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District 7 Encroachment Permits

The use of California State highways for other than normal transportation purposes may require written authorization (Encroachment Permit) from the Department of Transportation.

The office processes permit applications and issues permits to applicants for highway improvements to construct approved facilities or to conduct specified activities. The Office’s primary objectives are to protect, maintain and enhance the quality of the State Highway System during and after permitted work, ensure the safety of both the highway users and the permit applicant, ensure that the proposed encroachment is compatible with primary uses of the State Highway System, protect the State’s investment in the highway facility, and document temporary uses of highway right of way for special events or filming.

As the responsible Department for protecting the public's investment in the State highway system, Caltrans reviews all requests from local agencies, utility companies, developers, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, etc., desiring to conduct various activities within the right of way.

District 7 Encroachment Permit Office contact information:

  • Mailing Address: 100 S Main Street, Ste 100 Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday (Closed for State and Federal Holidays)
  • Phone: 213-897-3631
  • Fax: 213-897-0420
  • E-mail: D7.Permits@dot.ca.gov

Response to COVID-19:

For the well-being of Caltrans’ staff and encroachment permit applicants, in-person interactions are currently being restricted.  Consultations should be conducted via telephone or on-line.

Electronic submittal of permit applications is strongly encouraged.  Please submit all applications and associated documents via e-mail to  D7.Permits@dot.ca.gov or via fax at (213) 897-0420.  Drop off submittals and standard mail delivery of application packages are acceptable.  However, over-the-counter exchanges will be restricted.

Applications and Forms:

Prior to submitting for an application for an encroachment permit, please download and complete the checklist below.  This checklist is used to determine the appropriate Caltrans review process for encroachment projects on the State Highway System.

  • Applicant's Checklist to Determine Applicable Review Process (TR-0416) (PDF)

Forms can be downloaded from the Caltrans Electronic Forms System (CEFS).

  • Encroachment Permit Application (TR-0100)
  • Permit Application Checklist (TR-0402)
    • Permit Application Checklist - Special Events (TR-0410)
    • Permit Application Checklist - Traffic Control (TR-0411) 
    • Permit Application Checklist - Landscaping (TR-0412)
    • Permit Application Checklist - Utilities (TR-0413)

 Other Permitting Types and Programs:

The following are permitting types that are handled by other offices:

The following are Administrative Encroachment Permits initiated by other offices:

Frequently Asked Questions

An "encroachment" is defined in Section 660 of the California Streets and Highways Code as “any tower, pole, pole line, pipe, pipeline, fence, billboard, stand or building, or any structure, object of any kind or character not particularly mentioned in the section, or special event, which is in, under, or over any portion of the State highway rights of way. “Special event” means any street festival, sidewalk sale, community-sponsored activity, or community-approved activity.”

An encroachment permit must be obtained for all proposed activities related to the placement of encroachments within, under, or over the State highway rights of way. Some examples of work requiring an encroachment permit are: utilities, excavations, encroachment renewals, advertisements (when allowed by statute), vegetation planting or trimming, surveys, mail boxes, driveways, installation or removal of tire chains for compensation, special events, and commercial filming activities.

Applicants must complete a Standard Encroachment Permit Application (TR-0100), attach supporting documentation such as: plans, location map, environmental documentation, letter of authorization, surety bonds, liability insurance, any applicable fees, etc. and submit them to the appropriate District Encroachment Permits Office having jurisdictional authority over the proposed encroachment site.

Fees vary depending on the type of encroachment. Typically a deposit is required when the application package is submitted. The current Standard Hourly Rate for calculating encroachment permit fees is $82.00 per hour. The total number of hours and fees required to review and approve your application will depend on the completeness of your submittal, scope, and complexity of the proposed work. Please contact the appropriate District Encroachment Permits Office for details.

Section 671.5 (a) of the California Streets and Highways Code requires that the Department either approves or denies an Encroachment Permit Application submittal within 60 calendar days, upon determination that the submittal is complete. This section grants the Department the authority in what constitutes a completed Encroachment Permit Application submittal. It also stipulates that an Encroachment Permit Application submittal is complete when all statutory requirements including but not limited to Storm Water, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) have been complied with. The term statutory requirement includes both federal and California statutes.

The actual time needed to review and approve your application will depend on the completeness of your submittal, scope, and complexity of the proposed work.

Encroachment Permits Resources

Other Contact Information: