Yuba County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Excavation, driveways, sidewalks, signs, tree work in ROW
- Issuing office
- Public Works Dept., ex officio Road Commissioner
- Fee basis
- Set by § 13.20.600, covers processing and insurance
- Annual permit cap
- $1,500 per job for routine minor work
- Work start deadline
- 30 days after issuance, up to 60 by Commissioner
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail
- Appeal
- Denied applicants may seek Board of Supervisors review
Summary
Before excavating, building a driveway, installing sidewalks or curbs, planting or removing street trees, or placing signs in a County road right-of-way in unincorporated Yuba County, you need an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department under Yuba County Code § 9.50.020. An unpermitted advertising sign in the right-of-way is a public nuisance the Road Commissioner may remove immediately.
9.50.020. - Permit; required. No person shall do or cause to be done any of the following enumerated things without first obtaining a permit therefor and complying with all conditions thereof and all provisions of this Chapter: (1)Excavate or fill in an excavation within a road right-of-way.(2)Install, construct, maintain, cut into, repair or remove any sidewalks, driveways, curbs, gutters, road approaches, or road surfacing; or install, repair or remove any facilities or substructures in, on, over, or under any road right-of-way.(3)Place, change or renew an encroachment.(4)Place, or display in, under or over any County highway any kind of advertising sign or device. Any such sign or device placed or displayed contrary to the provisions of this Section is a public nuisance and the Road Commissioner may immediately remove it. The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the posting of any notice in the manner required by law or by the order of any court of this state.(5)Plant, remove, cut, cut down, injure or destroy any tree, shrub, plant or flower growing within any County highway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
020 requires a permit before anyone excavates or fills within a road right-of-way, installs, cuts into, repairs or removes sidewalks, driveways, curbs, gutters, road approaches or road surfacing, places or renews an encroachment, displays an advertising sign or device in a County highway, or plants, removes or cuts down a tree, shrub, plant or flower growing within one. 010 to include any tower, pole, pipeline, driveway, private road, fence, billboard, stand or building placed in, under or over the highway; the Community Development and Services Agency's Public Works Director acts as ex officio Road Commissioner. 600 to cover processing and County liability insurance. 110). 040). 120). 280). 020(4)).
Violations & Fines
Working without a permit, violating any permit condition, or ignoring a Commissioner's requirement under Chapter 9.50 is a misdemeanor under § 9.50.330, punishable by up to $1,000.00 in fines, up to six months in County Jail, or both. Obstructing a Department inspector or blocking a required sample or test is separately prohibited under § 9.50.300. Failure to post required security can trigger permit suspension, and the Commissioner may complete the work and bill the permittee for the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put in my own driveway?
Can the County make me remove an illegal sign from the right-of-way?
How long do I have to start work once I get a permit?
What happens if the Commissioner denies my permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yuba County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yuba County to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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