Frequently Asked Questions from General Engineering
Sewer
Q. How do I connect my property to the Sewer System?
A. Connection to the public sewer system requires three steps:
1. An Engineering Technician will determine in which sewer district your property is located. The City of Encinitas is currently served by three sewer districts: the City of Encinitas Sanitary Division, the Leucadia County Water District and the Cardiff Sanitary Division.
2. You will be required to submit sewer construction plans for review and obtain a construction permit.
3. You will be required to obtain a wastewater discharge permit and pay all applicable fees (click to view Wastewater Discharge Fee Schedule in PDF format)
For more information please refer to the Municipal Code. Click here to view Chapter 18, Sanitary Sewer Section in PDF format.
Q. What do I do if I have a failing septic system?
A. If you have a failing system you will either need to repair/replace your septic system or obtain a letter from the County Health Department or a private septic system company documenting your failing septic system and begin proceedings for connection to the public sewer system.
Building on a Vacant Lot
Q. If I am building a house on a vacant lot, what will be required of me by the Engineering Department?
A. The Engineering Department has three requirements that must be met before building on a vacant lot:
1. Engineering staff review your site plan to check for appropriate grading and drainage (See Municipal Code 23.24).
2. The Engineering Department will require you to provide certain public improvements. For example, you may be required to dedicate a portion of your property for public right-of-way, underground utility wires, agree to participate in a future under grounding of utility wires, and/or construct frontage improvements (See Municipal Code 23.26).
3. The Engineering Department will assess and collect development impact fees (e.g., Traffic Mitigation Fees, Flood Control Fees, Sanitary Sewer Fees (See Municipal Code 23.94 and Municipal Code 23.96).
Insurance
Q. How do I show proof of insurance with the City?
A. See Requirements for Proof of Insurance. This document will explain the necessary steps and documents required.
Property Lines
Q. Where is my property line? I thought the edge of the pavement was my property.
A. The edge of the pavement is not necessarily your property line. You can determine the actual boundaries of your properties by consulting records of survey or the legal description on your grant deed. From these documents a licensed surveyor can show you the actual boundaries of your property.
Q. How do property lines affect my setbacks?
A. To determine the required setbacks for your property, contact the Planning and Building (Planning/Zoning) Department.
Dumpsters
Q. Can I put a dumpster out in the street?
A. Before you can place a dumpster in the street or public right-of-way, you must obtain a temporary encroachment permit from the Engineering Services Department. Not all requests are approved. Consideration of public safety takes precedence. Phone 760-633-2770.
Fences
Q. Where can I put up a fence and how tall can it be?
A. The fence must be installed entirely on your property. Consult with the Planning and Building (Planning/Zoning) Department for height restrictions. No fence can impede sight distance at an intersection. For more information click here to view the Municipal Code 14.54 Chapter in PDF format.
Public Right-of-Way (ROW)
Q. Do I need a permit to do work in the public right-of-way, even if it is in a non-City maintained street?
A. Yes. To do work in the public right-of-way, you will need to obtain a right-of-way construction permit. Phone: 760-633-2770.
Q. Can I put my basketball stand in the street or on the sidewalk?
A. Sorry! The City does not have any legal authority to allow a basketball stand in the street or sidewalk.
Q. Who can do work in the public right-of-way?
A. For standard construction, only a properly licensed and insured contractor may do work in the public right-of-way.
Driveways
Q. Do I need a permit to install a driveway?
A. Yes, however, the permits you need will vary depending on the size of the driveway you are constructing. You only need a permit under the following conditions:
1) You will need a Right of Way Construction Permit and/or Permanent Encroachment Permit for the portion of the driveway that is between the edge of your property and the street.
2) You may need a grading permit if your driveway is in excess of 5000 square feet
3) You will owe flood control fees for driveways in excess of 500 square feet.
Trees
Q. What are the requirements to remove/plant a tree in the public right-of-way?
A. Trees in the public right-of-way are considered public property. If you wish to remove a public tree you must first obtain a temporary encroachment permit and the City will require you to replace it with a tree selected by the City. If you wish to plant a tree in the public right-of-way you must first obtain a temporary encroachment permit and comply with the City’s planting standards for trees.
Drainage Problems
Q. My neighbor is draining water onto my property, what can be done?
A. Unless the drainage problem is the result of a grading violation, the issue is a civil matter between you and your neighbor. For more information click to view "When A Grading Permit is Not Required" in PDF format. If you believe that the drainage problem is the result of a grading violation, please contact the Engineering Services Department.
Grading
Q. How much dirt can I put/move on my property before I need a grading permit?
A. Click to view Grading Guidelines and Municipal Code 23.24 in PDF format.
Q. How do I get a soils report?
A. Soil reports that have been provided to the City pursuant to a grading plan are considered public information. All you need to do is submit a request, pay copying costs and allow the City sufficient time to retrieve the report. If a soil report was submitted as part of a building permit, you must obtain written permission from the soil engineer of record before the City can release it to you. If no soils report exists for your lot, you must hire a soils engineer to produce one. Soil engineering is a regulated profession subject to state licensing.
Q. When do I need a grading permit?
A. Click to view “When Do I Need a Grading Permit” and Municipal Code 23.24 in PDF format.
Q. What are the allowable times of grading operation?
A. Municipal Code Section 23.24.320 - Time of Grading Operations. Grading and equipment operations within one-half (1/2) mile of a structure for human occupancy shall not be conducted between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. nor on Saturdays, Sundays, and City recognized holidays. The City Engineer may, however, permit grading or equipment operations during specific hours after 5:30 p.m. or before 7:30 a.m. or on Saturdays, Sundays, and City recognized holidays if he determines that such operations are not detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the inhabitants of such a structure. For more information on grading guidelines click to view Municipal Code 23.24 in PDF format.
Retaining Walls
Q. Do I need a permit for a retaining wall? Up to what height in retention is one required?
A. There are three classes of retaining walls. For walls that are 4 feet from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall and don’t have a surcharge (backfill), no permit is required. The wall must be entirely on the property, including the footing and must not violate any section of the Municipal Code. A retaining wall will require a building permit and grading permit if it exceeds the threshold limits that trigger a grading permit. A retaining wall that triggers a grading permit will be part of grading plan. Click to view "When A Grading Permit Is Not Required" in PDF format.
Engineering Inspections
Q. Who is my inspector?
A. Your inspector is named on your copy of the engineering permit and in the case of a building permit that requires engineering inspection, the engineering inspector is named in the “miscellaneous notes” of the permit.
Engineering Approval of Building Permits
Q. I have a blue card, who is supposed to sign it?
A. Your blue card will identify which Departments (including phone numbers) you need to contact before you may request final inspection. Each identified Department must sign your blue card before you can receive final inspection. Please contact each Department to schedule an appointment for a signature.
Water and Dry Utilities
Q. How can I hook up to the water system?
A. Contact the appropriate water district. Generally speaking, the San Dieguito Water District serves the west portion of the City (call 760-633-2709) and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District (call 760-753-6466) serves the east portion of the City.
Q. Where is the closest water main to my property?
A. Contract the appropriate water district. Generally speaking, the San Dieguito Water District serves the west portion of the City (call 760-633-2709) and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District (call 760-753-6466) serves the east portion of the City.
Q. How do I get dry utilities (Phone, Electricity, Gas, Cable TV, etc.)?
A. Contact the individual utility companies or click here to visit our utilities page that includes links to each of these companies. A Right-of-Way Construction or Utility Construction Permit will be required. [top of page]
Q. Where are the closest dry utilities to my property (Phone, Electricity, Gas, Cable TV, etc.)?
A. Please contact the appropriate utility company. The City does not retain maps of these locations.
Easements
Q. Are there any easements affecting my property?
A. The best way to know is to purchase a title policy with a preliminary title report. You must contact a title insurance agency to obtain this information.