Inner Corridor Grading Cap

Inner Corridor grading is capped at one cubic yard per four square feet of lot area visible from Mulholland Drive. The Director may approve grading up to two cubic yards per four square feet under the Specific Plan’s discretionary findings procedure, but only after four findings are made. Corrective grading determined by the Department of Building and Safety is excluded from the calculation.

Outer Corridor caps are doubled (default two cubic yards per four square feet; up to four with findings) and live in MSPSP §6 B 1.

Where a project requires more than the default cap, the Director’s findings address:

• Conformance with the City’s Landform Grading Manual, unless Building and Safety determines that landform grading conflicts with Divisions 29 and 70 of Article 1 of Chapter IX of the Code.
• Graded slopes designed to have a natural appearance compatible with the characteristics of the Santa Monica Mountains.
• Building and Safety determination that the grading will minimize erosion.
• Compliance with §10 (Landscaping) on all graded slopes — landform planting where landform grading is not feasible.

• Total cut/fill quantities on the Grading Plan (Exhibit E-5) cross-checked against lot area.
• Conformance with the Landform Grading Manual.
• Graded slope appearance compatible with the natural Santa Monica Mountains contour.
• Building and Safety determination that grading minimizes erosion.
• Compliance with §10 landscaping standards on all graded slopes.

• Run grading quantities at the schematic stage. The default cap shapes the building footprint, the foundation strategy, and the driveway alignment.
• Where the project requires more than the default cap, plan the four findings into the Project Description and supporting documentation. Approval is not automatic and the findings must be supported.
• Coordinate landform grading with the Civil Engineer or Land Surveyor preparing the topographic survey. The Slope Band Analysis Form and the Grading Plan must align.
• Treat aesthetics and engineering as parallel reviews. Building and Safety addresses geotechnical safety; the DRB and Director address whether the graded slope appears compatible with the natural contour.

Source: Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan, §5 C 1 (Inner Corridor grading caps and four findings) and §6 B 1 (Outer Corridor doubled caps). Landform Grading Manual referenced as adopted by the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission.