Public Works Permits for Contractors
Types of Permits
City of Santa Cruz Department of Public Works issues four kinds of permits to qualified applicants:
The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department issues permits according to the following procedure to ensure an efficient, diligent, and safe process for all parties involved. Permits must be issued in advance of any work taking place or any infringement of the public right-of-way. Please review the following information and have all the necessary documents prepared before calling or coming into the Public Works office to apply for a permits.
Procurement Process
The Contractor must apply for the permit in person at the Public Works office. All required insurance coverage (as shown on COI) must be submitted with the complete information before any permits will be issued or any work in the public right-of-way begins.
Permits can be obtained in person or over the phone at the Department of Public Works main office:
City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department
809 Center St, Room 201
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: 831-420-5160
Fax: 831-420-5161
citypw@cityofsantacruz.com
Hours
Monday - Friday
7:00AM - 12:00PM
1:00PM - 3:30PM
Our office accepts:
Call our main office to be connected with a member of our counter staff for remote assistance.
Inspections
On-site inspections by the City Inspector are required for any work under a Street Opening Permit, Concrete Permit, or Temporary Encroachment Permit. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to contact the City Inspector (Curtis Busenhart, 831-420-5175) 24 hours in advance to schedule an inspection. The inspection is covered under the cost of the permit. For sewer lateral inspections, call Dale Cabreros at 831-420-5194.
Special Permits
There are a few types of permits that require a more in-depth application process. If you need one of these types of permits, contact us at Public Works and we can assist you in applying for these permits
Permanent Encroachment
Permanent Encroachment Permit: Required for projects which will result in a permanent occupation or alteration of the public right-of-way E.g. Outdoor café seating on a public sidewalk, bike ridesharing kiosks, and awnings that extend into the public right of way. Permanent Encroachment Permits require approval by City Council and typically take 1-3 months to process. Please contact a front counter staff member for more information.
Caltrans Permits
Work that will be performed in the public right of way including streets and sidewalks along Highway 1 or Highway 9 in Santa Cruz City limits requires a separate permit from Caltrans. Such permits can be obtained by contacting the Caltrans District office. Once Caltrans has issued a permit, contact us for the corresponding permit from Public Works before starting work.
Caltrans District 5 Office
50 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 549-3152
(805) 549-3062 FAX
Telecom Subcontractors
If you are a subcontractor of PG&E, AT&T, Comcast, Cruzio or other telecommunications provider, please contact for assistance with permitting and payment:
Curtis Busenhart
(831) 420-5175
cbusenhart@cityofsantacruz.com
Street Opening Permits or Sewer Repair Permits
Required if the street will be cut open for utility work as part of your project. Street or sidewalk shall be restored to City Standard Details once work has been completed.
Requirements
- Active Class A General Engineering or C36 Plumbing Contractor License
- City business license (if applicable, see requirements on next page)
- Proof of Insurance (Commercial General Liability, Automobile Liability, Worker’s Compensation, with Waiver of Subrogation)
- Detailed drawing of the work area
- Traffic Control Plan
- On-site inspection with City Inspector (24-hour notice)
View the sewer lateral permits and forms page for more information on sewer lateral repair permits.
Concrete Permits
Required if sidewalks, curb, gutter, or driveway are being demolished, constructed, or repaired in the public right-of-way. Sidewalks, curb, and gutter to be restored to City Standard Details once work has been completed.
Requirements
- Class A General Engineering or C8 Concrete License
- City business license (if applicable)
- Proof of Insurance (Commercial General Liability, Automobile Liability, Worker’s Compensation, with Waiver of Subrogation)
- Detailed drawing of the work area
- Traffic Control Plan
- On-site inspection with City Inspector (24-hour notice)
Temporary Encroachment Permits
Required for projects when a portion of the public right-of-way is temporarily blocked or closed off for construction and staging purposes (such as construction fencing, scaffolding, signs, equipment, materials, etc.).
Requirements
- Proof of Insurance (Commercial General Liability – This can typically be added onto a Home Owner’s Insurance policy if the temporary encroachment permit is for a private residence. Contact your insurance provider.)
- Detailed drawing of the work area
- Traffic Control Plan
- On-site inspection with City Inspector (24-hour notice)
Temporary encroachment permits are also issued for placement of refuse and storage containers in the public right of way. Please see the City’s Storage and Refuse Container Policy(PDF, 214KB) for more information.
Temporary No Parking Permits
Public Works also issues temporary no parking permits and signs.
One may request no parking permits for special events, construction, utility work, block parties or any other reason one may need to reserve parking. No insurance, licenses or inspections are required to obtain a temporary no parking permit.
Temporary No Parking signs must be placed 72 hours prior to the start of parking restrictions to be enforceable.
If the temporary no parking permit applies to metered spaces, the applicant is also responsible for the regular revenue normally collected for the metered spaces.
Temporary No Parking Fees
| Type of Permit |
Permit Fee |
| Temporary No Parking Permit - metered spaces |
$319 + meter revenue |
| Temporary No Parking Permit - non-metered spaces |
$319 |
| Temporary No Parking Signs |
$10/sign |
Insurance Requirements
What is required on the Certificate of Insurance (COI)
| Types of Liability |
Street Opening Permit Or Sewer Repair Permit |
Concrete Permit |
Temporary Encroachment Permit |
| General Liability |
$1,000,000 (General Aggregate: $2,000,000) |
$1,000,000 (General Aggregate: $2,000,000) |
$1,000,000
|
| Automobile Liability |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
Not Required |
| Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
Not Required |
Notes:
- General Liability policy must include an endorsement naming the City of Santa Cruz, its officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers as additional insured. Endorsement will be separate (on a separate form) from the Certificate of Insurance – listing on the certificate alone is not sufficient.
- Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability policy needs to have a waiver of subrogation endorsement (at least for employees while engaged in work under the city contract). Endorsement will be separate (on a separate form) from the Certificate of Insurance – listing on the certificate alone is not sufficient. Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability is not required for a sole proprietor Contractor with no employees. Sole proprietor must fill out Workers’ Compensation Coverage Exemption Declaration & Indemnity Agreement form.
Please use the following language in the appropriate boxes on the Certificate of Insurance:
Traffic Control Plans
Permits for construction in the public right of way require a City-approved traffic control plan showing the intended placement of all necessary signage and traffic control devices used to direct traffic around the site.
Please Refer to the Traffic Control Reference Map linked below. Work within the public Right of Way on any street shown in green requires a detailed traffic control plan (TCP), approved by the City Engineer. Depending on the size and duration of your project, the TCP may need to be designed and stamped by a Professional Engineer.
All submitted traffic control plans will be reviewed using the checklist linked below. Incomplete TCPs will be rejected and will require resubmittal. Review may take up to 5 business days, depending on the size and complexity of the TCP.
If you have questions regarding the submittal process and requirements, please call the Public Works Department Front Counter at 831-420-5160.
City of Santa Cruz Business Tax Certificates
Contractor will maintain a current City of Santa Cruz business tax certificate if:
- Contractor is located in the City of Santa Cruz; or
- Contractor performs physical work in the City of Santa Cruz for 6 or more days annually; or
- Contractor uses company vehicles to deliver within the City of Santa Cruz for 6 or more days annually.
If you need to obtain a City of Santa Cruz business licensees please contact the City of Santa Cruz Finance Department at:
City of Santa Cruz
Finance Department
831-420-5070
revenue@cityofsantacruz.com
City of Santa Cruz - Technology Surcharge Fee
Effective August 12, 2023, the Technology Surcharge of 6% will apply to the following Public Works permits and fees, as approved by City Council Resolution NS-30,161:
- Concrete Permit and Inspection
- Tree Damage Inspection
- Street Opening Permit and Inspection
- Encroachment Permit for Regular and Temporary
- Sewer Repair Permit
- Temporary "No Parking" Permit
- Subdivision Fees
For more information, please visit Technology Surcharge website.