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

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

Key Facts

Base permit fee
$85.00
Plan check fee
50% of permit fee, $85 min
Blanket permit
$7.50 per location
No-permit penalty
Double the fee

Summary

Private use of Imperial County right-of-way requires an encroachment permit through the public works director, with fees starting at an $85 base rate.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Imperial County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Applications requesting issuance of permits pursuant to Sections 12.12.010 or 12.12.080 of this chapter shall be filed with the public works director together with the required fees. ... Applications for permits required by this chapter shall be accompanied by a fee as follows: Basic permit fee: $85.00 ... Work done without a permit, except as authorized under emergency circumstances, will be charged at double the above fees.

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 62 - 9-25).

Full Breakdown

Applications under Chapter 12.12 are filed with the public works director (§ 12.12.020). Section 12.12.030 sets a basic permit fee of $85, plus inspection fees scaled by linear footage for trenching, road-crossing borings and driveway cuts, a plan-check fee of 50% of the permit fee (min. $85), and a blanket-permit rate of $7.50 per location per reporting period. Work performed without a permit is billed at double the scheduled fee.

Violations & Fines

Doing permit-required work without first obtaining an encroachment permit doubles all applicable fees under § 12.12.030(F); the underlying placement is also unlawful under § 12.12.010, enforceable under the general penalty at § 1.16.010.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues encroachment permits in unincorporated Imperial County?
The public works director, under Imperial County Code § 12.12.020 and § 12.12.030, which also sets the $85 base fee schedule.
What if I do the work before getting a permit?
Section 12.12.030(F) charges double the normal fee for work done without a permit, on top of any other penalty.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Imperial County

All Imperial County rules

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