CSLB Land Development Engineering study plan
CSLB Land Development Engineering · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Site Planning and Land Use & Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management
Map each of the nine exam domains to its weight and rank study time accordingly
Define site-planning vocabulary from memory: zoning setback, floor-area ratio, lot coverage, density, and land-use compatibility
Compute floor-area ratio, lot coverage, and dwelling-unit density for three worked parcel scenarios
Trace the path of stormwater from a graded lot through inlets, swales, and detention to a discharge point
Explain how site layout decisions constrain later grading and drainage design
Your checkpoint
One-page domain-weight study budget plus three solved site-metric problems with answers checked
Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management & Storm Drainage and Flood Control
Compute runoff volume using the rational method with a chosen runoff coefficient, intensity, and area
Size a detention basin volume given pre- and post-development peak flows using a simple hydrograph method
Sketch and label a complete storm drainage conveyance layout including inlets, laterals, trunk line, and outfall
Apply the concept of time of concentration to select rainfall intensity
Identify floodplain management constraints that affect site layout and outfall design
Your checkpoint
A worked stormwater calculation set (runoff, detention volume, pipe sizing) with a labeled drainage schematic
Earthwork and Geotechnical Considerations & Erosion and Sediment Control
Classify soils by grain size and plasticity and relate each class to compaction and drainage behavior
Compute cut and fill volumes using the average end-area method on a simple earthwork example
Interpret standard compaction test results and field density test results against a target relative compaction
Select erosion and sediment control best management practices for a sloped construction site
Sequence temporary versus permanent stabilization measures across construction phases
Your checkpoint
An earthwork balance sheet (cut, fill, net import/export) plus a BMP selection table for a sample site
Roadway and Street Design & Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management
Apply geometric design criteria for horizontal curves, vertical curves, and stopping sight distance
Compute pavement cross-slope drainage and identify minimum and maximum longitudinal grade limits
Lay out a residential street network with appropriate intersection spacing and cul-de-sac dimensions
Check a street profile for grade breaks and vertical curve length adequacy
Your checkpoint
A roadway plan-and-profile design exercise with sight distance and grade checks documented
Milestones
Week 4: Score at least 70% on a self-made 30-question quiz covering Domains 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8