Fill Dirt in Greenbrae, CA

In Greenbrae you can expect delivered fill dirt to range roughly from $12 to $35 per ton, or about $15 to $45 per cubic yard. Final price depends on haul distance, volume ordered, whether material contains organics or debris, and site access. Use our zip-code pricing tool or contact our sales team for a firm quote for your address.

For sloped driveways in Greenbrae, choose clean, free-draining fill where possible: a well-graded fill with a mix of sand and fines or a blend of fill dirt capped with a coarse aggregate (3/4u0022 to 1u0022 crushed rock) is ideal. Pure fine silty fill dirt can retain water and lead to slumping in wet coastal winters, so cap with crushed stone and use proper slope grading and edge restraint.

Fill dirt by itself generally does not drain well on clay sites and can increase runoff and settlement during rainy months in Greenbrae. To control erosion and improve drainage, install a drainage layer (coarse rock or perforated pipe), slope surface away from structures, and use geotextile fabric or vegetation to stabilize exposed areas. For critical slopes, consider engineered fill or professional drainage design.

Use this rule: cubic yards = (square feet x depth in feet) / 27. For a 1,000 sq ft area: 3u0022 (0.25 ft) ≈ 9.3 yd3, 6u0022 (0.5 ft) ≈ 18.5 yd3, 12u0022 (1.0 ft) ≈ 37 yd3. At a typical fill dirt density of 1.2–1.5 tons per cubic yard that equals about 11–14 tons for 3u0022, 22–28 tons for 6u0022, and 44–55 tons for 12u0022; always order a small extra allowance for settlement and compaction.

Large deliveries and grading often trigger permitting or notification in Marin County. If your project changes site drainage, alters topography significantly, or is part of a building permit (retaining walls, foundations, septic), you may need a grading permit or approval from Marin County Planning or Public Works. Check with Marin County and the Greenbrae homeowners association if applicable before placing large volumes.

For retaining wall backfill, crushed rock or engineered granular fill is usually preferred in Greenbrae because it drains well and compacts predictably, reducing hydrostatic pressure. Fill dirt can be used behind low, non-structural garden walls if well-drained and properly compacted, but for structural walls, foundations, or sites with high groundwater or clay soils, use engineered fill per an engineer’s specifications.

A common spec for residential fills is 90–95% relative compaction (Standard Proctor), using lifts of 6 to 8 inches and mechanical compaction equipment. Compaction testing is not always required for small landscape fills, but it is often required for permit-related work (foundations, retaining walls, septic systems) in Marin County. If a permit or engineer is involved, follow their specified compaction percentage and testing schedule.

Local sources include Marin County and North Bay aggregate yards and landscape suppliers; Hello Gravel connects you with vetted local suppliers and haulers near Greenbrae. Typical lead times for non-emergency orders are 2–5 business days, though small orders may take longer and next-day delivery options may be available for an extra fee. Minimum orders usually start around 3 tons.

Fill dirt used as a surface will settle and erode over time, especially after Greenbrae’s wet winters; expect maintenance or top-up every 1–5 years depending on traffic and drainage. For driveways and high-use paths, use a capped layer of crushed rock for durability and reduce how often you need to replenish. Good drainage and edge restraints significantly extend surface life.

Septic systems have strict local requirements; fill dirt is sometimes used for non-structural backfill but may not be acceptable for leach fields where percolation characteristics matter. Marin County Environmental Health typically specifies acceptable materials and compaction for septic systems, so consult them and your septic designer. Avoid organic-rich or contaminated fill and follow the engineer’s or county’s material specs.

Measure your area and use the cubic yards formula to calculate needs, then add 5–10% for compaction and settlement. Request delivery windows, note site access and overhead obstructions at checkout, and add order notes about where to drop material; drivers may provide tailgate spreading at their discretion but it is not guaranteed. Contact our team if you need help estimating or have permit-related questions.