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

Article VI(B) of Chapter 10 makes several right-of-way activities unlawful without a permit: excavating within the county highway right-of-way under Section 10-82, placing or maintaining any encroachment under Section 10-83, building or revising an access road under Section 10-84, and cutting or filling land near a highway under Section 10-85. Section 10-82(b) further bars excavating a newly renovated highway for five years after a Notice of Completion, absent an emergency, a utility service interruption, state or federal mandate, or Board of Supervisors approval after a public hearing.

Applications go to the Director of Public Works on a form listing the applicant and contractor, the nature and location of the work, its timing, supporting site plans, and proof of liability insurance naming Butte County as an additional insured, unless the applicant is a public utility or special district. Section 10-87 ties permit issuance to payment of the fee set in the Butte County Master Fee Schedule and requires public utility companies performing tree removal or underground line work to deposit at least $300 against the county's actual inspection costs.

If work begins before a permit issues, Section 10-87(c) doubles the standard fee. A denial or condition can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors under Section 10-94 after paying the required appeal fee to the Clerk of the Board.