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Laguna Woods · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Laguna Woods

Laguna Woods's own rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text for every value.

Ask about grading and erosion control in Laguna Woods See coverage

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

What Laguna Woods's code says

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Erosion control plan
  • The owner may be required to prepare and carry out an erosion and sediment control plan.
    Applies: When grading started on private property without a required grading permit.
    § 10.06.320 · code text
    If any grading subject to Section 10.06.050 of this Code has commenced on private property without a valid grading permit, the property owner may be required to prepare and implement an erosion and sediment control plan as well as other plans required under the water quality requirements which have been approved by the Building Official.
Grading without a permit
  • Digs up to 50 cubic yards, under 2 feet deep or without cut slope over 5 feet steeper than 1V:1.5H.
    Applies: Fills up to 50 cubic yards: under 1 foot deep and flatter than 1V:5H, or under 3 feet and not supporting structures.
    § 10.06.050 · code text
    An excavation which does not exceed 50 cubic yards on any one site and which is less than two feet in vertical depth, or which does not create a cut slope greater than five feet in vertical height and steeper than one vertical to 1 1/2 horizontal (1V:1.5H).
  • Excavation for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall or other structure with a valid building permit.
    Applies: Not fill made from the excavated material, or an excavation left unsupported and more than 5 feet high.
    § 10.06.050 · code text
    An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of building, mobile-home, retaining wall, or other structure authorized by a valid building permit or construction permit.
Rainy-season limits
  • October 1 to April 30: no grading over 200 cubic yards unless the Building Official approves or waives erosion control.
    Applies: Any single grading site under permit.
    § 10.06.300 · code text
    No grading work in excess of 200 cubic yards will be allowed between October 1 and April 30 on any single grading site under permit unless an erosion and sediment control system has been approved or waived by the Building Official.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Laguna Woods?

Laguna Woods's code: Digs up to 50 cubic yards, under 2 feet deep or without cut slope over 5 feet steeper than 1V:1.5H. (Fills up to 50 cubic yards: under 1 foot deep and flatter than 1V:5H, or under 3 feet and not supporting structures.) (§ 10.06.050); The owner may be required to prepare and carry out an erosion and sediment control plan. (When grading started on private property without a required grading permit.) (§ 10.06.320).

General information, not legal advice.

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Laguna Woods Municipal Code — full text