Santa Cruz County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- County Director of Public Works
- Governing section
- SCCC § 9.70.050(A)
- Applies to
- Sidewalks, curbs, driveways, fences in right-of-way
- Time to start work
- 90 days from permit issuance
- Transferability
- Permit is non-transferable
- Security required
- Bond or cash deposit for larger work
- Default penalty
- Up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine
Summary
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, you cannot build a sidewalk, driveway, fence, or any other private improvement in a county road right-of-way without a written encroachment permit from the Director of Public Works. The rule covers sidewalks, curbs, culverts, plantings, and structures placed on or under the maintained road.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, company, corporation, association, political subdivision or organization, without first obtaining a written permit, to encroach upon, or make or cause to be made any encroachment over or under the limits of any County-maintained road in the unincorporated territory of the County, or to make or cause to be made any alteration of any nature within, upon, over or under such County-maintained road.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).
Full Breakdown
050(A) makes it unlawful to encroach on or alter any County-maintained road in the unincorporated territory without first obtaining a written permit from the Director of the Department of Public Works. 030(E)(5) expressly includes constructing or maintaining a sidewalk, curb and gutter, driveway, private road, or drainage facility within the right-of-way, so any private sidewalk work touching county road frontage falls under this permit requirement, not a separate sidewalk ordinance. 050(A)(1), such as postmaster-approved rural mailboxes and low plantings that do not block pedestrian travel, but everything else needs the permit.
080). 170). 190. The Director can also require removal of any authorized item that becomes a traffic hazard or interferes with road maintenance, and permits must be displayed at the job site or, for continuing encroachments, kept available on demand.
Violations & Fines
Encroaching on a county right-of-way without a permit, or violating permit conditions, is enforced under the county's general penalty scheme. Because Title 9 does not set its own penalty, a violation defaults to a misdemeanor under SCCC § 1.12.010, punishable under § 1.12.030 by up to six months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, and each day the unpermitted encroachment continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put a sidewalk or path in the county right-of-way?
What happens if I build in the right-of-way without a permit?
How long do I have to start work after getting an encroachment permit?
Can I transfer my encroachment permit if I sell my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.