Huntington Beach, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

38 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code governs private use of the public right-of-way along city streets and parkways. 010 requires an encroachment permit from the Department of Public Works, on top of any other license or entitlement the work already needs, before an owner installs structural elements, signs, lighting, parkway modifications such as surfacing or tree and shrub removal or planting, unusual architectural treatments or appendages like awnings, or new shrub plantings. The City Council sets the permit fee by resolution rather than fixing it in the code itself.

020 exempts parkway lawn and ground cover, parkway sprinkler systems, and work already covered by a valid Uniform Building Code permit. 030 flatly bans two things regardless of permit: parkway surfacing of loose rock or gravel, and private dwellings or their appendages, except where the Uniform Building Code itself allows them. 040 requires filing on a City-issued form with the Public Works Department showing the planting or work proposed; encroachments needing Public Works review must include scaled plan and elevation drawings accurately showing location, height and extent.

045 makes a permit void if the project, including restoration of the right-of-way, is not finished within 60 days, though the Director can grant one 30-day extension to the start date and one 30-day extension to the overall duration for good cause shown, in writing, with the applicable fee paid, and may allow further extensions at his or her discretion. Permits cannot be transferred to a new party without proof of that assignee's current Huntington Beach business license, evidence of insurance, and the written consent of both the permittee and the Director. 060 requires every permittee to sign a hold-harmless agreement approved by the City Attorney and to supply proof of insurance before construction begins. 050.