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Mendocino County · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Mendocino County

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

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

What Mendocino County's code says

Mendocino County code What Mendocino County's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • Exempt: digs under 2 feet deep, or with no cut slope both over 5 feet high and steeper than 1½:1.
    § 18.70.030 · code text
    Which does not create a cut slope greater than five (5) feet in height and steeper than one and one-half (1½) horizontal to one (1) vertical.
  • Fill up to 50 cubic yards/lot: under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1, or under 3 feet; no structures.
    Applies: It must not block a drainage course.
    § 18.70.030 · code text
    A fill less than one (1) foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than five (5) horizontal to one (1) vertical
  • Exempt: permitted basement and footing digs, and digs for wells or utilities.
    Applies: Fill made from the dug soil, or a dig left over 5 feet high and unsupported, is not exempt.
    § 18.70.030 · code text
    An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall or other structures authorized by a valid building permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Mendocino County?

Mendocino County's code: Exempt: digs under 2 feet deep, or with no cut slope both over 5 feet high and steeper than 1½:1. (§ 18.70.030); Fill up to 50 cubic yards/lot: under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1, or under 3 feet; no structures. (It must not block a drainage course.) (§ 18.70.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Mendocino County's grading and erosion control rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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