Grading and erosion control in Benicia: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Benicia Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Benicia's code says

Benicia code What Benicia's code adds
Erosion control plan	Needed for grading-permit projects, building projects that could cause major erosion or sediment discharge, and when the official requires it. Applies: For other projects, the official considers hillside soil disturbance, rainy-season work, work near a creek or drainage way, or possible storm drain discharge. § 15.70.090 · code text Any other project, as required by the authorized enforcement official, considering factors such as whether the project involves hillside soil disturbance, rainy season construction, construction near a creek or an intermittent or ephemeral drainage way, or any other condition or construction site activity that could lead to a non-storm water discharge to a storm drain if not managed by effective implementation of an ESCP.
Grading without a permit	Up to 50 cubic yards, under 5 feet, on ground no steeper than 5:1, supporting no structure, not altering drainage. Applies: The development services director may waive the grading permit. § 15.73.030 · code text The fill is placed on natural grade that has a slope not steeper than five-horizontal to one vertical; Basement and footing excavation under a valid building permit (not fill made from it, and not an unsupported height over five feet after completion); an excavation less than five feet deep held by a retaining structure that creates no slope steeper than 2:1; an excavation of 200 cubic yards or less that is less than two feet deep or does not create a cut slope that is both higher than four feet and steeper than 2:1; a fill of 200 cubic yards or less, less than two feet deep, on a slope flatter than 5:1, not supporting structures, on a single lot, not altering a drainage course; construction of water wells Applies: The development services director may waive the grading permit § 15.73.030 · code text Cemetery graves.
Rainy-season limits	Erosion protection must be installed as soon as practicable and before October 15. Applies: Protection for cut and fill slopes over 4 feet high. § 15.73.140 · code text The protection for the slopes shall be installed as soon as practicable and prior to October 15th. Erosion control facilities must be installed and working by October 15; devices must be on site by October 1. Applies: Facilities under an approved erosion control, storm water management or storm water pollution prevention plan. § 15.73.140 · code text The erosion control facilities shall be installed and in operation in accordance with the approved erosion control plan, storm water management plan or storm water pollution prevention plan on or before October 15th.

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What are the grading rules in Benicia?

Benicia's code: Up to 50 cubic yards, under 5 feet, on ground no steeper than 5:1, supporting no structure, not altering drainage. (The development services director may waive the grading permit.) (§ 15.73.030); Needed for grading-permit projects, building projects that could cause major erosion or sediment discharge, and when the official requires it. (For other projects, the official considers hillside soil disturbance, rainy-season work, work near a creek or drainage way, or possible storm drain discharge.) (§ 15.70.090).

Grading and erosion control in Benicia

What Benicia's code says

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