Soil Conditions in Anaheim
Orange County presents a range of subsurface conditions. Here's what we encounter most frequently.
Alluvial Fan Deposits
Anaheim sits on the alluvial fan of the Santa Ana River, composed of Quaternary-age sands, silts, and gravels washed down from the Santa Ana Mountains. These deposits generally provide good bearing capacity near the surface, though clay lenses and silt layers of varying thickness are encountered at depth.
La Habra Formation
In the Anaheim Hills area and along the eastern margins of the city, the Pliocene-age La Habra Formation is exposed. This unit consists of poorly consolidated sands, gravels, and silty clays that can be prone to settlement and erosion, particularly on sloped terrain.
Varying Clay Content and Expansion Potential
Clay-rich soil layers throughout the Anaheim flatlands can exhibit moderate to high expansion potential. Expansion indices commonly range from 30 to 70, requiring foundation designs that accommodate volume change through deeper footings, select gravel fill, or post-tensioned slabs.
Historical Fill in Older Districts
Older portions of Anaheim, particularly near the downtown area and former agricultural parcels, may contain uncontrolled or poorly documented fill soils. These fills can be loose and compressible, often requiring removal and recompaction or deep foundation systems for new construction.
What We Do in Anaheim
Soils Reports
Geotechnical investigation and foundation recommendations for building permits.
Learn more →Grading Plans
Precise and rough grading design with drainage and earthwork calculations.
Learn more →Compaction Testing
Field density testing and fill certification for construction.
Learn more →Stormwater / LID / WQMP
WQMP preparation, LID compliance, and BMP design.
Learn more →Hydrology Reports
Drainage analysis and flood risk assessment.
Learn more →Subsurface Exploration
Drilling, CPT, and test pit programs.
Learn more →Erosion Control Plans
SWPPP and erosion control for grading permits.
Learn more →Street Improvements
Frontage, curb, gutter, and sidewalk design.
Learn more →Utility Plans
Water, sewer, and storm drain design and coordination.
Learn more →Project Coordination
One point of contact managing structural, MEP, surveying, and specialty consultants.
Learn more →We also coordinate with your structural engineer, architect, MEP consultants, and other project team members to ensure our deliverables integrate with the overall design — one point of contact for your geotechnical and civil engineering scope.
What People Build in Anaheim
ADU / Accessory Dwelling Unit
Soils reports and grading plans for garage conversions and new detached ADUs across Anaheim's residential neighborhoods.
Hospitality and Entertainment
Geotechnical and civil engineering for hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues in the Anaheim Resort and Platinum Triangle districts.
Industrial Warehouse
Foundation investigation and site grading for warehouse and distribution center projects in Anaheim's extensive industrial corridors.
Hillside Residential (Anaheim Hills)
Slope stability analysis, retaining wall design, and grading plans for custom homes and additions in the Anaheim Hills community.
Working With City of Anaheim Planning and Building Department
Anaheim's Planning and Building Department reviews grading plans, soils reports, and stormwater documents as part of the building permit process. Geotechnical reports are reviewed by the city's contract geotechnical reviewer. Plan check timelines vary based on project complexity, with typical initial reviews taking 3 to 5 weeks.
What Makes This Jurisdiction Distinct
Anaheim Resort Specific Plan applies additional design and infrastructure requirements for projects near the Disneyland Resort area
WQMP required for projects creating or replacing 10,000+ square feet of impervious area
Grading permits require a pre-construction meeting with Public Works inspection staff
Geotechnical reports for hillside (Anaheim Hills) projects must address slope stability and landslide hazards
Rough grading certification by the geotechnical engineer of record required before building permit issuance
Anaheim uses an electronic plan check system for most permit submittals. Expedited plan check is available for an additional fee. Projects in specific plan areas may require Planning Commission review before building permits are issued.
Common Questions — Anaheim
Building in Anaheim?
Tell us about your project and we'll send you a fixed-fee proposal — typically within one business day.