Grading, leveling and pad prep with a mini excavator

Plan the job first

Measure and count your cubic yards

• Measure the area in feet. Multiply length by width by depth (in feet), then divide by 27. That gives cubic yards.
• Example only, not a recommended depth: a 10 ft by 12 ft pad dug 0.5 ft deep is 60 cubic feet, or about 2.2 cubic yards.
• Count both ways: the county’s site development FAQ counts removal, deposit or displacement, so add dirt out to gravel in.
• For base depth, follow your shed kit, paver or hot tub maker’s instructions.

Request a utility locate

• Leveling is digging. WA 811 says to contact 811 at least two, but no more than ten, business days before you start. The day of the notice, weekends and holidays do not count.
• Mark the boundary of your work area in white paint first (“whitelining”).
• Private lines, like power to an outbuilding or septic systems, are not marked. WA 811 suggests a private locator.

Check grading permits

• Pierce County’s Fill and Grade page says a permit is required for grading more than one cubic yard in critical areas, or more than 50 cubic yards in all other areas.
• Its site development FAQ says 50 cubic yards or more, and also lists work within 25 feet of a ditch, creek or stream, and new impervious surfaces such as driveways. Near any of these, check with Pierce County Planning & Public Works.
• In a city? Cities set their own permit rules, so check with your city. Area pages: Puyallup · Bonney Lake · Sumner · Auburn · Enumclaw.

Sheds, hot tubs and patios

Pierce County’s Work Exempt from Building Permit guide (PDF) covers unincorporated Pierce County. It lists these as not needing a building permit:

• A one-story tool or storage shed up to 200 square feet, at least 5 feet from other structures and meeting property line setbacks. Not for habitable or heated space.
• Self-contained hot tubs entirely above ground, not connected to potable water or a septic or sewer drain.

Other departments can still require permits. Shed setbacks: Garages, Sheds and Decks FAQ. Running power to a hot tub? See the underground conduit guide.

Keep water moving the way it did

Kitsap County Public Works’ stormwater runoff guide (PDF) says you cannot block a natural drainage course, and water needs to leave your property in the same manner and amount as before.

Summaries for planning only; follow the official text on each linked page.

Haul material in and out

The 7x14 dump trailer brings gravel in and takes dirt and sod out. No hazardous waste; please return it emptied and swept.

• Picking up gravel? Give the supplier your cubic yards and ask how much to load per trip. Bigger jobs may take more than one trip.
• Extra clean dirt? Pierce County’s Dirt page lists places that take clean fill. It says contaminated soil needs a Waste Disposal Authorization from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
• Secure every load so nothing drops, sifts, leaks or escapes. Cover dirt, sand or gravel on paved roads unless you keep six inches of freeboard in the bed (RCW 46.61.655).

Towing checks: dump trailer rental guide.

Questions

Can a mini excavator handle yard leveling?

Yes. Our listing names grading among the jobs the Kubota U27-4 is good for, and it has a backfill blade. The 7x14 dump trailer hauls dirt out and gravel in.

Do I need a grading permit in Pierce County?

Pierce County's Fill and Grade page says a permit is required for grading more than one cubic yard in critical areas, or more than 50 cubic yards elsewhere. Near those lines, check with Pierce County Planning & Public Works. In a city, check with your city.

Do I need a permit for a small shed?

In unincorporated Pierce County, the Work Exempt from Building Permit guide says a one-story storage shed up to 200 square feet needs no building permit if it is 5 feet from other structures and meets setbacks. In a city, check with your city.

How much gravel do I need?

Multiply length by width by depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Use the base depth from your shed kit, paver or hot tub maker's instructions.

How much does it cost?

The mini excavator is $335 a day, $490 a weekend or $1,050 a week. The 7x14 dump trailer is $155 a day or $575 a week. Prices are before WA sales tax and the 1.25% heavy equipment rental tax where it applies. Your exact total shows at checkout.

More guides: all rental guides. Fixing a soggy spot? See the yard drainage guide. Clearing first? See the clearing guide. Setting deck or shed footings? See the footing guide. Building a whole gravel driveway, crown and culvert included? See the gravel driveway guide.