Where we work
Civil Engineering
Site civil engineering for California land development: site, grading and utility plans, stormwater permits, and city or county plan review.
What we do in California
Civil engineering for California sites
MES prepares site civil plans for land development in California. A plan set can cover the site plan, grading and drainage, and the utility connections.
We build the plans on the site survey and the local agency's standards. Then we take the set through review and revise it to answer each comment.
Permits and review for California site work
The city or county reviews site plans, grading permits and public improvement plans. For most private projects, it is also the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Construction that disturbs one acre or more needs coverage under the State Water Board's Construction General Permit. The site needs a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) before work starts.
Many cities and counties also require permanent stormwater measures under their municipal stormwater permit. In much of the Bay Area, most projects that create or replace 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface must include stormwater treatment.
Water and sewer connections need approval from the local provider. Ask for its connection rules early, since they can shape the site layout.
Our work in California
MES has completed civil site plans for 18 California sites in a multi-state drive-up water kiosk program. A typical set holds a cover sheet, a site plan and a utility plan. When a city asks for more sheets, we add them.
Completed California sites include Folsom, Hanford, Cathedral City and Highland. Read how the drive-up water kiosk site program runs.
Common questions
Does my California project need a SWPPP?
Yes, if construction disturbs one acre or more. A smaller site can also need one when it is part of a larger common plan of development that disturbs one acre or more.
Can MES work alongside our civil engineering firm?
Yes. MES also works with engineering firms that need extra capacity on a project. See engineering overflow support.
Does MES design the water and sewer too?
Yes. See California water engineering and California wastewater engineering.
Talk to an engineer
Tell us about your project.
An engineer reads it
Not a salesperson. Someone who can tell you whether the pathway is real.
You get a first answer
Your options, the agencies involved and the questions that decide cost and schedule.
You decide
No commitment to have the first call.
Prefer the phone? (214) 833-6748