California Land Development

What MES does for California land development

MES helps developers and builders with the engineering behind a California site. We start with feasibility, then design the site civil, water and wastewater work.

We prepare the plan sets, take them through agency review and answer the review comments.

How approvals work for a California development

The city or county runs land use review. For most private projects, it is also the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Dividing land follows the Subdivision Map Act. That usually means a tentative map first, then a final map or parcel map.

Water supply gets checked early. A residential project of more than 500 units needs a water supply assessment under SB 610. A subdivision that size also needs written verification of supply from the water system under SB 221.

Construction that disturbs one acre or more needs coverage under the State Water Board's Construction General Permit, with a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP).

A site that needs its own water or wastewater system adds state review. See California water engineering and California wastewater engineering.

Our work in California

Our California work so far is site civil plans for small commercial sites. They are part of a multi-state drive-up water kiosk program, and each site goes through its own city review.

The program has 18 completed California sites. Read how the drive-up water kiosk site program runs.

Common questions

When should an engineer look at a California site?

Before you close, if you can. Water supply, sewer access, stormwater and the CEQA path can each change what a site can hold. A feasibility review answers those questions first.

Who reviews site plans in California?

The city or county where the site sits. The local water and sewer providers and the fire authority often review them too. Read more on civil engineering in California.