suitable for such construction.
  • An engineering geology report must find the site suitable for all proposed construction.
    Applies: Existing building sites averaging over 25% slope.
    § 17.40.050 · code text
    Building sites with an average slope exceeding twenty-five percent shall have an engineering geology report prepared. Said report must find the site to be suitable for all construction proposed.
  • A preliminary geologic and soils report is required.
    Applies: Subdividing any parcel in an HR district, unless the planning director finds existing information makes it unnecessary.
    § 17.40.040 · code text
    A preliminary geologic and soils investigation report prepared by a registered engineering geologist certified by the state or by a registered civil engineer qualified in soils mechanics by the state, shall be filed in conjunction with the site development plan
Grading and retaining walls
  • No grading on parts of a site steeper than 30% without planning commission approval.
    Applies: Existing lots and new building sites.
    § 17.40.050 · code text
    Portions of a site exceeding thirty percent slope shall not be graded without approval by the planning commission.
  • Visible cut or fill slopes no steeper than 3:1.
    Applies: The planning commission may approve slopes up to 2:1 when the result looks better or is more stable.
    § 17.40.050 · code text
    Visible cut or fill slopes shall not exceed three horizontal to one vertical (3:1); provided, however, that slopes as steep as two horizontal to one vertical (2:1) may be approved by the planning commission
When hillside rules apply
  • No new lots averaging 40% slope or more.
    Applies: Creating new building sites.
    § 17.40.050 · code text
    No new lots shall be created with an average slope of forty percent or more.
  • No structures or driveways on building pads averaging 40% slope or more.
    Applies: Existing lots of record.
    § 17.40.050 · code text
    No structures or driveways shall be proposed on building pads with an average slope of forty percent or more.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Scotts Valley?

Scotts Valley's code: No new lots averaging 40% slope or more. (Creating new building sites.) (§ 17.40.050); No grading on parts of a site steeper than 30% without planning commission approval. (Existing lots and new building sites.) (§ 17.40.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Scotts Valley Municipal Code — full text