Road Permit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where are your Permit Offices and what hours are they open?

Answer:

The link below will provide a list of our Permit Offices and their addresses. Unless otherwise noted, the Land Development Division Permit (Field) Offices are open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our main Permit Office is located on the 3rd floor of the Headquarter Building (900 South Fremont Ave, Alhambra. 91803). The main Permit Office is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Links:

Permit Offices

What is a Utility Service Permit?

Answer:

A Utility Service Permit is an online authorization allowing a utility company to work on their existing facilities, within the road right of way. Excavations equal to or smaller than 5 feet wide and 20 feet long are considered service cuts. Utility companies must obtain an Annual Blanket Excavation Permit in order to utilize this service. If you are a franchised utility owner, please call us at (626) 458-3129 to inquire about obtaining an Annual Blanket Excavation Permit.

What is a Transportation (Moving) Permit?

Answer:

A document authorizing the movement of vehicles or vehicle combinations exceeding statutory limitations (as to size, weight, and loading of vehicles) as contained in Division 15 of the California Vehicle Code and Los Angeles County Code; Chapter 16.22 MOVING PERMITS. Permits are valid for travel upon County highways and incorporated cities for which the County has issuance authority. Please see Attachment 13 for listing of city authority.

What is an Excavation Permit?

Answer:

A Road Excavation Permit is required when excavating in any portion of the road right-of-way. The road right-of-way is usually the area between the sidewalks on each side of the street, including the sidewalks. The road right-of-way may extend several feet beyond the sidewalk in some cases too. Please apply for the Road Excavation Permit through our EPIC-LA website. A link is included below.

Links:

EPIC-LA

What are the permit fees based on?

Answer:

All permit fees are based on ordinances passed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. You may review the County Codes by visiting the web site at http://ordlink.com/codes/lacounty/.

When do I need a road permit from Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW)?

Answer:

You will need a permit from LACDPW for any work within the County’s right-of-way. Road Construction Permits are necessary for the construction of driveways, curb drains, sidewalks, curbs and gutters and other types of surface construction. Road Excavation Permits are required when digging within the road right-of-way, which often includes the portion of land beyond the curb and all the way to the sidewalk. Road Encroachment permits are necessary when you wish to place anything in the road right-of-way temporarily or long term. The purpose of the permit is to enable the County to monitor work and activities performed within the road right-of-way. Issuing permits assure that plans comply with the Public Works Standard Specifications and other provisions of the County Codes. Please apply for the permit through our EPIC-LA website. A link is provided below.

Links:

EPIC-LA

How do I get a permit to film or photograph in the road right-of-way or on county property?

Answer:

All film permits can be obtained through Film L.A.,Inc. which is located at 1201 W. 5th Street, Suite T-800, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Their telephone number is (213) 977-8600.

As a developer, how would I obtain the necessary permits for the construction of roads, sewers, storm drains, and utilities for a new development.

Answer:

Once the engineering plans for each item have been approved by our Land Development Division (i.e. sewer, storm drain, and street), you may obtain individual permits for the construction of each. Certificates of insurance indicating Liability and Workers Compensation coverage including an additional insured endorsement naming the County of Los Angeles as additional insured must be submitted with the permit applications. A CAL-OSHA annual excavation permit is required for utility installations.

What is an Encroachment Permit?

Answer:

A Road Encroachment Permit is necessary if you will be using any part of the road right-of-way (from property line to property line) for storing materials, detouring traffic or parking equipment in the street overnight. Encroachment permits are issued for temporary and long-term placements. Please apply for the Road Encroachment Permit through our EPIC-LA website. A link is included below.

Links:

EPIC-LA

How do I to file a claim with the County?

Answer:

Please call the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at (213) 974-1440 to obtain a claim form. Their office is located at Room 383, Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

What is a Construction Permit?

Answer:

A Road Construction Permit is necessary for activities such as cutting, removing, or reconstructing curb, gutter, parkway drains, driveways, and/or sidewalks. The purpose of the permit is to enable the County to monitor work and activities performed within the road right-of-way. Issuing permits assures that plans comply with the Public Works Standard Specification and other provisions of the County Codes. Please apply for the Road Construction Permit through our EPIC-LA website. A link is included below.

Links:

Los Angeles County Codes

EPIC-LA

How much will my permit cost? What are the fees?

Answer:

After you apply for a Road Permit, your assigned Permit Writer will assess the permit fees and create an invoice. You will be able to view the invoice through your EPIC-LA account. For your reference, below is a link to our Road Permit Fee Schedule.

Links:

Road Permit Fees

I'm a developer providing a joint utility trench for the utility companies. Do I need a permit?

Answer:

Yes, the developer is responsible for obtaining the Road Construction Permit and Road Excavation Permit for new developments. The Excavation Permit for the joint trench is initiated by the developer when they bring in five sets of plans for the electrical power lines from SCE. Each Utility company who will also occupy the trench must then submit five sets of plans along with a permit application. Each utility company will be charged the Issuance Fee for the issuance of the permit for their own line. The developer typically pays the issuance fee for SCE. Please apply for the Road Excavation Permit through our EPIC-LA website. A link is included below.

Links:

EPIC-LA

Can I get an Excavation Permit to connect my house water line to the main line?

Answer:

Yes. In fact, you are required to obtain a Road Excavation Permit from LACDPW if the excavation is within County right-of-way. We issue Road Excavation Permits for mainlines and laterals. A lateral is classified as a utility that is less than twenty feet in length. Please apply for the Road Excavation Permit through our EPIC-LA website. A link is included below.

Links:

EPIC-LA

How do I get an annual permit for transporting extra legal loads over County roads?

Answer:

Submit an online application and pay for the permit fees ($90). You may pay online with a credit card or pay with a check. Please deliver the check to Land Development Division's public counter located on the 3rd floor of the Headquarter Building (900 South Fremont Ave, Alhambra. 91803) If you have any questions, please call the general line (626) 458-3129.

Links:

Transportation Permits

What is the expected turnaround time for processing my permit?

Answer:

The processing time for each permit depends on the permit type, complexity of the project, the completeness of the application, submittal of all required documents and permit fees, and our staff’s workload at the time of permit application submittal. Most simple road permits can be processed within two weeks. Permits with mainlines can be processed in about three weeks if the plans are complete. Other permits for large projects that require plan checks would take longer than four weeks.

How do I obtain a permit for sewer main installation?

Answer:

Please submit your sewer plan for review through our EPIC-LA website. Once Land Development Division approves your sewer plan, please apply for a Road Excavation Permit through our EPIC-LA website. Attach all required documents, including but not limited to: Land Development Division approved sewer plan, Land Development Division approved cost estimate, contractor’s insurance, and contractor’s license number. A link is included below.

Links:

EPIC-LA

Do I need a permit to place a dumpster in front of my house?

Answer:

Yes, you do need to obtain a Road Encroachment Permit. This permit will allow the placement of the dumpster for up to seven consecutive days. You need to contact the permit field office that serves your unincorporated area. The offices are located in Baldwin Park (626) 338-9515, Valencia (661) 222-2948, Westchester (310) 649-6300, Hollydale (562) 861-3580, and Palmdale (661) 947-4151.

Also, the dumpster owner MUST have an annual Encroachment Permit for all containers that they plan to place within the County’s road right-of-way. Dumpster owners must obtain their Annual Encroachment Permit through their EPIC-LA website. A link is included below. Both permits are required by Chapter 16.19 of the Los Angeles County Highways Code. You may ask the owner of the dumpster to provide you a copy of the permit.

Regular trash containers do not require permits and may be placed in the street only for the weekly pickup. These containers must be removed from the street the same day.

Links:

EPIC-LA

I completed the work for my permit and would like to get my deposit refunded. When can I expect my refund?

Answer:

Your refund will be processed 90 days after permit is closed by the inspecting permit office. Please contact the permit office indicated on your permit to ensure the work has been satisfactorily inspected and the release of your deposit initiated.

What can I do after my permit expires? Can I get a permit extension?

Answer:

Your permit will expire if you do not start work within 60 days of permit issuance. You can contact the assigned Permit Office (found on the upper-right-hand corner of your permit) to ask for an extension before your permit expires. In some cases, you may be required to reapply for the permit.

How do I add a contractor or subcontractor to my existing permit?

Answer:

Please contact the assigned Permit Office (found on the upper-right-hand corner of your permit) to add your contractor or subcontractor to your existing permit. You will be required to submit contractor’s insurance (COI & Additional Insured Page) and contractor’s license number. Before permit issuance, please contact your assigned Permit Writer.

How do I amend my permit to include my revised site plan(s)?

Answer:

If you need to change any detail on your issued permit (ex. Revised scope of work), you will be required to obtain a permit amendment. Please inform your assigned Permit Writer about the necessary revision(s) and provide any required documents (ex. revised plans).

When do I need to submit Traffic Control Plan(s)? Whom should I submit it to?

Answer:

Traffic Control Plans (TCPs) are required for street closures, work within major highways, or busy intersections. Your assigned Permit Writer will inform you if you need to submit a TCP for your project. You should submit your TCP to your Permit Writer through EPIC-LA or email.

Who is my assigned Permit Writer and how do I get in contact with him/her?

Answer:

The name of your assigned Permit Writer can be found on our EPIC-LA website within two to four business days after you submit a Road Permit application. Your assigned Permit Writer will send you a notification email, which you can reply directly. You can also call our general line (626) 458-3129 to be transferred to your assigned Permit Writer.

Where can I find the status of my permit?

Answer:

The status of your permit can be found on our EPIC-LA website. If you need a more detailed status, please contact your assigned Permit Writer.

How can I print my issued permit?

Answer:

You can print your issued permits directly from your EPIC-LA account. Please log in, click on the permit number, and press on the “blue printer” button on the upper-right-hand corner of the page. If you encounter any technical difficulties, please use the HELP button to inform our ITD Technicians.