San Marcos, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

010(i), as constructing, placing, or maintaining anything on, over, or under a Public Place that prevents, obstructs, or interferes with its normal use, including culverts, drainage facilities, pathways, walls, fences, billboards, stands, or any structure not otherwise named. 020 requires a Permit from the Director for any person who wants to place, repair, maintain, or change a permanent or temporary encroachment, or perform encroachment work, anywhere in the City. 21 permit: encroachments already covered by a separate City agreement or franchise, Minor Architectural Encroachments projecting six inches or less into the right-of-way, encroachments allowed under the adopted Building Code, Parkway vegetation 24 inches or shorter at maturity, subsurface irrigation lines, mailboxes, and standard concrete or asphalt driveways.

050. 070 requires that any encroachment not block an ADA-compliant pedestrian path, not create a public hazard, and not risk damaging the right-of-way. 080 places maintenance duty on the adjacent property owner who installed or wants to keep the encroachment, and the Director can deem it abandoned if the owner will not assume that duty in writing. 090 gives the Director authority to immediately remove or require removal of any encroachment, lawful or unlawful, that obstructs a Public Place, is poorly maintained, is deemed abandoned, endangers motorists or pedestrians, carries unauthorized advertising, or that the Director simply decides no longer serves the City's interest. 130 separately declares any work done contrary to a permit's terms a public nuisance the City Attorney may sue to abate.