Encroachment Permit Facts/FAQ

An Encroachment Permit is also required for road closures or road detours for construction work or activities that may impede the traveling public. Prior to any road closures or detours, a copy of a traffic control plan must be reviewed and approved by the Public Works Department before an Encroachment Permit is issued.

Do I need an Encroachment Permit for surface or overhead installation in City roadways?

It depends. Unless you are working under a franchise agreement, an Encroachment Permit is required for surface or overhead installation in City roadways. Any person having permission (i.e. a franchise or other authority of law) to install such surface or overhead installations shall do so by first consulting with and fully advising the City of Patterson.

Is it against the law to perform work in the City right-of-ways without obtaining an Encroachment Permit?

Yes. According to the City of Patterson Municipal Code (Chapter 12.20 Encroachment Regulations), it is unlawful for any person not having a franchise or other authority of law to perform any activity or construction work in the City's rights-of-way without authorization from the City of Patterson. It is also unlawful to make any excavation in or upon any city highway or other public place or to construct, install, or make a new or different use of any siphon, bridge, pipeline, conduit or similar structure in, along, upon or across any city highway, or other public place without first obtaining an Encroachment Permit.

In some instances an Encroachment Permit from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is required for work done on a State Road or Highway (i.e. Highway 33).

How & where do I apply for a City Encroachment Permit?

You can apply for an Encroachment Permit by visiting the Public Works Department located at 1 Plaza, 2nd Floor, Patterson, CA 95363. You may also contact (209) 895-8060 for general Encroachment Permit information. The permit application can be found on the City's web site.

What are the Steps in Applying for an Encroachment Permit?

There are currently six basic steps in obtaining an Encroachment Permit though the City's Public Works Department. The process begins by submitting an application to the Public Works Department and ends after the one-year warranty period of the installed improvements (if any). Typically the warranty period begins after the Public Works Inspector has signed off the permit and accepted the improvements. The six steps are summarized below:

1. Application Submittal: The applicant or permitee will submit a completed application along with any required construction plans and traffic control plans; Certificate of Liability Insurance and Endorsement naming the City of Patterson as additionally insured.
2. Review & Approval: Depending on the type of project, the Public Works Department may either review and approve the application or refer the application to the Engineering Department for a more in-depth review to determine if all design standards have been met and to ensure safety to the public. Depending on the scope and detail of the work or activity to be performed, supporting documentation (such as plans, profiles, topography, environmental documentation, drainage calculations, pipeline maintenance agreements, will serve letters, surety bonds, and/or liability insurance) may be required.
3. Permit Issuance: Upon permit approval and payment of permit fees, the Public Works Department will issue the approved Encroachment Permit to the applicant.
4. Construction Inspection: The applicant will need to contact the Public Works Department to request an inspection. When calling to schedule an inspection, the applicant must provide the permit number, job address, contact person's name, telephone number, and type of inspection to be performed. The contact information for the Public Works Inspector can be found on your issued encroachment permit. All work performed within City rights-of-way shall be inspected by the Public Works Inspector. The Public Works Department will need to be notified 48-hours prior to beginning any construction work or making a change in the construction dates.
5. Final Improvement Acceptance: The Public Works Inspector will sign-off and accept the improvements once all the work or activities have been performed per the conditions of the permit.
6. One-Year Warranty: The applicant warrants all of the improvements as to material quality and workmanship for one year. Should any failure of the improvements or any part thereof occur within a period of one year after the final acceptance date, the applicant shall make the needed repairs as directed by the Public Works Inspector without any incurring expense or cost to the City.

How long will it take to process an Encroachment Permit application?

The Public Works Department will either approve or deny an Encroachment Permit Application upon determination that the application submittal is complete or incomplete. The Public Works Department has the authority in what constitutes a completed Encroachment Permit Application submittal. The actual time needed to review and approve the application will depend on the completeness of the initial submittal, scope of the work, the level of complexity of the proposed work, and whether a pipeline maintenance agreement will be required (normally three working days). Permits that are more complex may require additional time to perform and coordinate adequate plan review with the Public Works Department and/or Engineering Department.

Special Events Encroachment Permit & Requirements:

All Special Events that will be held on a public facility or that will encroach on public right-of-way (i.e., Parks, City buildings, Sidewalks, or Streets) must obtain an Encroachment Permit from the City. All event holders will be required to sign off on the Encroachment Permit Requirements and Conditions and comply with all Environmental Program Regulations (F.O.G., Stormwater, Water Conservation, Recycling, and Cross-Connection), which are included in the Special Events Application Package (The event holder must also provide adequate liability insurance, and pay the current Encroachment Permit Fee. All Special Events are coordinated through the City's Recreation Department. For Further information call (209) 895-8080.

How much does an Encroachment Permit cost?

The basic Encroachment Permit fees are listed below:

Additional cost may be applicable to the permit to cover plan reviews, field reviews, construction inspections, re-inspections (if required), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water quality review, and other fees as determined by the Public Works Director.

The total cost will be determined in accordance to the latest Fee Schedule adopted by the City Council. The fee schedule can be found online Fees may vary depending on the type of encroachment that is requested. For larger projects (i.e. full street improvements, subdivision type work, etc.) a financial security deposit may be required.

The permit application shall be accompanied by a personal check, certified check, cashier's check, letter of credit, performance bond executed in favor of the City by a surety company or, other acceptable payment method. The check should be made out and payable to "City of Patterson." The amount shall be in a sum not less than the amount estimated in the application as the cost of faithfully performing all work to be done under the permit applied for, and conforming to all conditions or restrictions which may be specified in the permit.

In lieu of the payment required with each application, any applicant may make a blanket deposit in a form and amount acceptable to the Public Works Department. Any remaining funds in the deposit balance will be returned to the applicant or exonerated by the Public Works Department at the end of the one-year warranty period.

Please note that currently the City of Patterson does not accept credit card payments for Encroachment Permits.