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Fresno County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit issued by
director of public works
Security
up to 100% of construction cost
Inspection fee
set by board of supervisors resolution
Revocation penalty
$100 per day unrestored
Covers
sidewalks, curbs, driveways, pipelines, excavation

Summary

Fresno County requires an encroachment permit from the director of public works before anyone builds sidewalks, curbs, driveway approaches, pipelines, or excavations within a county-maintained road right-of-way. County Code Chapter 13.08 lets the director demand security up to the full cost of the work and revoke the permit, with $100-a-day damages, if the road isn't restored.

City-specific rules exist: Fresno, and Clovis have their own encroachment permits rules that differ from Fresno County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

It is unlawful for any person, public utility, municipal corporation or special district to construct, install or cause to be constructed, installed or repaired, any road surfacing, sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, gutter, driveway approach, cattleguard, railroad crossing, overhead pipeline or underground conduit, or make any excavation on, in or under any existing or proposed county maintained road or any improved public road not in the county's maintained road system, as defined in Chapter 10.35 of this code, without first securing a permit therefor as provided in this chapter.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).

Full Breakdown

08, titled 'Private Improvements Within Road Rights-of-Way,' requires a permit before any private construction touches a county road. 010 makes it unlawful for any person, public utility, municipal corporation, or special district to construct, install, or repair road surfacing, sidewalks, crosswalks, curbs, gutters, driveway approaches, cattle guards, railroad crossings, overhead pipelines, or underground conduit, or to excavate on, in, or under an existing or proposed county-maintained road, or an improved public road outside the county's maintained system, without first securing a permit. 020 puts the director of public works in charge of issuing the permit from a written, signed application describing the project's location, dimensions, and profile, and lets the director require security of up to 100 percent of the construction cost, in cash, an irrevocable escrow, a surety bond, or an equivalent approved by county counsel, payable to the county or to the applicable county service area or special district that maintains the road.

An inspection fee, set by board of supervisors resolution, is due at permit issuance, though public utilities, municipal corporations, and special districts may be billed within thirty days instead of paying up front. 030 lets the director revoke the permit for noncompliance with its conditions; the permittee must then restore the road to the director's satisfaction within the time set by the director, or face a liquidated-damages charge of $100 a day for every day the road stays unrestored, or have the county perform the restoration at the permittee's expense. 08 encroachment permit before building facilities in the right-of-way, with the county required to act within sixty days of a complete application.

Violations & Fines

Building, installing, repairing, or excavating in a county road right-of-way without the Section 13.08.010 permit is unlawful. If the director of public works revokes a permit for noncompliance under Section 13.08.030, the permittee must restore the road within the time the director sets or pay $100 in liquidated damages for every day the road remains unrestored, in addition to any other remedy available under state law or the chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a driveway approach onto a Fresno County road?
Yes. Section 13.08.010 requires an encroachment permit from the director of public works before constructing a driveway approach, curb, sidewalk, or any other private improvement in or under a county-maintained road, and before making any excavation on it.
What happens if I don't restore the road after my permit is revoked?
Section 13.08.030 charges $100 a day in liquidated damages for every day the road remains unrestored after the director of public works sets a deadline, and the county can also step in and restore the road itself at the permittee's expense instead.
How much security can Fresno County require for an encroachment permit?
Up to 100 percent of the cost of constructing the work, under Section 13.08.020. The director of public works can require cash, an irrevocable escrow, a surety bond, or an equivalent security instrument approved by county counsel before issuing the permit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fresno County

All Fresno County rules

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