Site Improvement Permit (Drainage, Grading, and/or On-Site Driveway)

On-site Grading Permits (also known as Site Improvement Permits) shall be obtained any time the flow lines and drainage patterns on private property will be altered.

Online

Step 1.Get a Grading Plan (for Grading/Drainage) or Site Plan (for On-Site Driveway)

Grading and Site Plans should be prepared by a California registered civil engineer or architect. 

Grading Plans should show:

  • Existing conditions
  • Proposed contours and/or elevations
  • Drainage capture devices
  • For sites 1 acre or greater, a formal SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) will be required.  Proof of submittal to the State Water Board will be required as well. For sites less than one acre, a Water Pollution Control Plan (WPCP) will be required. A WPCP is not required to be submitted to the State Water Board.  Both the SWPPP and WPCP should show how site soils will be contained on-site. 
  • If required, a SUSMP (Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan, AKA Low Impact Development (LID)) should be submitted with the Grading Plan.

Site Plans should show:

  • Existing conditions
  • Proposed driveway as appropriate

Step 2.Gather your Documents

You will need to submit the following documents before your permit is approved. 

  • Contractor's State License
  • Culver City Business License
  • Grading Plan or Site Plan as appropriate

The Grading/Site Plan and other supporting documentation (as appropriate) must be uploaded during the online application process, the other documents may be submitted at a later date.

Step 3.Apply Online

Please complete the Site Improvement Permit application using the link below.

Complete the Application

Step 4.Plan Check

Once plan check has been completed, the applicant will be notified via email. If there are corrections, please resubmit response(s) and corrected plan in response.

Step 5.Pay for your Permit

Once permits have been approved, contractor requirements must be met and payments must be made prior to issuance.

Please provide contractor information upon request:

  • State License
  • Culver City Business License (Culver City Business License information)
  • Point of contact, including name, email, and phone number

You will receive an email notification once your permit has been approved and is ready for payment. 

After you have paid your permit fees, please send a notification of payment to Engineering@culvercity.org referencing your permit number.

Step 6.Pre-Construction Meeting

After the permit has been issued, the contractor or applicant is required to schedule a pre-construction meeting with the Public Works Inspector.

Instructions on how to schedule the pre-construction meeting will be included on your permit.