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Citrus Heights · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Citrus Heights

A permit is needed to grade, fill, dig, store or dump 50 cubic yards or more of soil; under 50 cubic yards needs none.

Key points

  • Grading: A permit is needed to grade, fill, dig, store or dump 50 cubic yards or more of soil; under 50 cubic yards needs none.

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

What Citrus Heights's code says

Citrus Heights code What Citrus Heights's code adds
Erosion control plan
  • Erosion control plans must be submitted to the building official, with design approval, by October 1.
    Applies: Applies to grading done from October 1 to April 15.
    § 18-346 · code text
    If grading operations are to be conducted during such period, plans for erosion control devices shall be submitted to the building official and design approval obtained not later than October 1.
When a grading permit is needed
  • A permit is needed to grade, fill, dig, store or dump 50 cubic yards or more of soil.
    § 18-348 · code text
    Grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of 50 cubic yards or more of soil or earthly material;
Grading without a permit
  • No permit for under 50 cubic yards, clearing under 1 acre, permitted pools, basements or footings, or underground utilities.
    § 18-349 · code text
    A grading and erosion control permit shall not be required (i) to grade, fill, excavate, store or dispose of less than 50 cubic yards of soil or earthly material; (ii) to clear and grub less than one acre of land within the city;
  • No permit for emergency grading when the director finds clear, imminent danger to life, property or services; written approval first.
    § 18-350 · code text
    A grading and erosion control permit shall not be required for, and the provisions of this article shall not apply to, grading, filling, excavating, storing, disposing, or clearing and grubbing for situations where, in the determination of the director, there is a clear and imminent danger to life or property or threat of loss of services for which there is an overriding public concern.
Rainy-season limits
  • Grading over 250 cubic yards may not start if the building official finds it endangers public safety.
    Applies: Rainy season, October 1 to April 15; erosion control plans need approval by October 1 and working devices by November 1.
    § 18-346 · code text
    That period between October 1 and April 15 is found and determined to be the period in which heavy rainfall normally occurs in the city.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Citrus Heights?

A permit is needed to grade, fill, dig, store or dump 50 cubic yards or more of soil; under 50 cubic yards needs none.

General information, not legal advice.

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