CUT REQUIREMENTS.
Austin City Code § 30-5-341
in effect§ 30-5-341 - CUT REQUIREMENTS.
(A) Cuts on a tract of land may not exceed four feet of depth, except:
(1) in an urban watershed;
(2) in a roadway right-of-way;
(3) for construction of a building foundation or swimming pool;
(4) for construction of a water quality control or detention facility and appurtenances for conveyance such as swales, drainage ditches, and diversion berms, if:
(a) the design and location of the facility within the site minimize the amount of cut over four feet;
(b) the cut is the minimum necessary for the appropriate functioning of the facility; and
(c) the cut is not located on a slope with a gradient of more than 15 percent or within 100 feet of a classified waterway;
(5) for utility construction or a wastewater drain field, if the area is restored to natural grade;
(6) in a state-permitted sanitary landfill or a sand or gravel excavation located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, if:
(a) the cut is not in a critical water quality zone;
(b) the cut does not alter a 100-year floodplain;
(c) the landfill or excavation has an erosion and restoration plan approved by the single office; and
(d) all other applicable City Code and County Code provisions are met.
(B) A cut must be restored and stabilized.
(C) A roadway cut must be contained within the roadway clearing width described in Section 30-5-322 (Clearing For A Roadway).
Source: City Code Section 25-8-341; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 031211-42; Ord. No. 20170615-102, Pt. 47, 6-15-17.
Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT30AUTRCOSURE_CH30-5EN_SUBCHAPTER_AWAQU_ART7REALWA_DIV5CUFISP_S30-5-341CUREFetched: 10/27/2026