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The Grading Inspection Division was established in 1979 to enforce
provisions of
Grading Ordinance No. 2535
(Chapter 16.08) and Erosion Control Ordinance
No. 2806 (Chapter 16.12). The Grading Ordinance incorporates
regulations from the California Building Code, which addresses standards
for all grading construction.
These ordinances were
adopted to mitigate several impacts associated with earth movement and
grading construction; to safeguard the health, safety, and public welfare;
and to minimize erosion and protect fish, wildlife, and the natural
environment.
The Grading Inspection Division reviews all development permits to ensure
compliance with the California Building Codes and local Ordinance
provisions including but not limited to grading plan check for
subdivisions, single family dwellings, commercial and industrial
structures grading plans. In addition, the division also routinely
performs building presite inspections, inspections of site grading
construction and code enforcement of grading throughout the unincorporated
communities of Monterey County.
Earthwork and Grading Construction
Grading construction means excavating or depositing soil materials
(cut or fills). It is usually done on flatlands or hillsides to reorient
the land for development, for example, constructing a building pad for a
single family dwelling, or excavating for a retaining wall, or a new
private access driveway. Grading is regulated because it can cause serious
problems when not done properly. No grading permit can be issued if a
determination is made that grading construction will result in floods,
geological or seismic hazard or unstable soil, or is liable to endanger
any other property or result in the deposition of debris on any public way
or property or drainage course, or otherwise create a nuisance.
Newly exposed soil subjected to the elements of the weather can erode
easily, moving from areas where you want it (e.g., on the hill behind your
house) to areas where you don't want it (e.g., up against your house, in a
street or creek, or on a neighbor's property).
If native soil underlying a new building pad is not adequately compacted
or if the soil density varies too much, the building may settle and suffer
structural damage. Excessive grading may cause loss of natural vegetation,
accelerated erosion potential, habitat intrusion, soil stability, and
visual scarring and may also damage other natural resources for years to
come.
Even minor grading can change the way water drains across a property,
which can cause erosion problems that may affect existing drainage
patterns and road access to a home or even an entire community.
A grading permit is required for all but a limited scope of earth-moving
operations so that these problems can be prevented. Even when a permit is
not required, you should still use great care in grading construction to
preserve your own property and to protect adjoining properties and public
roads.
Erosion
Control
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© 2008 Monterey County RMA Agency. All rights reserved.