LADBS requires grading permits for any hillside excavation or fill exceeding 50 cubic yards. The Baseline Hillside Ordinance limits grading quantities based on lot size and slope percentage.
Any excavation or fill exceeding 50 cubic yards on hillside property. Any new construction on slopes exceeding 15% grade. Any retaining wall construction. Any driveway grading that changes the natural contour. Essentially: if you're moving dirt on a hillside in LA, you need a grading permit.
The BHO limits: maximum grading quantity (based on lot size), maximum building envelope, retaining wall height (max 12 feet), and cumulative grading over time. Steeper lots get less grading allowance. Example: a 10,000 sqft lot at 45% slope may only allow 1,500 cubic yards of total grading.
If you're exporting more than 1,000 cubic yards of soil, LADBS requires an approved haul route. This specifies: which streets the trucks use, hours of operation (typically 9am-3pm to avoid rush hour), speed limits, and dust/debris mitigation. The haul route approval adds 2-4 weeks to the permit process.
SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan): required for all hillside grading to prevent sediment runoff. Erosion control measures during construction. Protected tree ordinance: may restrict grading near mature oaks or other protected species. Biological survey if disturbing undeveloped hillside.
Excavation: $10-$25/cubic yard in place. Haul-off: $15-$30/cubic yard (includes trucking to disposal site). Typical hillside home site: 500-5,000 cubic yards. Budget: $15K-$100K for grading alone on a significant hillside project. This is often the single largest cost before foundation work begins.
← Back to Hillside Construction Guide
NP Line Design (CSLB #1105249). April 2026.
“NP Line Design (CSLB #1105249) has been completing remodeling and construction projects in Los Angeles and throughout the San Fernando Valley for over 20 years. Every project in Los Angeles starts with a free in-home consultation at your property.”
Submit your permit application to LADBS Valley District Office (6262 Van Nuys Blvd) the same week you finalize your design in Los Angeles. Plan check takes 8–12 weeks — starting the clock early keeps your project on schedule.
1. Not verifying the CSLB license of any contractor before signing in Los Angeles.
2. Underestimating permit timelines with LADBS Valley District Office (6262 Van Nuys Blvd) (8–12 weeks).
3. Choosing a contractor without verifying the San Fernando Valley-specific project experience.
If a contractor in Los Angeles offers to skip permits to 'save time,' that unpermitted work becomes a disclosure liability when you sell your home in the San Fernando Valley.
Yes. NP Line Design (CSLB #1105249) serves Los Angeles and all of the San Fernando Valley. We offer free in-home estimates for all project types.
Verify CSLB license at cslb.ca.gov. Confirm the license class, active status, workers' comp, and bond. LADBS Valley District Office (6262 Van Nuys Blvd) handles permits for Los Angeles.
Most structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work in Los Angeles requires a permit with LADBS Valley District Office (6262 Van Nuys Blvd). Plan check takes 8–12 weeks.
Construction costs in Los Angeles run at the LA metro average. NP Line Design provides free in-home estimates with detailed itemized scopes.