San Mateo County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine for no permit
- $350/day, max $10,500
- Enforcing official
- Director of Public Works
- Notice before fines start
- Two mailed notices required
- Scope
- Unincorporated county roads only
Summary
Unincorporated San Mateo County requires a Public Works permit for fences, sidewalks, driveways or landscaping placed in the county right-of-way, and fines unpermitted encroachments $350 a day.
The Director of Public Works, acting as the County Roads Commissioner, may impose on the owner of the property underlying the County's public right of way, fines for encroachments without permit in the public right of way of equal to $350 per day for each day the unpermitted encroachment remains, such fines to commence on the fifth day following the date of mailing of a second notification to said property owner of the requirement that the encroachment be removed. Said second notification shall be mailed no earlier than 10 days after the date of mailing of the initial notification. The total fine amount shall not exceed $10,500. The Director of Public Works may seek collection of such fines through all lawful means.
(Ord. No. 04680, § 1, 12-10-2013)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
The county's permitting and inspection fee schedule lists sidewalks, fences, driveways, drainage work and utility trenching in the public right-of-way as permit types with set fees. If an encroachment goes in without that permit, the Director of Public Works, acting as County Roads Commissioner, can fine the underlying property owner $350 per day the unpermitted encroachment remains, up to $10,500, after two mailed notices to remove it.
Violations & Fines
$350 per day fine for an unpermitted encroachment in the public right-of-way, capped at $10,500, starting the fifth day after a second mailed notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put a fence in the county right-of-way?
What happens if I encroach without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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