It is the declared intent of the County of San Mateo to promote the conservation of natural resources, including topography and vegetation, as well as to protect health and safety, which includes the reduction or elimination of the hazards of earth slides, mud flows, rock falls, undue settlement, erosion, siltation, and flooding, or other special conditions. To achieve these goals, the adverse effects of grading, cut-and-fill operations, land clearing, water runoff, and soil erosion must be minimized. Therefore, the following regulatory provisions of this chapter shall apply for stringent control over all aspects of grading and clearing operations and to establish procedures for the issuance, administration, and enforcement of a permit. Visit our subpages to learn more about requirements for a Grading and Land Clearing Permit and/or permit exemption.