Determine if your proposed project qualifies for alternative review. You may contact your local RCD or the Department of Planning and Building for assistance. 

An applicant may elect to use the Alternative Review Program for those projects in compliance with County Title 22 (Section 52.080 Subsection B). This process allows an applicant to obtain technical assistance, inspection and sign-off by either the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or the Resource Conservation District (RCD). 

The Alternative Review process is intended to provide a collaborative review process for more complex grading projects. Projects which qualify for Alternative Review may either obtain a standard County Grading Permit, or may instead choose to follow the Alternative Review process. This process allows the local Resource Conservation District (RCD) to perform the review, approval, and inspection duties in lieu of the County. There are two RCDs in the County, Upper Salinas-Las Tablas (north  of the Cuesta Grade and Morro Bay) and Coastal San Luis (south of the Cuesta Grade, including the coast from Morro Bay southward). Each RCD is operated independently and is able to define its own procedure for Alternative Review. The County does not dictate what plans need to be submitted, the timing of the review, or the final inspection process – these are all decisions made by the RCD.  Generally, the complexity of the process is directly related to the complexity of the proposed project. For example, building a wide road on steep slopes may require the involvement of a civil engineer to design the plans, while a smaller project (e.g. vegetation removal) might not even require the preparation of plans. 
 
Just because your proposal qualifies for Alternative Review does not mean you must have the project processed through the RCD. If your project qualifies for Alternative Review, you still have the option to seek approval by applying for a County Grading Permit.

Most agricultural grading projects which do not qualify for “exemption” or “agricultural grading” status will  qualify for alternative review: 

• Grading for new orchards/vineyards on slopes of 30% or more 
• Grading or vegetation removal for new rangeland on slopes of 30% or more 
• Agricultural roads 
• Streambank restoration or conservation projects (note: if another resource agency is reviewing, approving, and inspecting plans, this is exempt) 
• Recreational trails 
• Waste management systems

Please also reference the complete and comprehensive Guide to Agricultural Grading. 

1. Complete an Alternative Review Program Application - must complete, which contains information that both the County and the RCD need. The Alternative Review form is attached to the handout. (For roads and ponds you will need to contact the Agricultural Commissioner's Office to initiate their review - the process cannot continue until the Agricultural Commissioner's Office has reviewed the request and determined that the request is for agricultural purposes.) 
2. Site Plan - must be drawn to scale and include:
   • Property boundaries,
   • North arrow,
   • Labels,
   • Roads, and
   • The location of the proposed agricultural grading.

Please apply for alternative review through the online service PermitSLO.

1. To apply online, click here and find Alternative Review Program
2. Click Apply
3. Login by providing your email address and clicking "Next", or "Create an account", if you are a new user.
4. Follow the step-by-step instructions.
5. Upload the required documents in Step 2 before clicking Submit.

***Digital Copies are now required with submission***

Planning staff will look over the application submittal package and contact the primary contact with any questions.