San Luis Obispo County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Issuing authority
- County Engineer
- Legal basis
- Streets & Highways Code Ch. 5.5
- Security required
- Bond, cash, or CD deposit
- Fee waiver threshold
- Work under $50 estimated cost
- Cure period for defects
- 5 days
- Appeal deadline
- 5 days after denial notice
Summary
San Luis Obispo County requires a written encroachment permit before anyone digs, builds, or places anything in a county road right-of-way. The county engineer issues these permits under County Code Section 13.08.010, applying the state Streets and Highways Code's encroachment rules to excavations, driveway cuts, and other private work touching county-maintained roads and sidewalks.
The county engineer may issue written encroachment permits in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 1450) of Division 2 of the Streets and Highways Code.
Full Breakdown
5 (commencing with Section 1450) of Division 2 of the Streets and Highways Code. 030, describing the work, its location, and its estimated duration and cost. 050, a satisfactory surety bond, cash deposit, or certificate of deposit sized to guarantee compliance with the permit's conditions. 055 sets a filing fee by board resolution, but the county engineer may waive it for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, individual tree-trimming applications, or work estimated to cost less than fifty dollars. 060; if the engineer instead denies it, any security is returned and the applicant may appeal. 075).
Violations & Fines
If permitted work isn't finished properly, the county engineer gives written notice under Section 13.08.090; failure to fix the defect within five days lets the engineer cancel the permit or complete or remedy the work and deduct the cost from the applicant's security. If the security runs short, the applicant must reimburse the county for the excess upon written demand (Section 13.08.100). Permittees indemnify the county against claims arising from the work under Section 13.08.130.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues encroachment permits in San Luis Obispo County?
Do I need to post a bond for an encroachment permit?
Can the filing fee be waived?
What happens if I don't fix defective work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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