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

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

Key Facts

Permitting agency
County road commissioner
Fee
Set by board of supervisors resolution
Deposit
Cash or certified check before issuance
Work start deadline
90 days from issuance
Penalty
Up to $500 fine, 180 days jail
Appeal
To board of supervisors after hearing
Coverage
Unincorporated county only, not Angels Camp

Summary

Calaveras County requires a written encroachment permit before anyone builds, digs, plants, dumps, or parks a structure within a public right-of-way in the unincorporated county. The road commissioner issues permits, sets fees, and can require a cash deposit; work must start within ninety days. Violating the encroachment ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and 180 days in jail, with each day a separate offense.

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

It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association, without first obtaining a written permit, to encroach or to make or cause to be made any encroachment of any nature whatever within, upon, over or under the limits of any right-of-way in the unincorporated territory of the county, or to make or cause to be made any alteration of any nature within, upon, over or under such right-of-way; or to construct, put upon, maintain or leave thereon, or to cause to be constructed, put upon, maintained or left thereon, any obstruction or impediment of any nature whatever. ... Any person, firm, corporation or other body or association of persons who violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than one hundred eighty days, or by both.

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 23 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

030). 040 makes any such act unlawful without a written permit issued by the road commissioner. 120). 080). 140). 180). 400). This chapter governs only the unincorporated county; Angels Camp, the county's one incorporated city, administers its own encroachment rules.

Violations & Fines

Encroaching without a permit, or violating a permit's terms, is a misdemeanor under § 12.08.410, punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 180 days in county jail, or both, with each day the encroachment continues charged as a separate offense. The road commissioner can also cancel a permit for lack of diligence, restore the right-of-way, and bill the permittee for the cost plus a fifteen percent administrative surcharge under § 12.08.150.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to put a driveway culvert in the county right-of-way?
Yes. Section 12.08.040 makes it unlawful to build, place, or maintain any culvert, pipe, structure, or obstruction within a public right-of-way without a written permit from the road commissioner. The application is filed with supporting maps under §§ 12.08.100 and 12.08.110, and fees and any required cash deposit must be paid before the permit becomes effective.
How long do I have to start work once the county issues my encroachment permit?
Ninety days from the date of issuance under § 12.08.140, unless the permit states a different period. If work has not begun within that window, or within the time the road commissioner allows in writing, the permit automatically becomes void and a new application is required before any work can proceed.
What happens if I encroach on a county right-of-way without a permit?
It is a misdemeanor under § 12.08.410, punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 180 days in county jail, or both. Each day the unpermitted encroachment continues counts as a separate offense, so an unresolved violation left in place for weeks can multiply the potential exposure significantly.
Can I appeal if the county denies my encroachment permit application?
Yes, to the board of supervisors under § 12.08.400. After a hearing, the board must find you would be substantially damaged by the refusal, that no other reasonable method achieves the same result, and that granting the permit would not be materially detrimental to public safety or welfare before it can overturn the denial.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Calaveras County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsSignificant Restrictions

All Calaveras County rules

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