Grading Ordinance Comprehensive Update
PDS2021-POD-21-005
The County Grading, Clearing, and Watercourses Ordinance (Ordinance) was initially adopted in 1996 to establish regulations and procedures for permitting earth movement (grading) and removing vegetation (clearing) to ensure public safety by preventing slope failure, foundation failure, expansive soil damage, and erosion and drainage problems. The Ordinance explicitly requires compliance with all applicable federal and State requirements and defines “grading” as any excavating, filling, or a combination of the two.
On August 17, 2022, the County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved an update to the Ordinance to consolidate the agricultural regulations into a single chapter within the Ordinance while maintaining existing requirements, to clarify language and add missing definitions.
On March 13, 2024, the Board approved another update to the Ordinance to allow by-right ministerial grading permits for by-right projects authorized by State law.
For this effort, the Board directed staff to pursue a comprehensive update to the Ordinance to address agricultural and residential clearing and grading including reviewing requirements, thresholds, and permit processes and prepare a checklist to allow ministerial grading permits within Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) Efficient Areas and Infill Areas if they meet certain criteria. This effort will include analyzing environmental impacts under CEQA, outreach to the public and stakeholders, drafting amended ordinance language, and returning to the Board for consideration.
A Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and an Initial Study is available for public review. A Virtual Public Scoping Meeting is planned for July 11, 2024.
Comments on the NOP must be received no later than July 22, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
In order to receive updates for the project, please use this Signup Website.
Please direct any questions or formal comments to the project contact below.
Project Contact: Grace Bodenchak | Grace.Bodenchak@sdcounty.ca.gov | (619) 985-1092
NOTICE OF PREPARATION
PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD (June 20, 2024 -
July 22, 2024)
MEETING INFORMATION
Date: July 11, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location/Access Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81615477712
Meeting ID: 816 1547 7712
SUBMIT COMMENTS BY JULY 22, 2024 4:00 PM
Comments on the NOP must be received in writing with "Grading Ordinance NOP Comment" in the subject line. Comments on the NOP must be received no later than Monday, July 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. and can be submitted in two ways:
| Postal Mail:
County of San Diego Planning & Development Services Attn: Grace Bodenchak 5510 Overland Avenue Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92123 | Email:
Grace Bodenchak Grace.Bodenchak@sdcounty.ca.gov |
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