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

125 governs any excavation, construction, maintenance, or repair in a public street, alley, or other public place, and the requirement is universal: even a City department or another governmental agency must obtain an encroachment permit before doing that work. Applications go to the Community Development Department and must show the work location, a description of the work, and compliance with the section's completion-of-work, annual utility work plan, and coordination and scheduling requirements. The Director may deny a permit outright when the work would be detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare, or when the applicant fails to meet the filing requirements.

Permittees pay an encroachment permit fee plus the City's costs for plan check, issuance, and inspection, set by Council fee resolution. Once issued, work must proceed with due diligence and minimize obstruction of the street, sidewalk, or alley; if the Director of Public Works finds a lack of progress or noncompliance, the City can complete the work itself at the permittee's expense after notice. Utilities installing underground conduit face added rules: pipes and mains must sit at least three feet below street gutter grade or two feet below other public places, and any utility must file an annual utility work plan and coordinate excavations over 300 lineal feet with the City's roadway maintenance schedule to avoid cutting into newly paved streets.