Designing a Malibu Hillside Driveway With 3D Grading Models
A vacant Malibu lot off Pacific Coast Highway sits on a 22% slope. Here's how we used 3D terrain models to fit a 15% fire access road with minimal grading.
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Hillside
Posts on hillside engineering in Los Angeles — slope analysis, the Baseline Hillside Ordinance, retaining walls, and how steep is too steep.
Pacific Palisades Earthwork: How We Stayed Under 1000 CY to Avoid a Haul Route
Earthwork analysis for a Pacific Palisades single-family home with a basement. Existing and proposed contours plus cut/fill depth model to stay under 1000 CY and skip the LADBS haul route hearing.
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Wildfire Tax Relief Extended for LA Fire Rebuilds
Senate passed the Padilla wildfire tax relief bill August 7, 2026. Insurance settlements on the 2025 LA fires stay out of federal taxable income through 2026.
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Pacific Palisades Grading Plan: 12% Slope, Basement Level, and Deep Trench Drainage
Grading plan for a Pacific Palisades hillside rebuild on a 12% slope. Garage and basement on same level with lightwell, area drains, and deep trench drainage to the street.
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Burbank Grading Plan: SB9 House with 34-Foot Slope
Burbank SB9 project on a 34-foot slope. See how we designed the garage level, handled drainage, and got planning approval.
Read MoreThe Los Angeles Baseline Hillside Ordinance Explained: What Homeowners and Contractors Need to Know
The Baseline Hillside Ordinance controls how much you can grade on hillside properties in Los Angeles. Here is what the BHO actually says, what triggers it, and how the formula works.
Read MoreWhen Does Your Los Angeles Project Need a Grading Plan? LADBS Requirements Explained
LADBS requires grading plans for hillside properties, excavations over 500 cubic yards, and ADUs in hillside zones. Here is what triggers the requirement and how to navigate the process.
Read MoreWho Do You Hire for a Grading Plan in Los Angeles?
For a grading plan in Los Angeles, you hire a civil engineer, not an architect. Here is the difference and why it matters for your project.
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Canon Boulevard Grading Plan: Steep Altadena Hillside
A steep Altadena fire rebuild grading plan near the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. We took over from another civil engineer to design cost-effective grading and drainage.
Read MoreHillside Grading in Pacific Palisades - What Fire Rebuild Projects Actually Require
Pacific Palisades fire rebuilds often require grading plans, excavation plans, stormwater sump pumps, and erosion control. Basements add complexity requiring shoring plans from structural engineers.
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Understanding Grading Plans for Hillside Construction in Los Angeles
A comprehensive guide to what goes into a hillside grading plan, why it's essential for LA construction projects, and how B+W Engineering can help streamline the process.
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Silver Lake Driveway Grading Design
After going through a few options, I started to narrow down a potential idea that works with LA City garage turnaround radius and a typical car reverse radius.
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Why Drainage Plans Are Essential for Los Angeles Hillside Homes
Los Angeles hillsides, from Pacific Palisades to Beverly Hills, offer stunning views and prime real estate for luxury homes. But building on these slopes comes with a hidden challenge: managing water.
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Hillside Grading and Drainage for Los Angeles Luxury Homes
Los Angeles iconic hills, from Bel Air to Malibu, are the backdrop for some of the city most stunning luxury homes. But building on these slopes requires expert hillside grading and drainage.
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Silver Lake Hillside Driveway looking for Optimum Route
We were tasked with finding a clean driveway path so a car can drive up the driveway and turnaround in front of the house. The conditions are steep existing driveway and not much room.
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