Soil Conditions in Corona
Riverside County's Inland Empire soils range from deep alluvial fan deposits to weathered granitic bedrock. Here's what we encounter most often.
Temescal Wash Alluvium
Corona straddles the Temescal Wash, and much of the valley floor consists of alluvial deposits ranging from recent loose sands to older, moderately dense silty and clayey soils. These alluvial soils can vary significantly over short distances, requiring site-specific geotechnical investigation for accurate foundation recommendations. Shallow groundwater may be encountered near the wash, particularly during wet years.
Colluvial Deposits on Hillsides
The hills surrounding Corona are mantled with colluvial soils — slope wash materials that have accumulated over time through gravity and surface runoff. Colluvial deposits are typically loose to medium dense and can be prone to slope instability, particularly when saturated. Projects on sloped lots often require removal and recompaction of colluvium or engineered fill slope construction.
Silverado & Santiago Formation Bedrock
The elevated terrain around Corona exposes bedrock from the Silverado Formation and Santiago Formation, consisting of sandstone, siltstone, and claystone. These materials generally provide excellent bearing capacity but can be highly variable in hardness and may require specialized excavation equipment. Weathered zones near the surface can behave like expansive clay soils.
Elsinore Fault Zone Seismicity
The Elsinore fault zone runs along the southwestern margin of Corona, and the area is subject to strong ground shaking from this and the nearby San Jacinto fault. Liquefaction susceptibility exists in loose alluvial areas near the Temescal Wash. All new structures must be designed to current seismic code requirements with site-specific ground motion parameters.
What We Do in Corona
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 and BMP design for stormwater compliance.
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 Corona
Single-Family Homes & ADUs
New residential construction and ADU additions throughout Corona's established neighborhoods and newer master-planned communities on the city's expanding edges.
Commercial Retail & Office
Mid-rise office buildings and retail centers along the SR-91 corridor and near the Dos Lagos mixed-use development serving the growing Inland Empire population.
Hillside Residential
Custom homes on sloped parcels in the South Corona hills and Eagle Glen area, requiring detailed geotechnical analysis for slope stability and specialized foundation design.
Industrial & Distribution
Warehouse and logistics facilities along Temescal Canyon Road and the I-15 corridor, often requiring large-area geotechnical investigation and deep fill compaction programs.
Working With City of Corona — Building & Safety Division
The City of Corona requires geotechnical investigations for new construction, grading permits, and significant additions. Plans are submitted to the Building & Safety Division for review. Corona enforces strict grading ordinance requirements and requires erosion control measures for all earthwork activities.
What Makes This Jurisdiction Distinct
Geotechnical report required for all new construction and additions over 500 square feet
Grading permit required for earthwork exceeding 50 cubic yards
Alquist-Priolo fault rupture hazard investigation required for parcels within the Elsinore fault zone
WQMP required for priority development projects under the Santa Ana Region MS4 permit
Corrosivity testing (sulfate and chloride) required for all new foundations due to local soil chemistry
Corona accepts plan check submittals both digitally and in person. Initial geotechnical report review typically takes 3-4 weeks. Projects within the Elsinore fault zone should expect additional review time for the fault hazard investigation.
Common Questions — Corona
Building in Corona?
Tell us about your project and we'll send you a fixed-fee proposal — typically within one business day.