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Encroachment Permit Information & Fee Schedule

What is an encroachment permit?
An encroachment permit is written permission to excavate or otherwise encroach within Riverside County's public road right-of-way. A permit may be granted to a public utility, contractor or an individual. Permits are issued by the Transportation Department.

When are they needed?
In addition to excavations, permits must be obtained for tree planting and removal, driveway installations, placement of any structures, construction of street improvements and drainage facilities, or generally for any type of work conducted within the public road right-of-way.

What is the road right-of-way?
The road right-of-way is the full width of land owned or controlled by the County, upon which the traveled way is constructed, and which usually extends considerably beyond the edge of pavement (or traveled way) to the boundaries of the adjacent private properties.

What is the purpose of an encroachment permit?
Encroachment permits provide necessary regulation of the encroachment process so as to safeguard the public interest in the roadway facility and to ensure continuing safety and convenience for the traveling public.

What is the authority?
Encroachment permits are required pursuant to Riverside County Ordinance No. 499, which delegates authority to the Director of Transportation to administer the use of highways for such encroachments. The ordinance also establishes penalties for working without a permit and for a violation of any terms of the permit.

What is the process for obtaining an encroachment permit?
An application describing the proposed work must be completed. In many cases, three (3) sets of construction plans must be submitted along with the application. Financial security is usually required to assure compliance with the terms of the permit. Application forms are available from the offices listed below or by clicking here. Most permits are issued within 14 working days.

Where can permits be obtained?
Permits can be obtained at County of Riverside Transportation Department offices in Riverside or Palm Desert as follows:

Riverside:
County of Riverside
Transportation Department
Permits Section
4080 Lemon Street, Second Floor
Riverside, CA 92502
(951) 955-6790
Desert Permit Assistance Center:
County of Riverside
Transportation Department
Permits Section
77588 El Duna Court
Palm Desert, CA 92211
(760) 863-8267

Encroachment Permit Fee Schedule - Effective 4/08/09

    MINOR Permit Fee Inspection Fee   Unit Inspection Fee Total Permit Fee
    Tree planting, trimming or removal / Private Drain $79.00 $22.00 each   varies
    Minor drainage structures (Std 303/309/310) $79.00 3% cost     varies
    Operate and Maintain permits (Utilities) $79.00 $0.00     $79.00
    Seismic refraction survey $79.00 $210.00     $289.00
    Residential Driveway Approach $79.00 $107.00 each   $186.00
    Blanket Permits-utilities
         Case 1     Minor $79.00 $1,921.00   Annually  $2,000.00
         Case 2     Extensive $79.00 $4,921.00   Annually $5,000.00
    Riders (extensions of time) $79.00 $0.00     $79.00
    Involved Permit Fee Inspection Fee Unit Inspection Fee   Total Permit Fee
    Catch basin 300 4',7',14',21',28') $129.00 3% cost     varies
    Drop inlet / Overside Drain $129.00 3% cost      varies 
    Water / Sewer laterals $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf  varies 
    Trap fences $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Monitoring Wells / Soil Borings $129.00 $210.00     $339.00
    Landscape / Irrigation $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Commercial Driveway Approach $129.00 $264.00 each   $393.00
    Grading in Right of Way $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Curbs and Gutters $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Concrete Sidewalks $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Filming $129.00 $105.00 per day   varies
    Temporary Power Poles $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Riders (changes) $129.00 plus other appl. charges varies
    Heavy equipment crossings $129.00 $105.00 per day   varies
    AC Paving $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.72 sy varies
    Pedestrian Benches $129.00 $210.00 each   $339.00
    Utility service connections involving trenching (BH) $129.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    County required Utility Relocations $0.00 $0.00     no fee
    Utilize Right of Way $129.00 $210.00     $339.00
    Extensive Permit Fee Inspection Fee Unit Inspection Fee   Total Permit Fee
    Dry / Wet Utility trenches (less than 1000 feet) $179.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Road Closures $179.00 $105.00 per day   varies
    Street Water, Sewer, Storm drain (IP's Only) $179.00 $0.00     $179.00
    Permanent Poles / Temp Poles / Aerial Cable $179.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Storm Drains $179.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Deposit Based Permit Fee Inspection Fee Unit Inspection Fee Total Permit Fee
    Traffic Signal $129.00 3% cost     varies
    Bridges and Drainage Structures $179.00 3% cost     varies
    Dry / Wet Utility trenches (1000 feet +) $465.00 $210.00 plus $0.23 lf varies
    Penalties Permit Fee Inspection Fee Unit Inspection Fee Total Permit Fee
    Work done without benefit of permit (minor) $500.00   plus 3X fee varies
    Work done without benefit of permit (involved) $750.00   plus 3X fee varies
    Work done without benefit of permit (extensive) $1,000.00   plus 2X fee varies
    Illegal cutting pavement (in addition to permit costs) $1,000.00   plus 0.50 sf varies
    Failure to notify County of work done under blanket permit $1,000.00     Revoked $1,000.00
    Miscellaneous Permit Fee Inspection Fee Unit Inspection Fee Total Permit Fee
    Miscellaneous Plan Review / Field Review varies Current DBF hourly labor / equip. usage rates