Utah County · Silicon Slopes
Excavation, Grading & Sitework Contractor — Lehi, UT
Lehi is the fastest-growing construction market in Utah — Silicon Slopes office and data-center development, dense mixed-use, and bench neighborhoods climbing Traverse Mountain. That growth demands sitework that can keep a tight commercial schedule and handle everything from flat valley pads to steep benched lots. Cadoava self-performs the excavation, grading, utilities, and concrete on Lehi projects so general contractors aren't juggling four subs.
Sitework built for Lehi
Built for commercial speed
Lehi's tech and mixed-use projects run on aggressive schedules. Self-performing every step keeps your critical path intact.
Traverse Mountain benches
Bench lots mean cut/fill, retaining, and drainage done right — water moving the wrong way on a slope is expensive to fix later.
Heavy utility demand
Dense Lehi development means serious underground utility coordination — water, sewer, storm, and dry — installed to line, grade, and inspection.
What we focus on here: Commercial sitework, grading, underground utilities, retaining walls, and concrete for fast-moving Lehi development.
What Lehi requires before you dig
Every rule and number below comes from Lehi's own code, fee schedule, or published guidance — each one linked. Last verified 2026-08-22.
A 2-foot grade change triggers a permit
Lehi requires a Grading Permit under Development Code Chapter 12-B, Section 12-B.020, whenever a project changes a lot's elevation more than two feet from adjacent properties and surrounding roadway grades, disturbs more than one acre, or adds a retaining or modular block wall over four feet tall. Cut and fill are calculated separately, then added together — even if excavated material is reused as fill on the same site. The permit fee is $100 for the first 20 acres.
Source: Lehi City Development Code, Ch. 12-BNew rule: 4-ft+ retaining walls need a separate building permit
As of Chapter 12-C, adopted August 26, 2025, any retaining wall holding back four feet or more of fill in Lehi now requires a separate Building Permit — not just the Grading Permit — with full structural and geotechnical submittals. The fee is $250 plus a $2,000 refundable performance bond. This is new: a contractor quote written before August 2025 would be wrong about this requirement.
Source: Lehi City Development Code, Ch. 12-CSlopes over 10% require soils and geologic reports
Lehi's Hillside Preservation Overlay, Development Code Chapter 12-A, Sections 12-A.020(A) and (C), applies to any property with a slope of 10% or greater. Before development approval, the city requires a soils report stamped by a licensed geotechnical engineer and a geologic report stamped by a licensed geologist, covering seismic and landslide hazards. Above 30% slope, no grading, excavation, or structure is allowed unless specific engineering measures are taken, per Section 12-A.030(A)–(B).
Source: Lehi City Development Code, Ch. 12-ADriveway approach permits run $50 to $80 per linear foot
Cutting a new driveway approach into a Lehi city street requires a Driveway Approach Permit through the Public Works Permits portal. Per the FY2027 Fee Schedule, the fee is $50 for an approach at existing curb, gutter, and sidewalk, $40 per linear foot if built past city standard, and $80 per linear foot where no approach currently exists. Any street cut also needs an Encroachment Permit, and contractors must call a Public Works Inspector 48 hours before cutting.
Source: Lehi City FY2027 Fee ScheduleLehi FAQs
Do you work on commercial projects in Lehi?
Yes — Lehi's commercial and mixed-use growth is core to what we do. We sub to GCs and developers on grading, utilities, and concrete, and we self-perform to hold the schedule.
Can you handle benched lots on Traverse Mountain?
Yes. Bench sites need careful cut/fill, retaining walls, and drainage. We engineer the grading and walls for the slope and soil so the site stays put.
Do I need a grading permit to change the grade on my Lehi property?
If your project changes elevation more than two feet from adjacent properties, disturbs more than an acre, or adds a wall over four feet tall, Lehi requires a Grading Permit under Development Code Chapter 12-B. Cadoava handles the permit application, cut/fill calculations, and city coordination as part of the excavation and grading work.
What does it cost to cut a new driveway approach in Lehi?
Lehi's Public Works fee schedule sets driveway approach fees at $50 where curb, gutter, and sidewalk already exist, or up to $80 per linear foot for a brand-new curb cut. Cadoava pulls the Driveway Approach and Encroachment permits and coordinates the required 48-hour inspection call so your concrete and grading work stays on schedule.