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San Anselmo · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in San Anselmo

San Anselmo'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 San Anselmo Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What San Anselmo's code says

San Anselmo code What San Anselmo's code adds
Steepest cut or fill slope
  • Slopes of digging, fill or grading may be no steeper than 2:1.
    § 9-18.11 · code text
    A slope of an excavation, fill, or grading shall not be steeper than two (2) horizontal to one (1) vertical.
Grading without a permit
  • No permit when less than 25 cubic yards of earth or material is moved.
    Applies: Best practices for construction grading and drainage still apply.
    § 9-18.04 · code text
    Where less than twenty-five (25) cubic yards of earth or material are moved.
Rainy-season limits
  • October 15 to April 15: no permit for work that starts or continues then, without a special rainy season permit.
    Applies: Digging, grading or fill that needs a permit; erosion control must be in place by October 15.
    § 9-18.10 · code text
    permits to excavate, grade; or fill shall not be issued for activity that will commence in, or continue into, the rainy season (October 15th to April 15th).

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in San Anselmo?

San Anselmo's code: No permit when less than 25 cubic yards of earth or material is moved. (Best practices for construction grading and drainage still apply.) (§ 9-18.04); October 15 to April 15: no permit for work that starts or continues then, without a special rainy season permit. (Digging, grading or fill that needs a permit; erosion control must be in place by October 15.) (§ 9-18.10).

General information, not legal advice.

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San Anselmo Municipal Code — full text