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Grading and erosion control in Union City

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

What Union City's code says

Union City code What Union City's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • Up to 50 cubic yards disturbed, stored or used as fill, with no off-site hauling or blocked drainage.
    Applies: Exempt at the Public Works Director's discretion.
    § 21.08.030 · code text
    H. Any activity where total volume of material disturbed, stored, disposed of or used as fill does not exceed fifty cubic yards, and which does not involve off-site hauling of excavated or imported material, and which does not obstruct a drainage course;
  • Up to 5 cubic yards disturbed, stored, disposed of or used as fill.
    Applies: Always exempt.
    § 21.08.030 · code text
    I. Section 21.08.010 and subsections A through G of Section 21.08.020 notwithstanding, any activity where total volume of material disturbed, stored, disposed of or used as fill does not exceed five cubic yards is always exempt from the permit requirements.
  • Permitted basement and footing excavation, and well digging.
    Applies: May be exempt at the Public Works Director's discretion; not fill made from it or unsupported cuts over 5 feet.
    § 21.08.030 · code text
    A. An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall or other structure authorized by a valid building permit;
  • Excavation for a permitted structure, including basements and footings; wells or utility trenches.
    Applies: Exempt from a grading permit under the building code; other on-site grading may still need a permit.
    § 15.85.070 · code text
    1. Excavation for construction of a structure permitted under the Uniform Building Code (UBC), including an excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall or other structure authorized by a valid building permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Union City?

Union City's code: Up to 50 cubic yards disturbed, stored or used as fill, with no off-site hauling or blocked drainage. (Exempt at the Public Works Director's discretion.) (§ 21.08.030); Up to 5 cubic yards disturbed, stored, disposed of or used as fill. (Always exempt.) (§ 21.08.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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