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

Section 5.24.010 of the Placentia Municipal Code requires an encroachment permit issued by the engineering division of the public works department for any construction or excavation performed within a public right-of-way or an easement dedicated to the city. The permit issuance fee and the inspection fees are both established by city council resolution, so the dollar amounts live in the current fee schedule rather than in the code. Two exceptions apply: work performed by contract with the city, and work inside the boundaries of a new development under construction as previously approved by the city.

Excavation has its own rules in Title 14. Section 14.04.100 bars anyone from digging, cutting into or making any excavation or opening in a public street, avenue, alley or other public place without first obtaining a permit from the public works director and making the deposits the article requires. The application under § 14.04.120 must include a map or drawing showing the exact location of the excavation relative to street lines and property corners, plus its depth, length and width, the use proposed for that portion of the street, and the depth of any pipelines or conduits.

Deposits protect the street. Under § 5.24.023, excavation within improved areas requires a cash deposit posted at permit issuance, set at $400 plus $2.50 per square foot of excavated area, refundable on written request six months after the work is complete, and waived for city-franchised utilities. Under § 14.04.150 the public works director inspects the work and requires the street to be restored to as good a condition as before the excavation, with repair costs deducted from the deposit if the permittee does not do the repair. Pipe and conduit must be laid not less than three feet from the established grade, with a 15-inch minimum cover on residential streets of 44 feet curb to curb width or less (§ 14.04.170).

Sidewalk, curb, gutter and driveway work needs a separate written application to the public works director (§ 14.04.040), and the person must give not less than forty-eight hours notice for inspection (§ 14.04.060). New or rebuilt sidewalks must be not less than five feet wide (§ 14.04.070). Under § 14.04.010, an excavation or obstruction in a street or alley between sundown and sunup must be guarded with suitable warning lights.