Grading

(Printable pages)

• Contour Maps
• Earthwork Grading Calculations
• Height of Structure
• Slope Calculations
• Staking Requirements for Grading Construction
• Winter Grading Operations (October 15 through April 15th)

Grading plans shall be included with all applications for construction permits. Grading plans shall be drawn to scale upon substantial reproducible material and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of Monterey County Code Chapter 16.08.100 and all relevant laws, ordinances and regulations. the location of the work, the name and address of the owner, and the parcel number of the property on which the grading is to be done shall be clearly shown on each set of plans.

The plans shall include the following information:

1. A statement as to the specific intentions or ultimate purpose for which the grading is being done;
2. General location of the proposed site;
3. Property lines and relative contours of the existing ground and details of terrain and area drainage;
4. Elevations, dimensions, location, extent, and slopes of all proposed grading by contours or other suitable means;
5. Detailed plans of all surface and subsurface drainage devices, walls, cribbing, dams and other protective devices to be constructed with, or as a part of, the proposed work, together with a map showing the drainage area and the estimated runoff at the area served by any drains;
6. Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is to be performed and the location of any buildings or structures on land of adjacent owners which are within fifteen (15) feet of the property or which may be affected by the proposed grading operations;
7. A statement of the quantity of excavation and fill, and estimated starting and completion dates;
8. Specifications, when required, shall contain information covering construction and material requirements.

Geology

• Geologic Hazards:
  • Click Faults and Earthquakes for information on:
    • Faults and Earthquakes in California (CGS Note 31)
    • Fault Rupture Hazard Zones in California (CGS Special Publication 42)
    • Guidelines for Evaluating the Hazard of Surface Rupture (CGS Note 49)
  • Landslides and Liquefaction
    • Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California (CGS Special Publication 117A)
    • USGS Emergency Assessment of Post-Fire Debris-Flow Hazards
  • Tsunami
    • NOAA Tsunami Program
    • Department of Conservation Tsunami Hazard Area Maps, Updated 2022
    • Tsunami Inundation Maps
      
      
• Hydrogeology:
  • California's Groundwater -DWR Bulletin 118
    
    
• Legislation:
  • Alquist Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (1972)
  • Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (1990)
    
    
• Organizations: 
  • Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists
  • California Geological Survey
  • California State Mining & Geology Board
  • US Geological Survey

Cut slopes shall be no steeper than two horizontal to one vertical. Steeper slopes may be allowed if the Building Official determines they will be stable or if a civil engineer or geologist certifies that the site has been investigated and that the proposed deviation will be and remain structurally stable. The top of cut slopes may be required to be rounded off so as to blend in with the natural terrain.

Drainage terraces shall be provided. If vegetation removal takes place prior to a grading operation and the actual grading does not begin within thirty (30) days from the date of removal, then that area shall be planted in accordance with the erosion control provision of Monterey Country MCCO 16.08.340.

*NOTE:

Terrace = a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and maintenance purposes.   
Erosion = means the wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of the wind, water, or ice.  

Unless otherwise recommended in an approved geotechnical report, fills shall conform to the following provisions as outlined in MCCO 16.08.310.

Fill slopes shall not be constructed on natural slopes steeper than two to one unless a civil engineer or geologist devises a method of placement which will assure the fill will remain in place. Slough shall not be placed on any slope where it is likely that it will enter a drainage course. Fill slopes shall toe out no closer than 12 feet horizontally to the top of existing or planned cut slopes.  

Ground Preparation for Fill:  

The ground surface shall be prepared by the removal of vegetation, topsoil, and other unsuitable materials as determined by the soil engineer. Scarifying to ensure a bond with new fill is required, and, where the slopes are steeper than 5:1 and the height is greater than 5 feet, benching into sound bedrock or competent material (determined by the engineer) is required. Benching and toes of slopes shall meet the following requirements:   

• The bench under the toe of a fill on a slope steeper than five to one shall be at least 12 feet wide. 
• The area beyond the toe of fill shall be sloped for sheet overflow or a paved drain shall be provided. 
• Where fill is to be placed over a cut, the bench under the toe shall be at least 10 feet wide and be the native base material must have approval as being suitable foundation for fill.  

Permitted Fill Material: 

No organic material shall be permitted in fills except as topsoil (no more than 4 inches depth) used for surface plant growth only. The Building Official may permit placement of imported rock over 12 inches in its maximum dimension only when an engineer devises a method of placement, supervises its placement, and provided assurance of fill stability.

Fill Slopes: 

No compacted fill shall be made which creates an exposed surface steeper than 2:1. The building official may require that the fill be constructed with an exposed surface flatter than 1.5 if they find this necessary for safety.

Compaction of Fills: 

All fills shall be compacted to a minimum of 90% of max density as determined by the Uniform Building Code, Standard NO. 70-1. Compaction tests may be required on any fill. As a minimum requirement, filed density verification must be submitted for any fill greater than 12 inches in depth where such fill may support the foundation of a structure.

Drainage Terraces: 

Drainage and terraces shall be provided in the area above fill slopes and the surface of terraces shall be graded and paved as required by Monterey County MCCO 16.08.330.  

Levees:

Design plans shall be approved by a Registered Civil Engineer and be based on standards established by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, as published in that agency’s Engineer Manual EM1110-2-1913. 

*NOTE:

Bedrock = the in-place, solid, undisturbed rock either at the ground surface or beneath superficial deposits of gravel, sand, or soil.  
Approval = a written engineering or geological opinion concerning the progress and completion of the work
Suitable Foundation = soil which, in the opinion of the Building Official or the civil engineer or the soils engineer or the geologist, is competent to support other soil or fill, to support structures, or to satisfactorily perform the other functions for which the soil is intended.
Terrace = a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and maintenance purposes.  Levees = any artificial embankment constructed to contain the waters of a river, stream, or slough.

As per Monterey County MCCO 13.012.090, no land clearing greater than one acre per year per site or grading operation greater than 100 cubic yards may occur during winter months without authorization from the Director of Building Inspection if it meets on or more  of the following criteria:

• Site is within water supply watersheds
• High erosion hazard areas

When winter grading operations do occur, the following measures must be taken to mitigate erosion:

• Vegetation removal shall not precede subsequent grading or construction activities by more than 15 days. During this period, erosion, and sediment control measures shall be in place. 
• Disturbed surfaces not involved in the immediate operations must be protected by mulching and/or other effective means of soil protection. 
• Runoff from the site shall be detained or filtered by berms, vegetated filter strips and/or catch basins to prevent the escape of sediment from the disturbed area or site. These drainage control measures must be maintained by the contractor as necessary to achieve their purpose throughout the life of the project. 
• Erosion and sediment control measures shall be in place at the end of the day. 
• The Monterey County inspector may stop operations during periods of inclement weather if erosion problems are not being controlled adequately.  

The 2019 California Building Code includes slope setbacks from site boundaries and footing setbacks from slopes.

1808.7.1 Building clearance from ascending slopes.
In general, buildings below slopes shall be set a sufficient distance from the slope to provide protection from slope drainage, erosion and shallow failures. Except as provided in Section 1808.7.5 and Figure 1808.7.1, the following criteria will be assumed to provide this protection. Where the existing slope is steeper than one unit vertical in one unit horizontal (100-percent slope), the toe of the slope shall be assumed to be at the intersection of a horizontal plane drawn from the top of the foundation and a plane drawn tangent to the slope at an angle of 45 degrees (0.79 rad) to the horizontal. Where a retaining wall is constructed at the toe of the slope, the height of the slope shall be measured from the top of the wall to the top of the slope. 

1808.7.2 Foundation setback from descending slope surface.
Foundations on or adjacent to slope surfaces shall be founded in firm material with an embedment and set back from the slope surface sufficient to provide vertical and lateral support for the foundation without detrimental settlement. Except as provided for in Section 1808.7.5 and Figure 1808.7.1, the following setback is deemed adequate to meet the criteria. Where the slope is steeper than 1 unit vertical in 1 unit horizontal (100-percent slope) the required setback shall be measured from an imaginary plane 45 degree (0.79 rad) to the horizontal, projected upward from the toe of the slope.

1808.7.3 Pools.
The setback between pools regulated by this code and slopes shall be equal to one-half the building footing setback distance required by this section. That portion of the pool wall within a horizontal distance of 7 feet (2134 mm) from the top of the slope shall be capable of supporting the water in the pool without soil support.

All private road construction involving grading shall be done under permit pursuant to the provisions of MCCO 16.08. The Building Official may modify these requirements for emergency access or temporary roads. All private driveways less than 50 feet in total length shall be exempt from the requirements of MCCO 16.08.350B.  

Private road construction requiring a grading permit shall be subject to the following requirements:

1. Width of roadbed shall be ten (10) Fire Standards require 12 feet minimum.
2. Minimum centerline radius shall be thirty (30) feet.
3. In no situation will road gradients be allowed grater than twenty-five (25) percent.
4. The structural section shall consist of a minimum of four inches of Class II aggregate base, except where native materials provide sufficient bearing capacity for all weather use. Additionally, one and one-half inches of asphalt concrete surfacing shall be provided where road gradients exceed fifteen (15) percent.
5. Asphalt berms are required where necessary to control drainage. Discharge shall be at points of natural waterways with energy dissipaters installed where necessary to control erosion.
6. Turnouts shall be provided at least every five hundred (500) feet if the traveled way width of the roadbed is less than sixteen (16) feet.

In order to obtain a construction permit for grading; the construction permit application form must be completed. View the list of application forms or contact the permit center for application forms or supplemental documents. The specific application required will be determined by the scope of the project.  The applicant will be asked to complete the appropriate applications, submit all required plans, documents and pay applicable fees and bonds. 

In most cases, a construction permit application requires electronic submittal of grading, drainage, and overall site plans in conjunction with the application. Additional and/or supplemental documents that may be requested include: 

• Geological reports
• Compaction reports
• Surveys to establish grades
• Property lines and location of structure
• Erosion control plans
• Best Management Practices (BMP)
• Diagrams used to produce calculations 

Once your grading permit application is submitted, it will be forwarded to one or more of the inter-departmental agencies. These agencies will verify compliance, if applicable, with the approved planning permit, design approval, and the various codes and ordinances.  

When your grading plans have been approved, you have completed all holds required for issuance, and paid your fees, your permit is issued and you are ready to start grading construction. (MCCO 16.08.150)

You will digitally receive one set of approved drawings, stamped and dated along with an inspection card. The plans and inspection card should be kept at the job site at all times. A digital copy of the approved drawings, calculations, and inspection card will be stored within the HCD files. (MCCO 16.08.160) 

Once a permit is issued, you have 120 days from date of issuance to begin construction or else the permit expires. If construction is suspended or abandoned for a period of 30 days or more your permit will expire, unless such suspension is approved by the building official. If your permit expired, a new permit shall be obtained with a fee, provided no changes were made of the original plans. (MCCO 16.08.180) 

Grading plans can be prepared by professional licensed architects, civil, geotechnical and structural engineers.  Licensed professionals are required to wet stamp and sign the first page of the grading plans and provide supporting calculations for their design work.  In some cases, designers (no requirement for state licensing) can prepare regular grading plans.

All grading plans and specifications shall be prepared and signed by a professional licensed engineer when the grading is over 5,000 cubic yards or a drainage structure over five square feet in flow area is required and shall be designated as "engineered grading." "Grading involving less than 5,000 cubic yards shall be designated "regular grading" unless the applicant chooses to have the grading performed as engineered grading, or the Chief Building Official determines that special conditions or unusual hazards exist, in which case grading shall conform to the requirements for engineered grading (Grading Ordinance No. 2535, Chapter 16.08.090).

Grading is broken down into two types:

1) CUT - soil materials that are removed from an area of land, such as an excavation and

2) FILL - the soil materials that are added to an area of land, such as the placement of soil for an embankment or fill slope. 

Grading calculations are the result of CUT + FILL as measured in cubic yards. This means that when one cubic yard of earth is cut, then that same one cubic yard is used as fill elsewhere on the property or exported from the site.

Monterey County views this as two cubic yards of earth movement. This method is referred to as "double counting". This form of measurement takes into consideration the total disturbance of a site from its existing state.

When the construction permit for your grading is issued, you will receive an inspection permit card.  This permit card provides a list of called-in grading inspections established by the Chief Building Official to ensure that the grading inspector performs site inspections, coordination, stage approvals, and the grading construction is in compliance with the approved grading permit.

These inspections require the applicants to notify the Grading Inspection Division as various stages of grading construction are completed, and require the grading inspector to be present on-site at various stages to inspect and approve portions of the grading construction.

Pre-Grading Meeting
The initial inspection usually held on site prior to any brushing and preparatory to actual grading construction, is generally referred to as pre-grading meeting.

The meeting provides an open forum for the discussion of the contractor's approved methods of construction; discussion of any special problems such as stabilization of fills, brush, tree and rock removal and disposals methods, erosion control for rainy season protection and discussion concerning the conditions of the permits and the necessary paper work required during in progress and final inspections.

By participants developing strong communication and an understanding of the conditions, requirements, and specifications of the approved grading plan and permit during the meeting, anticipated problems are resolved through careful planning for safe grading construction.

In-Progress Grading Inspections
The in-progress grading include toe of fill key inspection, excavation inspections, compacted fill inspections, drainage devise inspections and driveway/private road inspections.

In-progress grading inspections should continue during construction to ensure compliance with the grading permit and the grading ordinance.  These inspections also help the operation maintain steady progress, and minimize holdups, stop work or expiration of the grading permit.

Much of the in-progress grading inspection is involved with making sure that the soil engineer's representative is on the site observing grading construction, ensuring compliance with the soils engineer report recommendations, and that the grading contractor is complying with the specifications and requirements of the approved plans and permit.

The grading inspector keeps communication open and coordinates work among the contractor, soil engineer representative, and engineering geologist, to assure that each stage of grading construction is properly inspected, tested, and approved by the geotechnical consultants.

Please let us know as soon as you decide to make a change in your grading construction at 831-755-5025. Depending on how much you want to change, you may need to submit a change detail or plan revision, or you may need a new grading permit.

By discussing this with us early on, we can tell you what is needed, and possibly avoid a delay or stop work on your project.

At this stage, all grading construction has been completed, but there has been no release of utilities or issuance of the certificate of occupancy.

For final approval of your grading permit, you must pass the final grading inspection.  This inspection takes place when all building site fine grading work has been completed, including; excavation and fills placement, drainage devices and disposal systems, erosion control and landscape of slopes.

All professional reports including in-grading field reports, soil compaction test reports, an as-graded plan, and a final graded letter that summarizes all grading construction for the site must be reviewed and approved by the engineer of record or the soils engineer. 

If there are any hold or correction notes on the permit or grading plans, the grading inspector will need proof that the applicant has taken care of the holds before the permit can be final sign-off.

Monterey County accepts the following as meeting the intent of MCCO Section 16.08.290.  

• Surety Bonds
• Cash Deposits
• Certificates of Deposits 

The following calculations are used to determine grading bond amounts.  The Building Official may at times adopt another calculation table to assess fees depending upon construction estimates and specific site conditions.