Best Yard Drainage Contractors in San Diego (2026): Code-Compliant Drainage + Discharge Checklist
Updated January 2026 – San Diego County
- Grading first: positive surface drainage away from buildings and toward an approved disposal area.
- Discharge clarity: a defined discharge location (not “we’ll tie it in later”).
- Stormwater compliance: construction BMPs and permit/ROW awareness when applicable.
- Correct sizing: pipe sizing, cleanouts, and accessible maintenance points.
- Proof: trench + pipe photos (and inspections where required) before anything is buried.
TL;DR — The 60-Second Drainage Contractor Test
- Ask: “Where does the water discharge?” (They should point to an exact location and explain approvals/limits.)
- Ask: “How do you keep water away from the foundation?” (Expect grading first, then drains.)
- Ask: “What is pipe size and where are cleanouts?” (If they can’t answer, they’re guessing.)
- Ask: “How will you prevent dirty runoff during construction?” (Stormwater BMPs matter even on small jobs.)
- Ask: “Will you photo document trenches before backfill (and schedule inspections if required)?”
San Diego Code & Compliance Snapshot (What “Code-Compliant Drainage” Means)
Drainage rules depend on whether you’re in the City of San Diego, San Diego County unincorporated, or another city. But the core compliance themes are consistent: keep water away from structures, prevent ponding, use approved disposal paths, and control stormwater pollution during construction.
| Requirement Area | What It Means for Homeowners | Proof to Request |
|---|---|---|
| Grading near structures | County residential final inspection checklist expects fine grading and erosion repair, with ~1% grade for 5 ft away from exterior, plus minimum clearance from grade to building elements (and weep screed clearance where stucco is present). | Site slope notes in writing + photos showing final grade relative to the house. |
| Drainage disposal (County) | San Diego County Code §87.413 prohibits ponding on drainage terraces and requires drainage facilities to carry surface water to the nearest practical street, storm drain, or approved watercourse. | A defined discharge point and route shown on a plan. |
| Construction stormwater BMPs (City) | City DS-560 states all construction sites must implement construction BMPs per the Stormwater Standards Manual; some sites require State Construction General Permit coverage (often when disturbance ≥1 acre). | BMP plan notes (wattles, inlet protection, concrete washout, etc.) and responsibility identified. |
| Grading & water pollution (City) | The City notes grading can cause water pollution; the owner/permittee is responsible for preventing “dirty water” (sediment, soils, chemicals) from entering the storm drain system — even when a permit isn’t required. | How they prevent runoff during work + post-rain clean-up plan. |
| Inspections before cover-up (City) | City inspection guidance states construction must be inspected before it’s covered; underground inspections occur after trenches are open and stormwater components are installed (systems under test if required). | Inspection schedule (if permitted) + trench photo proof before backfill. |
Drainage Systems (What They’re For and When They Fail)
A contractor who only offers one solution (usually French drains) is rarely the best choice. Good drainage work is a system decision: grading + capture + conveyance + discharge.
| System | Best Use | Common Failure |
|---|---|---|
| Surface grading / swales | Redirecting sheet flow away from structures | Not enough slope; settles over time; poor transitions |
| Area drains | Low spots collecting runoff | No cleanouts; undersized pipe; no discharge plan |
| Channel / slot drains | Capturing water at hardscape edges/thresholds | Poor slope to outlet; insufficient outlet capacity |
| French drains | Relieving saturated soils in specific zones | Installed without a true, approved discharge path |
Discharge Checklist: “Where Does the Water Go?” (The #1 Compliance Question)
Most drainage disputes and rework happen because the discharge plan is vague. In San Diego County, drainage facilities must carry surface water to a disposal location approved by the relevant authority (County Code §87.413 is explicit about this).
Ask your contractor to answer these in writing:
- What is the discharge location (exact point)?
- Is it onsite infiltration, a street/gutter path, or a permitted connection?
- What happens during a heavy storm (overflow path)?
- Does any portion require ROW/encroachment permits?
- How will outlets be protected (erosion control, debris screens where appropriate)?
If your discharge involves the public frontage, curb, sidewalk, or storm drain system, review:
Driveway & ROW Permits (San Diego) and the broader Permits & Inspections guide.
Permits & ROW: When Drainage Becomes a Permit Project
- City grading/ROW work: grading and public improvements can require permits, with stormwater requirements (DS-560) often part of submittals.
- County unincorporated: grading permits and drainage disposal expectations apply; slope work and hillside conditions increase scrutiny.
- Retaining walls: drainage behind walls is an inspected element when walls are permitted; see Retaining Wall Permits.
Drainage Quote Checklist (Code-Ready, Permit-Ready)
A strong drainage quote is not one line. It should clearly list:
- Problem areas mapped and sources identified (roof runoff, hardscape runoff, low spots)
- Final grading intent near structures (how slope is achieved)
- Drain types/locations (area, channel/slot, French where appropriate)
- Pipe material/size and approximate run lengths
- Cleanouts and maintenance access points
- Defined discharge location and overflow path
- ROW/permit plan if the discharge touches public systems
- Stormwater BMP approach during construction (sediment control, washout, inlet protection)
- QA photo documentation before backfill (and inspection schedule if permitted)
QA Photo Proof: What You Should Have Before Backfill
Drainage is buried work. If it’s not documented before backfill, you can’t verify what was installed. Require photos of:
- Trench depth and bedding prep
- Pipe layout and connections
- Cleanouts and junctions
- Drain bodies set at correct elevations
- Discharge outlet point
- Backfill approach (before compaction and after)
Full standard: QA & Documentation.
Red Flags That Predict Drainage Failure (and Rework)
- “We’ll add a French drain” with no discharge plan
- No cleanouts or maintenance access points
- Discharge location is vague or pushes water toward neighbors
- No stormwater BMP plan during construction (sediment washing into street drains)
- No trench photos before backfill
- Vague scope like “drainage as needed”
FAQs
Is drainage “code” the same everywhere in San Diego?
No. The City of San Diego, County unincorporated, and other cities have different processes and overlays. However, the fundamentals are consistent: drain away from structures, prevent ponding, discharge to an approved location, control construction runoff, and document buried work.
Are French drains always the best solution?
No. French drains help in specific saturated-soil scenarios, but many yard flooding issues are solved first by grading, capturing runoff at low points, and using a defined discharge plan.
What is the single most important drainage question?
“Where does the water go?” If a contractor can’t answer that clearly and in writing, don’t proceed.
Educational only. Always confirm jurisdiction and parcel overlays (City vs County, Coastal, hillside, ROW) and consult qualified professionals for site-specific compliance questions.