For Type B soil, the maximum allowable slope of an excavation wall from horizontal (when sloping is used as the protective method) is:
Explanation
Appendix B gives Type B a maximum allowable slope of 1 horizontal to 1 vertical, about 45 degrees from horizontal. The other three are real figures from the same table attached to the wrong soil: Type C takes the flattest cut at 1.5:1, about 34 degrees; Type A takes 3/4:1, about 53 degrees; and 1/2:1, about 63 degrees, is the short-term exception Appendix B allows in Type A for excavations that are open 24 hours or less and 12 feet or less deep. Past 20 feet none of them applies, and the sloping or benching system must be designed by a registered professional engineer.
Law Reference: 8 CCR §1541.1 Appendix BThis topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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