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

030 requires an encroachment permit before anyone cuts, opens or excavates a street, curb, gutter, driveway, sidewalk or other public right-of-way or City easement, or installs a pipe, conduit, duct, tunnel, vault, wire, cable or utility structure there, or uses the right-of-way for nearly any other purpose. 040 routes the application to the City Engineer's office, and requires the permittee to first locate existing underground facilities such as sewer, electric, gas, communications and storm drain lines, notify their owners, and submit scaled construction plans signed by a registered civil engineer where required.

060 conditions every permit on proof of a valid City business license, proof of other agency permits (state, county, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and railroads are specifically listed), cooperation on shared trenching, adequate insurance, on-site safeguards, and at least one full working day's notice to the City before construction begins. 130 lists five separate fees the City charges: a processing fee, an engineering and inspection fee, a field marking fee for locating sewer and storm drain lines, a slurry seal fee for new asphalt, and a record drawing archiving fee, each set at the City's current adopted rate. 120 lets the City Engineer require a faithful performance bond or labor and material bond sized to the project. 090.