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

The permit that governs private work in the public right-of-way in Chapter 12.08 of the San Jacinto Municipal Code is the excavation permit. Under § 12.08.020, no person, either as principal, agent or employee, shall make any excavation in any public street or alley in the city without first applying for and obtaining a permit from the superintendent of public works. The exception covers repair work or emergency maintenance work necessary to the operation of a public service, which can proceed at once with the permit applied for the next day thereafter that regular business is transacted. The code uses the phrase wireless encroachment permit only in a later Title 12 chapter on wireless facilities, so this excavation permit is the general street-work permit the chapter prints.

The application goes to the superintendent of public works in writing (§ 12.08.030). It must state the applicant's name and residence or business address, the purpose, location and area of each excavation, a plat showing each proposed excavation and its dimensions, and any other details the superintendent requires. No plat is needed for a service connection, location of conduit, trouble in conduit or pipe, or repairs to them.

The fee under § 12.08.040 is one dollar ($1.00) for the first twenty-five (25) square feet of surface or less, plus an additional one dollar ($1.00) for any amount over the first twenty-five (25) square feet, paid on or before the tenth day of the month following the month of excavation. A permit covering more than one excavation of less than one square foot in the same application costs no more than $1.00. Separately, § 12.08.130 has the city perform pavement repair and restoration at fees set by city council resolution, with a paving repair fee for sewer connections of at least $50.00 per excavation repair until otherwise established, payable at the time of application.

Accepting the permit binds the permittee to the chapter and to reasonable care in maintaining the excavation (§ 12.08.050). The permittee carries all liability for injury or damage and must defend, indemnify and hold the city harmless (§ 12.08.070). Excavations must be filled with material as good as the material removed, of the same kind, location and depth (§ 12.08.080), under the supervision of the superintendent (§ 12.08.090), with barricades and red lights at night and flagmen as the work requires (§ 12.08.110), and the right-of-way must be left as presentable as before (§ 12.08.140).