Lake Tahoe, CA/NV — The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is reminding residents and contractors that the annual grading and digging season for permitted projects will end on Tuesday, October 15. All construction sites must be winterized through the wettest part of the year to protect Lake Tahoe’s famed water clarity. Grading season in the Tahoe Basin runs from May 1 to October 15 every year.

The agency will approve grading season exceptions for projects on a case-by-case basis if a public health, safety, or water quality emergency exists. Visit trpa.gov/inspections-and-securities/ for grading season exception information and winterization requirements.

The long-standing requirement helps prevent sediment from washing into stormwater systems and the lake and prevents soil compaction and disturbance during the wettest months.

Some activities are considered exempt and do not require TRPA approval, even outside of the grading season. These projects must still be stabilized during wet conditions and stopped when covered with snow. A list of exempt projects is under Frequently Asked Questions.

The grading and digging season for permitted projects at Lake Tahoe will open again May 1, 2025.

Image Caption: An example of winterization requirements for all projects under construction in the Lake Tahoe Basin. TRPA and partner agencies inspect sites for these procedures to help property owners and project managers control erosion and sediment during wet conditions.

###

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, Public Information Officer, at 775-589-5278.