Kings County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Kings County Code §§ 20-111, 20-112
- Issuing officer
- Public works director / road commissioner
- State authority
- Sts. & Hwys. Code § 1460 et seq.
- Fee
- Inspection fee, set by Board resolution
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county highways only
Summary
Anyone excavating, building or placing an obstruction in, on or under a Kings County road right-of-way needs an encroachment permit from the public works director and must pay an inspection fee before work begins.
the director of public works as ex officio road commissioner for the County of Kings shall issue permits authorized by Article 2 (commencing with Section 1460), Chapter 5.5, Division 2 of the Streets and Highways Code in a manner authorized by law and by resolution of the board of supervisors.
(Ord. No. 372, § 2, 8-17-76)
Sec. 20-112. - Inspection fee. The applicant for the issuance of a permit authorized by Article 2 (commencing with Section 1460), Chapter 5.5, Division 2 of the Streets and Highways Code, shall pay a fee to cover the cost of inspection of work done in, under, on or about any county highway in an amount established by resolution of the board of supervisors.
(Ord. No. 372, § 2, 8-17-76)
Secs. 20-113—20-119. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Kings County Code § 20-111, in Article V, 'Excavations and Obstructions in County Highways,' directs the public works director, acting as ex officio road commissioner, to issue encroachment permits under the state's own encroachment-permit statute, Streets and Highways Code § 1460 et seq., for any work in, under, on or about a county road right-of-way. Section 20-112 requires the applicant to pay an inspection fee, set by Board of Supervisors resolution, to cover the county's cost of inspecting the work. This governs the unincorporated county road system only; Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran and Avenal issue their own city encroachment permits within city limits.
Violations & Fines
Excavating, building or placing an obstruction within a county highway right-of-way without an approved encroachment permit and paid inspection fee violates § 20-111 and is enforceable as a road-law violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to dig near a Kings County road?
Does this ordinance cover Hanford or Lemoore streets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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