Grading permits are required within the unincorporated area of El Dorado
County to safeguard life, limb, health, property and public welfare;
to avoid pollution of watercourses; and to ensure that the intended use
of a graded site is consistent with the General
Plan, any Specific Plans, the Storm Water Management Plan, California
Fire Safe Standards, and applicable El Dorado County ordinances including
the Zoning Ordinance and the California Building Code.
If the property is within the architecturally controlled area of El
Dorado Hills Community Service District or the Cameron
Park Community Services District approval of the plans from the
district prior to permit issuance is a requirement. Failure to obtain
approval may delay issuance of your grading permit. Check with your
individual association for any restrictions that may affect your
grading plan. Even though Building Services does not enforce these
restrictions, you may be subject to a civil action.
Who can apply: A grading permit
application can be submitted by the following entities:
The landowner of record.
A licensed contractor acting as agent for the landowner. The
contractor must have an active State of California Contractor’s
License and a current El
Dorado County Business License.
Any person authorized in writing to act as agent for the landowner.
A notarized Letter of Authorization signed by the landowner is
required in this circumstance.
Application
requirements: Upon the determination that a grading permit
is required, an application must be submitted to the Development
Services Department Permit Center to begin County review. The
application must include an application
form and submittal checklist, and grading plans that include
the following components:
Grading plans: Grading
plans submitted to the County in support of a permit application
shall be prepared by qualified individuals as discussed in the “qualifications” section
and shall include the following:
Certification: The signature and professional
stamp of a Civil Engineer except as provided in the “qualifications” section
below.
Plan size: Plans shall be submitted on
sheets 24 inches by 36 inches unless an alternate paper size
has been approved by the Director.
Number of copies: A minimum of three complete
sets of grading plans shall be submitted.
Title block: Plans shall be entitled "Grading
Plan" and state the purpose of the proposed grading. The
name of the engineer responsible for plan preparation and the
Project Engineer shall be listed. The title block shall be located
at the lower right corner or along the right edge of the plan
sheet.
Topographic features: Accurate contour lines
drawn at intervals not greater than twofeet
of elevation, unless an alternate interval has been authorized
by the Director, depicting topographic features and drainage
patterns and the configuration of the ground before and after
grading in the area proposed to be disturbed and immediately
adjacent areas, relative to a bench mark established on‑site.
Topographic maps shall be prepared by an engineer, surveyor or
other qualified person.
Limits of grading: The plans shall clearly
delineate the boundaries between areas of cut, areas of fill
placement, and areas that would remain at natural or pre-existing
grade.
Property boundaries: Property lines and
easements shall be clearly marked.
Construction details: Construction details for
roads (including structural pavement sections), man-made watercourses,
culverts, bridges and drainage devices, retaining walls, cribbing,
dams, and other improvements existing or to be constructed, together
with supporting calculations and maps as required.
Cross sections: Cross‑sections,
profiles, elevations, dimensions and construction details shall
be provided based on accurate field data.
Erosion control: A detailed erosion and sediment
control plan prepared consistent with the standards listed below.
Landscape plan: When required by the Director,
a landscaping plan, including temporary erosion control plantings,
permanent drought‑resistant slope plantings, replacement
of temporary groundcover, and irrigation facilities. (Not required
for an Agricultural Grading Permit.)
Material volume estimate: An estimate of the
quantities of excavation and fill, adjusted for anticipated swell
or shrinkage.
Stockpiles and borrow sites: The location of
any on-site stockpile, borrow site, or location for storage of
surplus material.
Project Engineer: The name and contact
information of the Project Engineer shall be identified on the
plans.
Certificate block: A Certificate block
(i.e. signature block for licensed professionals) as required
by the Director, shall be provided on the cover sheet of the
project plans.
Cost estimate: The applicant shall submit a
detailed cost estimate covering the proposed work, except if
the project is limited to the grading associated with a single
family dwelling.
Erosion and sediment
control plans: Erosion and sediment control plans shall
comply with the adopted County Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) and all of the following:
General requirements:
Erosion and sediment control plans shall be designed to prevent
increased discharge of sediment at all stages of grading
and development from initial disturbance of the ground to
project completion and shall be consistent with all local,
state, and federal rules and regulations.
Plans shall be designed with long‑term erosion and
sediment control as a primary consideration. Every feasible
effort shall be made to ensure that site stabilization is
permanent.
Plans shall indicate the timing of each erosion control measure
proposed relative to the stage of construction.
Short-term and long-term erosion control measures must be
included in all plans. Implementation of short-term measures,
however, may not be necessary based on the timing of completion
of grading operations.
Runoff shall not be discharged from the site in quantities
or at velocities substantially above those which occurred
before grading except into drainage facilities found by the
Director to be adequate to convey the estimated increase
in runoff.
Criteria for when an Erosion Control Plan is required: An
erosion and sediment control plan shall be required whenever:
The graded portion of the site includes more than ten thousand
(10,000)square feet of area for a non-agricultural
grading project or more than one acre of area for an agricultural
grading project.
There is a significant risk that more than two thousand five
hundred (2,500)square feet will be unprotected
or inadequately protected from erosion during any portion
of the rainy season.
Grading will occur within twenty feet of any pre-existing
watercourse.
Grading would occur within the 100-year event flood plain.
The Director determines that the grading could potentially
result in significant erosion or sediment discharge.
Depiction on plans: The erosion and sediment
control plan need not be a separate sheet if all facilities and
measures can be shown on the grading sheets without obscuring
the clarity of either the grading plan or the erosion and sediment
control plan.
Revegetation: Erosion and sediment control
plans shall include an effective revegetation program to stabilize
all disturbed areas which will not be otherwise protected. All
such areas where grading has been completed between May 1st and
October 15th shall be planted and stabilized as soon as possible
after the completion of grading but in no case later than by
October 15 or at the recommendation of the Resources Conservation
District or the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Graded
areas disturbed at other times of the year shall be planted within
fifteen days after the completion of the work. If
revegetation is infeasible or cannot be expected to stabilize
an erodible area with assurance during any part of the rainy
season, additional erosion and sediment control measures shall
be required as appropriate to prevent increased sediment discharge.
During the rainy season, the smallest practical area of erodible
land shall be exposed at any one time. Adequate provision shall
be made for long‑term maintenance of permanent erosion‑control
vegetation.
Professional recommendations: Erosion
and sediment control plans shall comply with the recommendations
of theCivil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer,
Engineering Geologist, or Landscape Architect as incorporated
in the approved grading plans.
Engineered facilities: The structural
and hydraulic adequacy of all storm water containment or conveyance
facilities shown on the erosion and sediment control plans shall
be certified by a Civil Engineer through stamp and signature
on the accepted plans. Sufficient calculations and supporting
material to demonstrate such adequacy shall accompany the plans
when submitted. Adequate provision shall be made for long‑term
maintenance of permanent erosion‑control and sediment‑control
structures.
Site conditions: Erosion and sediment control
plans shall be designed to address the soil, geologic and precipitation
field conditions that can be anticipated during the proposed
construction season.
Topsoil salvage: No topsoil shall be removed
from the site unless otherwise directed or authorized by the
Director. Topsoil overburden shall be stockpiled and redistributed
within the graded area after rough grading to provide a suitable
base for seeding and planting. Runoff from the stockpiled area
shall be controlled to prevent erosion and resultant sedimentation
of receiving water.
Inspection and repair: Erosion and sediment
control plans shall provide specific procedures for inspection
and repair of all erosion and sediment control facilities at
the close of each working day during the rainy season and for
sediment cleanout and vegetation maintenance.
Compliance: Erosion and sediment control
plans shall comply with any and all standards and specifications
adopted herein for the control of erosion and sedimentation on
grading sites. Vegetation establishment practices shall be in
general compliance with the current edition of theVegetation
Establishment Guidelines for the Sierra Nevada Foothills
and Mountainspublished by High Sierra
Resource Conservation and Development Council.
Grading Plan Preparers
Qualifications:
In accordance with State Law, the preparers of site grading and drainage
plans are required to meet certain licensing qualifications as outlined
below.
Topographic surveys: Surveys of existing grades
for the purpose of preparing a site grading and drainage plan
shall be performed by either a Land Surveyor or any Civil Engineer.
Grading and Drainage Plan: Preparation of a
site grading and drainage plan must be prepared by a Civil Engineer,
except as otherwise allowed under the “waiver” provisions
listed below.
Driveway profile: The preparation of a profile
for a driveway shall be prepared by either a Land Surveyor or
any Civil Engineer.
Plot plan: Plot plans indicating the
location of all structures relative to property lines must be
prepared by a licensed Land Surveyor or a Civil Engineer licensed
before January 1, 1982 if the work includes the determination
of property boundaries. A Civil Engineer licensed after January
1, 1982 may prepare a plot plan as described above provided that
the property boundaries have been delineated on the site by a
licensed Land Surveyor (or a Civil Engineer licensed prior to
January 1, 1982) in accordance with Section 8726 of the Business
and Professions Code. For minor projects that do not involve
new buildings, the Director may accept for permit processing
alternative information that meets the intent of these requirements.
Plan of existing conditions: Site plans indicating “existing” drainage
and access improvements are considered topographic surveys and
must be prepared by a Land Surveyor or Civil Engineer.
Waiver of
the requirement for engineer prepared plans:
The requirement that grading plans submitted for County review be prepared,
signed and stamped by a Civil Engineer may be waived by the Director
if all of the following conditions are met:
The proposed grading would not endanger public health, safety
or welfare.
Cuts and fills do not exceed acombined total
of five hundred (500) cubic yards.
The grading does not involve an access road serving three or
more existing or potential residences.
A fill intended to support structures is not proposed;
All proposed cuts or fills would be designed to avoid adverse
affects on any adjacent structure or property;
The construction of drainage or sediment-control structures,
culverts or facilities would not be required.
The alteration of an existing drainage course would not occur;
An unstable slope condition would not be created..
The grading would not affect the channelized flow of the 100-year
storm event.
The plan is prepared by the property owner of record for the
subject parcel as allowed under Section 6744 of the Business
and Professions Code.
The submitted plans meet all other requirements of the County
Design and Improvement Standards Manual.
Typical Design Standards
Design Standards Summary
The design standards for grading are presented in detail in Volume
III of the County Design and Improvement Standards Manual. Provided
below in summary form are the key standards common to most grading
projects.
(Excerpts from Volume III of the County Design and Improvement
Standards Manual)
Excavation – cut
slope standards:
Slope steepness: No excavation shall be
made with a cut face steeper in slope than two horizontal to
one vertical (2:1), exclusive of required terraces and roundings.
Terrace requirements: For cut slopes up
to 60 feet in height, terraces at least 8 feet (2.4 meters) in
width shall be established at not more than 30-foot (9.1 meters)
vertical intervals on all cut slopes to control surface drainage
and debris except that where only one terrace is required, it
shall be at midheight.
Terrace rounding: Cut slopes shall be rounded
into the existing terrain to produce a contoured transition from
cut face to natural ground.
Fill
Construction Standards:
Ground preparation for fill placement: The natural
ground surface shall be prepared to receive fill by the removal
of all unsuitable material such as vegetation, top soil, landslide
deposits or other unstable earth material and existing fill not
installed in conformance with this ordinance.
Placement of fill: Fills shall be constructed
in layers. The loose thickness of each layer of fill material
before compaction shall not exceed eight inches.
Slope steepness: No fill shall be constructed
with a face steeper in slope than two horizontal to one vertical
(2:1), exclusive of required terraces.
Terrace requirements: For fill slopes
up to 60 feet in height, terraces at least 8 feet (2.4 meters)
in width shall be established at not more than 30-foot (9.1 meters)
vertical intervals on all fill slopes to control surface drainage
and debris except that where only one terrace is required, it
shall be at mid-height. Terraces shall slope a minimum of 5 percent
gradient toward the hillside and be accessible for maintenance.
Drainage:
General requirements: Drainage structures and
facilities shall be designed and constructed in accordance with
the standards included in this Volume, other applicable sections
of the Design and Improvement Standards Manual, the County Drainage
Manual, the California Building Code, Natural
Resource Conservation Service guidelines, and other documents
as determined by the Director.
Disposal requirements: All drainage facilities
shall be designed to convey surface runoff and subsurface waters
to the nearest available street, storm drain, watercourse, detention
basin or other disposal point adequate to accommodate the estimated
flow from the proposed development as determined by the Director.
Codes & Exemptions
Applicability of permit requirement:
Pursuant to Section 15.14.130 of the County Grading
Ordinance, a grading permit is required for earth moving
activities conducted on private property within the unincorporated
area of El Dorado County in order to protect neighboring properties,
public welfare and water quality of streams, rivers and lakes.
In order for a permit to be granted, a proposed grading project
must be consistent with the County General
Plan, any applicable Specific Plan, the County Grading Ordinance,
the County Design
and Improvement Standards Manual, and the Building
Code currently in force.
Exemptions:
In accordance with Section 15.14.140 of the County Grading Ordinance,
the following categories of grading projects are exempt from the
requirement of obtaining a grading permit except where such grading
would create a cut or fill that could potentially endanger any structure
intended for human or animal occupancy, threaten the stability of
any public road, or obstruct any watercourse or drainage conduit.
Projects located in the Tahoe Basin are not eligible for the exemptions
listed below pursuant to Section 15.14.150, "Tahoe Basin special
restrictions”.
Exempt projects shall comply with all other requirements of this Chapter,
CEQA, the County Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) and all other
relevant codes and ordinances.
Single family dwellings and accessory structures that conform
to all of the following design parameters:
The volume of graded material is less than 50 cubic yards.
All cuts are less than five feet in height.
All fills are less than three feet in height.
The area of soil disturbance is less than 10,000 square feet.
No potentially unstable slopes or areas subject to erosion
are created, as determined by the Director.
Grading activities do not encroach into septic effluent disposal
areas.
Drainage is not directed into a septic effluent disposal
area.
Fills are not intended for support of structural improvements,
including flatwork concrete, driveways, roads, and buildings.
The grading activities would notalter previously
placed erosion control materials or drainage facilities.
Multi-family residential or commercial/industrial projects that
conform to all of the design parameters in Section 15.14.140.A
above and for which a waiver of the requirement for a grading
permit has been authorized by the Director.
Grading that conforms to all of the design parameters in Section
15.14.140.A above necessary to conduct soil, geotechnical, geological,
or environmental studies by engineers, geologists, environmental
health specialists or soil scientists in which the disturbed
areas are subsequently restored to substantially the pre-existing
condition.
Grading done under the supervision of a County agency for which
the Board of Supervisors is the controlling body, or a public
agency governed by an elected Board of Directors.
Excavation and placement of fill associated with the installation,
maintenance, repair or replacement of facilities for the production,
generation, storage, treatment, or transmission of water, wastewater
(including recycled water), or electrical energy by a utility
company regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission,
a public agency governed by an elected Board of Directors, an
agency of the State of California or an agency of the United
States of America.
Excavations for the foundation of a building or structure where
the construction of such building or structure has been authorized
by a Building Permit issued by the County.
Trenching and grading incidental to the construction or installation
of county‑approved underground pipelines, septic tank disposal
fields, conduits, electrical or communication facilities, and
drilling or excavation for approved wells or post holes.
Grading in accordance with plans and specifications incorporated
into an approved surface mining permit, reclamation plan, or
solidwaste facilities permit.
Grading involving the ongoing operations of a vested mining facility
that is conducted in conformance with an approved reclamation
plan.
Maintenance of existing firebreaks and roads to keep the firebreak
or road substantially in its original condition.
Routine cemetery excavations and fills.
Excavation within the public Right-of-Way under the authority
of an Encroachment Permit issued by the County.
Installation of miscellaneous fills, such as landscape fills,
that contains less than 50 cubic yards of material and conform
to the design parameters listed in Section 15.14.140.A of this
Chapter.
Construction of miscellaneous cuts that involve less than 50
cubic yards of excavation and conform to the design parameters
listed in Section 15.14.140.A of this Chapter.
Agricultural grading activities that convert less than one acre
of undisturbed vegetation to agricultural cropland.
Agricultural grading or other practices, including fuel reduction
and fire protection, that do not substantially change the natural
contour of the land and that use “best management practices” as
recommended by the County Agricultural Commission and adopted
by the Board of Supervisors.
Inspection
Construction schedule:
When required by the Director, a project schedule shall be provided
that includes, as a minimum, the dates of:
Commencement of work.
Start and finish of rough grading.
Completion of drainage facilities.
Completion of work in any watercourse.
Completion of erosion and sediment control facilities.
Completion of hydro mulching and other drought-resistant landscaping.
If rough grading is proposed between October 15th and May 1st,
a more detailed schedule of grading activities and use of erosion
and sediment control facilities may be required (final schedule
to be provided after the grading permit is issued prior to the
beginning of construction).
Regular
Inspections:
The Director may inspect any work done under the authority of a permit
granted pursuant to the Grading Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance
(Chapter 15.14 of the County Code). No permittee shall be deemed
to have complied with this Ordinance until a final inspection of
the work has been completed by the County and the Director has determined
in writing that the work has been completed in accordance with all
requirements and conditions of the permit. The permittee shall provide
adequate access to the site for inspection by the Director during
the performance of all grading work and for a minimum period of one
year after the final inspection of all improvements.
Rough Grade inspection must be completed before the foundation forms
of the structure can be inspected. A rough grade inspection consists
of the following:
Completion of all earth moving
Temporary erosion control measures have been placed per plan
requirements are in place prior to the October 15 deadline if
your project will extend into the winter months,
The driveway is constructed to within 2 inches of the approved
grade.
Final Grade inspection must be done before obtaining occupancy of
your structure. A final grade inspection consists of the following:
All permanent erosion control elements are in place,
Drainage facility construction is complete,
The driveway is surfaced as required by the plan and permit
Violation
and abatement inspections:
Pursuant to Section D.1 below, the Director may require site inspections
to investigate an alleged violation of the Grading Erosion and Sediment
Control Ordinance (Chapter 15.14 of the County Code), or inspections
necessary to document the abatement of a verified violation of this
Ordinance.
Special
Inspections:
Criteria for special inspections: As a condition of any permit,
or as part of the investigation or abatement of a violation of
Chapter 15.14 of the County Code, the Director may require the
permittee to provide periodic or continuous monitoring of the
construction activities under the direction and responsibility
of a Geotechnical Engineer, Civil Engineer or Engineering Geologist
within their area of expertise and licensure. The permittee shall
contract for such services and be responsible for the payment
of all costs. Continuous or periodic observation and reporting
by a Geotechnical Engineer, Civil Engineer and/or Engineering
Geologist shall include, but not be limited to, the following
situations:
During the preparation of a site or the placement
of fills which exceed three feet in depth on slopes
which exceed ten percent.
Fill placement for vehicular ways shall be continuously
inspected when fills exceed ten feet in height.
During the preparation of a site for the placement of
any fill and during the placement of such fill which
is intended to support any building or structure.
During the installation of subsurface drainage facilities.
The use of a licensed professional for inspections or
observations shall not preclude additional inspections
by representatives of the County as deemed necessary
by the Director.
Special Inspection reports: Reports filed by the Geotechnical
Engineer, Certified Engineering Geologist or Civil Engineer regarding
a special inspection shall state in writing a professional opinion,
based on personal knowledge, that adequate inspection has been
performed and the work accomplished during the period covered
by the report has been completed in substantial accordance with
the approved plans and specifications.
Progress
reports:
When required by the Director, periodic progress reports as required
by the Director shall be provided under the direction of the Project
Engineer that address the following:
Laboratory test results
Slope stability
Placement of materials
Retaining wall installation
Installation of drainage facilities
Installation of utilities
Compliance with special permit or plan requirements.
Other technical issues identified by the Director.
Final
technical reports:
Upon completion of grading work, the Director may require a final
report(s) that addresses geotechnical, geologic, drainage or engineering
issues and includes, but is not limited to the following:
A complete record of all field and laboratory tests including
location and elevation of all field tests.
A professional opinion regarding slope stability, soil bearing
capacity, and any other pertinent information.
Recommendations regarding foundation and roadway design, including
soil bearing potential, and building restrictions or setbacks
from the top or toe of slopes.
A declaration of professional opinion by the Geotechnical Engineer,
Civil Engineer, or Engineering Geologist, in the format required
by the Director, as to whether the work was done in substantial
accordance with the recommendations contained in the accepted
soil or geologic reports and in conformance with the approved
plans and specifications, including but not limited to, line,
grade and drainage design.
Other
inspections required by the grading plan or the California
Building Code:
Inspections on footings and reinforcing steel for freestanding
retaining walls exceeding three feet above grade, prior to pouring
concrete.
Storm drain or underground facilities must be inspected when:
pipe is in place, prior to backfilling trenches; concrete structures
have been formed, prior to placing concrete; and when all trenches
have been backfilled and properly compacted.
NOTES:
Following the above provisions of the grading ordinance does
not relieve the property owner of any civil liability or responsibility
for damages incurred to any adjacent property or persons.
No other permits from the county will be issued to persons in
violation of the county grading ordinance.
A grading permit will expire two years from the date of issuance.
All work and approved inspections must be completed within that
time period.
A grading permit remains with the property. The permit can be
changed to a new ownership provided all of the provisions of
the permit remain the same.
Fees
PLEASE NOTE: The
Development Services Department DOES NOT ACCEPT
ANY CREDIT CARD PURCHASES at this time. Personal or bank
draft checks accepted as well as US currency.
Fee Schedule: The schedule of fees and costs shall
be those established by duly adopted resolutions of the Board of
Supervisors. Please contact Development Services for a current
fee schedule.
Timing of payment: As part of the application,
the applicant shall provide to the County either an initial deposit
of funds or a fixed fee as authorized by the adopted County fee ordinance.
Fees and deposits shall be provided to the Administrative Authority.
The authorized methods of County cost recovery are described below:
Fixed fee cost recovery. For projects
eligible for the fixed fee cost recovery method, the fee
shall be paid at the time of application. Fixed fees shall
be allocated in equal amounts to cover the cost of plan check
and the cost of construction inspection and be subject to
the refund procedures specified in the applicable adopted
fee ordinance or resolution.
Time and Materials cost recovery: For projects
that require time and materials reimbursement, an initial
deposit of funds shall be provided based upon an engineer’s estimate
of project cost. This deposit shall constitute an estimate of
the County’s costs of permit processing. During permit
processing, the applicant shall be periodically billed to
cover ongoing County costs when a designated portion of the
deposit, as determined by the Director, has been expended.
Prior to permit issuance, or on an alternate schedule approved
by the Director, any unpaid County costs associated with
processing of the permit shall be paid by the applicant.
In addition, the applicant shall provide a second deposit
to cover the costs of construction inspection. During the
inspection period, the applicant shall be periodically billed
to cover ongoing County costs when a designated portion of
the inspection deposit, as determined by the Director, has
been expended. Any outstanding County costs at the time of
final inspection shall be billed to the applicant. No additional
permits shall be issued on a parcel with an unpaid bill for
County costs. If there is a balance due the applicant at
the time of final inspection approval, a refund will be processed
within 60 days and funds will be forwarded to the owner of
record.
Public agencies: The fee required of public agencies
may be waived pursuant to the policy of the El Dorado County Board
of Supervisors.
Public utilities: Public utilities may, at the option
of the Director, make payment for the above charges as billed by
the Director instead of by advance deposit as required above.
Tahoe Special Conditions
Conditions of Approval
The following provisions apply to projects located in the Tahoe Basin.
General: All grading projects shall conform
to the rules and regulations of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
(TRPA).
Grading season: Grading shall be prohibited
during the period from October 15th through May 1st unless otherwise
provided by this Volume. The County requirescomplete
winterization of any project by October 15th pursuant to Section
64.2 of the TRPA Code of Ordinances.
Other agencies: All grading work shall
conform to any restriction required by other federal, state,
or local agencies.
Applicability: Except for Section 15.14.140
(Exemptions), the provisions of the County Grading, Erosion and
Sediment Control Ordinance, Chapter 15.14 of the County Code,
shall apply to grading activities in the Tahoe Basin.
Permit waivers: The Director may waive
the requirement for a grading permit if the work complies with
all the following conditions:
The excavation does not exceed five (5) feet in vertical
depth at its deepest point measured from the existing ground
surface, there is not a reasonable possibility of interception
of a water table, and the volume of earth moved does not
exceed three (3)cubic yards.
The fill does not exceed three (3) feet in vertical depth
at its deepest point measured from the original ground surface
and the fill material does not exceed three (3) cubic yards
per site.
Disturbance, injury, or removal of vegetation has been authorized
by a TRPA project approval in accordance with Section 65.2
of the TRPA Code of Ordinances.
