Grading Regulations
Reference U.B.C. Appendix Chapter 33
City of El Segundo
350 Main Street
(310) 524-2380

WHO MUST OBTAIN A PERMIT?

No person shall do any grading without first having obtained a grading permit except as follows:

1. When approved by the building official, grading in an isolated, sefl- contained area if there is no danger to private or public property.
2. A evcavation that is:
   • less than two feet in depth; or,
   • does not create a cut slope greater than 5 feet in height and steeper than 1 unit vertical in 1 ˝ units horizontal (66.7% slope).
3. A fill:

· less than 1 foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than 1 unit vertical in 5 units horizontal (20% slope); or,

· less than 3 feet in depth, not intended to support structures, that does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one lot and does not obstruct a drainage course.

PLANS

1. Must be prepared and wet-signed by a licensed civil engineer.
2. Plans must show the following:
   1. Vicinity sketch and legal description
   2. Property lines
   3. Location of any buildings on the site and those on adjacent properties within 15 feet of the property line.
   4. Existing topography.
   5. Elevations, dimensions, location, extent and the slopes of all proposed grading shown by contours and other means
   6. Certification of the quantity of excavation and fill involved and estimated starting and completion dates.
   7. Detailed plans of all drainage devices, walls, cribbing, etc.
   8. A map of drainage area and runoff calculations (calculate for a rainfall of at least 2.1 inches per hour)
   9. A list of the best managements practices (BMP’s) as outlined in the City’s “Building Better Storm Water Quality” handout.

SEPARATE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR EACH SITE

The same permit may cover a cut and a fill. Permit does not relieve owner of responsibility of obtaining required permits for work under other codes, departments or agencies.

BOND REQUIED

All projects over 1,000 cubic yards shall post a bond as determined by the Building Officials. Bonds must be approved by the City Attorney.

DESIGN STANDARDS

Unless soils and/or geologic report permit otherwise:

a. Cuts: shall be a minimum 1 unit vertical to 2 units horizontal (50% slope).

b. Fill: shall be a minimum 1 unit vertical to 2 units horizontal (50% slope). All fills shall be compacted to a minimum of 90 percent of maximum density.

ADDITIONAL BUILDING SETBACKS

Additional building setback may be required. Varies with the depth of the cut or fill.

GRADING INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION

a. All grading in excess of 5,000 cubic yards is designated as “engineered grading” and shall be performed under the supervision of a civil engineer.

b. Grading involving less than 5,000 cubic yards is designated as “regular grading”, and need only be inspected by an approved soils lab and the Building Inspection Division.