Rough grade sign-off is one of the last building department checkpoints before a residential project closes. Inspectors are looking for specific measurable conditions — lot corner elevations, drainage slopes, swale grades — and a grading contractor who arrives at the inspection with documentation showing the measured values is in a different position than one who shows up and hopes the inspector agrees the grade looks right.
What does a residential rough grade inspection check?
A residential rough grade inspection verifies: lot corner elevations match the grading plan (typically ±0.10 ft); positive drainage away from the foundation at minimum 5% slope in the first 10 feet per IRC R401.3; swale grades drain toward the street or storm inlet without standing water; finish grade elevation is within tolerance of the approved grading plan; and the site is stable and ready for landscaping or hardscape. Documentation of measured values, not just visual inspection, supports sign-off and protects against callback disputes.
| Inspection Item | Standard | How to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Lot corner elevations | ±0.10 ft from approved grading plan | Level and rod or laser level from benchmark |
| Finish grade at building perimeter | Minimum 6 in. below bottom of siding or wood framing | Tape or rod from top of foundation to grade |
| Slope away from foundation (all sides) | 5% minimum in first 10 feet (6 in. fall) | Level board or laser level — measure drop over 10-foot run |
| Swale grade | 1% minimum; 2% preferred | Level shots at swale low points; no ponding areas |
| Street or curb tie-in elevation | Match existing curb lip or city-approved grade | Level shot from street benchmark |
| Retention or detention basin | Bottom elevation matches approved grading plan | Level shot at basin bottom — multiple points if large |
| Site stability | No erosion, rilling, or unstable cut slopes | Visual inspection — document photo evidence |
IRC Section R401.3 is the most commonly cited standard in residential rough grade disputes. It requires that final grade slope away from the foundation at a minimum of 5% — or 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet. The measurement is taken from the top of the finish grade immediately adjacent to the foundation, not from the footing or from the slab.
To document drainage slope in the field:
Take and retain photos with a measuring tape in frame at each measurement point. This is the documentation that closes disputes when a homeowner later claims drainage problems.
| Deficiency | Typical Cause | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Flat or negative drainage adjacent to foundation | Grade settled after forming; landscaping fill placed incorrectly | Re-grade perimeter; may require removal of landscaping material |
| Swale grades to a low point with no outlet | Grading plan not followed at property line; adjacent lot grade changed | Add yard drain or re-grade swale to drain to street or inlet |
| Finish grade too high on foundation | Over-fill during final grading; soil movement from landscaping | Remove excess material; maintain minimum clearance to wood framing |
| Lot corner elevation out of tolerance | Grading equipment drift; incorrect benchmark used | Re-grade to design; re-shoot and re-document |
Arriving at a rough grade inspection with documentation of measured values puts the contractor in a proactive position. What to bring:
Sitemark captures these measurements on a mobile device in the field and generates a rough grade inspection packet — a single document that includes measured values, photos, and the design vs. actual comparison — before the building inspector arrives.
Sitemark captures lot corner elevations, drainage slopes, and swale grades in the field and generates the inspection packet your building department needs for rough grade sign-off. No spreadsheets, no reconstruction from notes.
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