Grading and erosion control in Moreno Valley

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

What Moreno Valley's code says

Moreno Valley code What Moreno Valley's code adds
Erosion control plan	An approved erosion control plan is required. Applies: All earth moving or grading that needs a grading permit. § 8.21.160 · code text All earth moving or grading operations requiring a grading permit (as noted in Section 8.21.020 of this chapter) shall be required to also have an approved erosion control plan. Erosion and sediment control measures are required. Applies: Land disturbance of 1,000 square feet or more on projects that need no grading permit. § 8.21.160 · code text For those projects that do not require a grading permit, erosion control and sediment measures must be implemented for land disturbance area of 1,000 square feet or more.
When a grading permit is needed	A grading permit is needed to stockpile, deposit or place more than 50 cubic yards of earth. Applies: Applies to any property, unless exempt. § 8.21.050 · code text It is unlawful for any persons owning, leasing, occupying or having charge of any real property in the city to stockpile, deposit, or allow the placement, construction or deposition of earth material on any real property in excess of 50 cubic yards without first obtaining a grading permit as hereinafter described
Grading without a permit	Digs disturbing 1,000 square feet or less or 50 cubic yards or less, under 2 feet deep. Applies: No grading permit needed. The dig may not create a cut slope both over 5 feet high and steeper than 1.5:1. § 8.21.020 · code text which does not create a cut slope greater than five feet in vertical height and steeper than one and one-half to one (1.5:1) horizontal to vertical Fill under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1, or under 3 feet with no structures. Applies: No permit needed. At most 1,000 square feet or 50 cubic yards per lot. The fill must not block a drainage course. § 8.21.020 · code text A fill less than one foot in depth, placed on natural grade with a slope flatter than five horizontal to one vertical (5:1) Digs for basements and footings under a valid building permit. Applies: Not exempt: fill made from the dig, unsupported heights over 5 feet after completion, or unsupported vertical banks over 2 feet. § 8.21.020 · code text An excavation below finish grade for basements and footings of a building, mobile home, retaining wall, or other structure authorized by a valid building permit or construction permit.
Rainy-season limits	No grading, clearing, brushing or grubbing from October 1 to May 31. Applies: Within 100 feet of environmentally sensitive areas. Building and maintaining erosion control systems is excepted. § 8.21.160 · code text any grading, clearing, brushing and grubbing within 100 feet of environmentally sensitive areas, is prohibited from October 1st to May 31st except for the construction and maintenance of erosion control systems No grading from October 1 to May 31 unless the city engineer approves or waives an erosion control plan. Applies: Grading sites under permit. A single home lot may get a waiver if erosion control is installed before October 1. § 8.21.160 · code text Grading work is prohibited on any single grading site under permit between October 1st and May 31st unless an erosion control plan has been approved or waived by the city engineer.

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What are the grading rules in Moreno Valley?

Moreno Valley's code: A grading permit is needed to stockpile, deposit or place more than 50 cubic yards of earth. (Applies to any property, unless exempt.) (§ 8.21.050); An approved erosion control plan is required. (All earth moving or grading that needs a grading permit.) (§ 8.21.160).

Grading and erosion control in Moreno Valley

What Moreno Valley's code says

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