Pacifica, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Community and Economic Development Director
- Lead time to secure permit
- 2 working days before work
- Moratorium on new pavement
- 3 years after paving
- Extra fee
- Utility Pavement Cut Recovery Fee
- Permit status
- Nontransferable
Summary
No one may occupy, open, tear up, or excavate any street, sidewalk, parking strip or public easement in the City of Pacifica without an encroachment permit from the Community and Economic Development Director. Permits must be secured at least two working days before work starts, and excavators also owe a Utility Pavement Cut Recovery Fee before the City will issue the permit.
No person shall occupy, open, tear up, break out, or excavate in any roadway, street, thoroughfare, sidewalk, parking strip, or public easement for the purpose of the installation, maintenance, or repair of underground facilities, or for any other purpose, without having obtained a permit therefor as required by the provisions of this article. ... The p ... ermits required by the provisions of this article shall be ... secured at least two (2) working days before the work is commenced, except in the event of emergencies. ... No person shall excavate in a public right-of-way without, in addition to all other requirements of this Code, having first paid to the City a "Utility Pavement Cut Recovery Fee." The Utility Pavement Cut Recovery Fee shall be due, as a condition of the permit required by Section 7-2.101.
Full Breakdown
101 requires a permit before anyone occupies, opens, tears up, breaks out, or excavates in any roadway, street, thoroughfare, sidewalk, parking strip, or public easement, whether for installing underground facilities, aboveground wiring on poles, or any other purpose, including publication vending machines. Applications go to the Director of Community Development and Services on City forms, with plans showing the work location, limits, pavement type, and replacement materials when the Director requests them. 103 lets the application follow on the next working day. 110 and become void if the work isn't finished by the date on the permit, unless the Director grants an extension for good cause.
No work is allowed in a newly paved street for three years after paving is completed except in circumstances beyond the permittee's control, and then only with mitigation such as a full pavement overlay. 101 permit, with the rate set by City Council resolution and adjusted annually to the Engineering News-Record construction cost index. The permittee must indemnify the City for injuries or property damage caused by the permitted work, and the Director may revoke a permit for noncompliance with the chapter.
Violations & Fines
The Community and Economic Development Director can revoke a permit under Section 7-2.112 for noncompliance with the encroachment chapter. If a permittee unduly delays the work, the City can step in and complete it under Section 7-2.209, charging the permittee its actual costs plus administrative expenses. Permittees also remain liable for any personal injury or property damage the work causes and must indemnify the City against related claims under Section 7-2.213.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead do I need to apply for an encroachment permit in Pacifica?
Can I cut into a street the City just repaved?
What is the Utility Pavement Cut Recovery Fee?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
California rules heatmap·Compare Pacifica to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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Encroachment Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle encroachment permits.