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Santa Paula · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Santa Paula

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

What Santa Paula's code says

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Steepest cut or fill slope
  • No steeper than 2:1.
    Applies: Graded slopes, unless the City Engineer or Building Official approves a steeper slope based on soils and geology studies.
    § 16.98.060 · code text
    No manufactured slope angle may be steeper than 2:1 unless approved by the City Engineer or Building Official
Grading without a permit
  • Excavation that is 50 cubic yards or less, or less than two feet deep, or does not create a cut slope that is both more than five feet high and steeper than 2:1; fill less than one foot deep on natural ground flatter than 5:1, or fill less than three feet deep not intended to support structures, of 50 cubic yards or less on any one lot
    Applies: Not for a cut slope in an area of adverse geological conditions; the fill must not block a drainage course
    § 16.96.030 · code text
    An excavation which does not exceed 50 cubic yards or is less than two feet in depth, or which does not create a cut slope greater than five feet in height and steeper than 2:1, unless the cut slope is made in an area of adverse geological conditions.
  • Digs for permitted basements, footings, retaining walls or pools; not the fill, or over 5 feet unsupported when done.
    § 16.96.030 · code text
    Excavations below the finished grade for basements and footings of buildings, retaining walls, swimming pools, or other structures authorized by a valid building permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Santa Paula?

Santa Paula's code: Excavation that is 50 cubic yards or less, or less than two feet deep, or does not create a cut slope that is both more than five feet high and steeper than 2:1; fill less than one foot deep on natural ground flatter than 5:1, or fill less than three feet deep not intended to support structures, of 50 cubic yards or less on any one lot (Not for a cut slope in an area of adverse geological conditions; the fill must not block a drainage course) (§ 16.96.030); No steeper than 2:1. (Graded slopes, unless the City Engineer or Building Official approves a steeper slope based on soils and geology studies.) (§ 16.98.060).

General information, not legal advice.

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Santa Paula Municipal Code — full text