If are planning a fill project in the rural area, it will need to go through a land development process. Some projects may be exempt from the land development process.
Exempt fill projects include:
- Less than 5,000 cubic yards of fill
- Sites outside of a:
- 100-year floodplain
- Drainage hazard area
- Significant Natural Resource area
- All material is topsoil
- For nurseries, all material is commonly used for nursery crops
- Fill material does not contain:
- Hazardous or contaminated substances
- Perishable material
- Asphalt, concrete, tires or similar materials
- Plans to complete grading within one year
- No fees charged to place fill
For a full list of exemptions, see Community Development Code Section 201-2.12
All fill projects that do not meet criteria are not exempt and must go through the land development process. If you are not sure if your project is exempt, submit a Preliminary Grading Review form. Staff will determine if the project is eligible for exemption. The fee for the review is $395.
Both exempt and non-exempt projects will need a grading permit if the amount of fill is 150 cubic yards or more. If you are placing fill for an access or in the public right-of-way, you may need a right-of-way permit to address road safety.
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Land Development Process
