Building on a hillside in Pismo Beach: the local rules

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

What Pismo Beach's code says

Pismo Beach code What Pismo Beach's code adds
Soils or geology report	Slope stability engineering studies proving safe construction is feasible are required. Applies: Building in areas known to be prone to landslides or severe land slippage. § 17.078.020 · code text Construction on areas known to be prone to landsliding or severe land slippage is prohibited without specific slope stability engineering studies proving that safe construction is feasible.
Grading and retaining walls	No grading on slopes greater than 20%. Applies: The coastal zone portion of Pismo Heights. § 17.078.030 · code text No grading shall commence on slopes greater than thirty percent (except within the coastal zone portion of Pismo Heights, where the maximum slope shall be twenty percent. No grading on slopes greater than 30%. Applies: Hillside areas; 20% in coastal Pismo Heights; not for lots zoned for development existing on October 21, 2003 with average slopes of 30% or more. § 17.28.050 · code text No grading shall be allowed on slopes greater than thirty percent. This provision shall not apply to lots existing as of October 21, 2003 with average slopes of thirty percent or greater, zoned for development. Cut and fill slopes over 10 feet high must be rounded with vertical curves at the crest. Applies: Hillside areas. § 17.28.050 · code text All cut and fill slopes with a vertical height of more than ten feet shall be rounded with vertical curves from the crest of the slope and from any surface drains constructed on the face or top of the slope. Where 2 cut or fill slopes meet, their ends must be rounded with a radius of at least 25 feet. Applies: Hillside areas. § 17.28.050 · code text Where two cut or fill slopes intersect, the ends of each slope shall be horizontally rounded and blended with a minimum radius of twenty-five feet.
When hillside rules apply	A natural slope of 10% or more. Applies: Properties with such slopes, or whose access crosses them; grading and building permits then need planning commission review of plans. § 17.078.030 · code text The term "hillside areas" is defined as all properties in the city which have a natural slope of ten percent or more or to which proposed access to the site traverses slopes of ten percent or more.

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Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Pismo Beach?

Pismo Beach's code: A natural slope of 10% or more. (Properties with such slopes, or whose access crosses them; grading and building permits then need planning commission review of plans.) (§ 17.078.030); No grading on slopes greater than 20%. (The coastal zone portion of Pismo Heights.) (§ 17.078.030).

Building on a hillside in Pismo Beach

What Pismo Beach's code says

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