Site Planning and Grading Process - Landscape Site Grading Principles - page 37

table 3.1 Suggested Slope-Grading Guidelines 1

desired sLope ranGe 2 Land use MaxiMuM sLope

0.5% to 1% - Game courts such as tennis, basketball

- Urban plazas (paved) 2%

1% - Cross slope on sidewalk or paved

walkway

1% to 3% or 4% - Parking areas (paved)

- Grass or planted drainage swales 3
- Sidewalks

5%
25%

2% to 3% - Sports field such as soccer, football

- Mowed turfgrass

25%

1% to 8% - ADA accessible ramps and walks

- Public streets
- Private streets
- Access or service driveways
- Walking/hiking trails

8%
12%
10%
10% to 12%
10% to 12%

1% or 2% to 10% - Residential 25%+

1% or 2% to 10% - Commercial

Slope may vary - Cut slope 33%

Slope may vary - Fill slope 25%

2% to 25%
Slope may vary

30%
40% to 50%
1 Grading must meet local codes and requirements and, where applicable, state and federal
guidelines. Applicable grading requirements must be identified before site design and grading
work commences. This is considered a component of professional “due diligence” research and
investigation.
2 Maximum and minimum slopes may vary based on local climate and soil conditions, regional
industry or governmental standards, and construction materials selected.
3 The concern is to avoid erosion that can be caused when concentrated flows of surface water
move down a swale.

- Unmowed turfgrass slopes
- Planted slopes