The following flowchart provides information about which type of permit is required for your project.
Please note some site work may not require a grading permit such as:
Be sure to check the approved Development Plan or Final Plat for site specific grading limits, easements or floodplains. You may reach out to staff at 520-229-4800 or permits@orovalleyaz.gov for questions or concerns. If a floodplain or drainage area is nearby, please reach out to Stormwater at 520-229-4850 (option 3).
The entire grading code is available in Chapters 22.10 and 27.9 of the Zoning Code
Other governing codes may apply if the lot is part of a Planned Area Development (PAD), Environmentally Sensitive Land or Hillside Development Zone
Within the grading limits provide a Native Plant Salvage plan that includes:
1. Identify the existing native plants in the proposed grading area.
2. Indicate the outcome of those plants such as; Remain in place, Remove from site or Transplant.
3. Indicate how the plants will be tagged on the site that represent the intended outcome. Standard tagging is White=remain in place, Blue=transplant, Red=remove.
Once the native plant plan is submitted, staff will verify the conditions on the site are accurately represented in the field prior to issuance of the permit. This means the applicant will need to install the grading limit line or fencing as early in the process as possible.
After the permit is issued, a field inspection is required (known as a limits of grading inspection), prior to grading the lot to confirm the plants shown on the plans are properly identified. The applicant/owner must have the grading limits defined on the site and the plants tagged with the colored tags showing if the plant is to be preserved in place, salvaged or destroyed.
Plans are now accepted online at through a customer portal.
You will receive emails confirming that your plans have been accepted for review. If you do not receive an email response call 520-229-4800.
Permits are issued electronically
The entire grading code is available in Chapters 22.10 and 27.9 of the zoning code.
Other governing codes may apply if the lot is part of a Planned Area Development (PAD), Environmentally Sensitive Land or Hillside Development zone.
List the following information on the plans:
Include additional documentation of the project which may include:
Review the Type 2 standard grading conditions.
You will receive an email confirming the submittal has been received. If you do not receive an email response call 520-229-4800.
Define the grading limits in the field and have a limits of grading inspection done by the zoning inspector.
Type 2 grading permits as required in Section 22.10.A.1.c may not be issued by the Town until the Town Council has approved the final plat or development plan and the necessary assurances have been posted.
The Town may waive the requirements for the grading plan should staff determine that the scope of the grading activity does not warrant such a plan.
The entire grading code is available in Chapter 22.10 and 27.9 of the Oro Valley Zoning Code
See the standard Type 3 Grading conditions
Show the area of the lot where the stockplie will be placed, include the access road to the site. This will be the grading limits.
Within the grading limits :
Include a Native Plant Salvage information that includes:
Once the native plant plan is submitted, staff will verify the conditions on the site are accurately represented in the field prior to issuance of the permit. This means install the grading limit line or fencing as early in the process as possible.
It is the applicant's/owner responsibility to ensure all private rules and regulations of the property are adhered to. Contact the HOA or property management to determine applicable requirements.
Permit Issuance
See the Zoning Code section 22.10.A.1.d for Type 4 grading permit standards
Notice to the applicant
- Amount to equal ½ % of site construction cost or $500, whichever is greater.
The purpose, of the zoning code section 27.9 addressing grading, is to provide for the public health, safety, and general welfare and to protect and preserve the aesthetics of the natural desert environment through regulation of all types of excavation and earthwork on private and/or public land.
Clearing vegetation from a residential lot, which encompasses an area of one thousand (1,000) square feet or more.
Grading The initial clearing, brushing or grubbing, and subsequent excavating or filling of a site.
Brushing The selective removal of vegetation.
Clearing The substantial removal of vegetation by manual or mechanical means.
Grubbing The removal of trees and other large plants including their roots.
Show road(s) that are next to your property, label the name and if the road is private or public.
Show and label all existing structures, driveways, walls or building on the site
Show existing topography. Topography is the slope of the land usually shown in the form of multiple continual lines. PimaMaps also provides topography lines on properties.
Drainage:
A complete submittal is usually reviewed by Town staff in 10 business days. The plans will either be approved or denied. You will be notified of the plan review results. Additional reviews will take an additional 10 business days to review.
You will need to call for inspections during phases of the project. The inspections will ensure the work proceeding on the site is the work that was approved on the plans.
Notice: It is the applicant/owner's responsibility to ensure all private rules and regulations of the development are met. Contact the property home owner's association to determine if additional standards apply.
Plans are now accepted online through the customer portal.
Subdivision Street Standards(PDF, 4MB)
Subdivision Street Standards Checklist(PDF, 2MB)
Drainage Criteria Manual(PDF, 10MB)
Standards conditions and notes for the following permit types:
Grading-Flow-Chart.pdf(PDF, 183KB)
link(PDF, 372KB)
link(PDF, 387KB)
link(PDF, 79KB)
link(PDF, 4MB)
link(PDF, 2MB)
DRAFT-Drainage-Criteria-Manual_Temp-Web-Version.pdf(PDF, 10MB)