Site Planning
Services

A civil engineer produces stamped technical drawings — grading plans, drainage calculations, improvement plans — that are submitted to the county or city for permit approval. Site planning, as we approach it, is the broader process of analyzing the parcel, understanding the constraints (topography, drainage, access, vegetation, zoning), and determining how the project should be organized before those technical documents are produced. We work upstream of the civil engineer, helping property owners and developers understand what the site can support, where the challenges are, and how to approach the project — so that when it's time to engage an engineer or pull permits, the direction is already clear. We also work alongside civil engineers and can help coordinate the excavation, grading, and utility work that follows their plans.

Ideally, before you close on the purchase — or at least before you commit to a specific development plan. A site assessment before purchase can reveal conditions that significantly affect project costs or feasibility: unstable soils, drainage problems, access challenges, vegetation or biological constraints, or zoning issues that limit what can be built. Any of these can dramatically change the economics of a project. If you're already under contract or have already purchased the land, the next best time is before you engage an architect or engineer — so the site constraints are understood before anyone starts designing. Call us at (707) 601-9091 to discuss where you are in the process.

The permits required depend on the scope of work, the zoning of the parcel, and its location. Most grading projects require a grading permit through the county building or public works department. Projects that move more than a certain volume of soil (thresholds vary by county) trigger additional review. Properties in sensitive areas — near riparian corridors, on steep slopes, within the Coastal Zone, or containing protected vegetation — may require biological or environmental review. Septic system installation requires a separate environmental health permit. Sonoma County permits run through the Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD); Monterey County permits run through the Resource Management Agency (RMA). We've navigated both permit offices many times and can help you understand what your specific project will require.

Topography affects almost every aspect of site planning. It determines where water flows and where it collects — which drives decisions about building pad placement, drainage system design, and the amount of grading needed. It affects access routes: steep grades require longer switchbacks or steeper climbs that may not meet fire department or county road standards. It determines cut-and-fill volumes, which directly affect project cost. On hillside properties common in Sonoma County wine country and Carmel Valley, topography can also trigger additional permit requirements for projects on slopes above a certain grade. Understanding the topography of a parcel in detail — not just from a map, but from a field assessment — is one of the most important parts of site planning work in this region.

A grading plan is a technical document, typically prepared by a civil engineer, that shows existing topography, proposed finished grades, cut and fill areas, drainage structures, and erosion control measures. It's required for permit applications whenever a project involves significant earthwork — the specific thresholds vary by county and project type, but generally any project that moves substantial amounts of soil, involves slopes, or is near sensitive areas will require one. For simpler projects on relatively flat parcels with minimal earthwork, a grading permit may not be required, but it's worth confirming with the applicable county before proceeding. We can help you understand whether a formal grading plan is required for your project and what it will need to include.

DW Excavation handles utility trenching and installation directly — we don't just plan it, we do the work. During site planning, we determine the routing and depth of utility runs, identify conflicts between different utility types, and coordinate with the civil engineer's drawings to make sure the trenching plan works with the grading plan. For utility connections that require involvement from a public utility (PG&E for electrical service, a municipal water district for water connections, etc.), we coordinate the timing and sequence of work so our excavation supports their requirements. Having the site planning and utility execution under the same contractor simplifies coordination and reduces the risk of miscommunication between trades.

Yes. Agricultural properties — vineyards, row crop farms, ranches — often have site planning needs that are different in scale and character from residential or commercial development. Access planning for large agricultural parcels involves road grades, turning radii, and surface materials suited to farm equipment. Water infrastructure planning for irrigation involves long mainline runs, pump placement, and reservoir or pond siting. Building placement for agricultural structures needs to account for utility service, vehicle access, drainage, and often fire protection requirements. We work on agricultural properties throughout Sonoma County wine country, the Salinas Valley in Monterey County, and across the California Central Coast. If you have an agricultural project, call us to discuss the scope.

Land drainage planning analyzes how water moves across a site — where it enters, where it collects, and where it exits — and designs grading and drainage structures to manage that flow in a controlled way. This might involve establishing positive drainage away from building foundations, creating drainage swales to channel water to a collection point, installing French drains or drainage pipes, or designing detention areas that slow stormwater release. Land leveling involves the grading work to create a level pad for a building, yard, or other use — accounting for the cut and fill volumes involved, compaction requirements for the finished subgrade, and how the leveled area will drain. These two elements — drainage and leveling — are closely linked, because a level pad that doesn't drain properly creates its own problems.

Call us at (707) 601-9091 or use the contact form on this page. It helps to have the parcel address or APN, a general sense of what you're planning to build or develop, and any existing information about the site — survey documents, existing structures, current zoning, or prior permit history if you have it. A site visit is almost always the right starting point. It takes less time than you'd think and gives us the information we need to give you a realistic assessment of what the project requires and what it will cost to execute.

Our primary service areas are Sonoma County and Monterey County, covering the full geographic range of both counties. We also serve Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, and Santa Clara County as part of the broader California Central Coast region. If you're not sure whether your parcel falls within our service area, call us directly and we'll let you know.