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

Sec. 33-30 makes it unlawful to excavate or do other street improvement work in, on or under any public street, alley, sidewalk or other public place without an excavation permit from the public works director, unless the work is done by city officers or employees. Sec. 33-32 sets the application requirements: the applicant's name and address, the location and dimensions of the excavation, its purpose, proposed start date and duration, a current Santa Ana business license, evidence of insurance under Sec. 19, and a traffic control plan approved by the city traffic engineer, plus a nonrefundable processing and inspection fee set by council resolution.

Sec. 1 requires the applicant to call the development engineering section at least one working day before starting work to get a permit number; the permit is non-transferable and becomes void if the excavation isn't started within thirty working days of issuance, or if the work isn't finished within the stated completion period absent a director-granted extension. Sec. 19(c) requires private and non-public utility permittees to carry public liability and property damage insurance naming the city as additional insured, and, if required, to post a corporate surety bond.

Sec. 14 shields the city from liability for damage from a permitted excavation and makes the permittee solely liable and responsible for indemnifying the city. Blanket annual permits for routine utility service connections and repairs are available under Sec. 13.