CEPS 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, mailboxes, driveways, installation or removal of tire chains for compensation, special events, and commercial filming activities.

Effective January 1, 2025, utility companies and repeat permit applicants will be required to submit all permit applications through CEPS. Submissions made through alternative methods may not be accepted for processing or could be delayed. All other applicants are encouraged to use CEPS to submit your applications to minimize the permit processing time and to take advantage of CEPS’ functionality where you can track your permit status, make payments, and several other features online.

On the CEPS homepage, click on the Create a Profile link and complete the information. Here are a few key pointers to keep note of while creating a CEPS Profile and account:

• Create your own CEPS Profile using your First and Last Name (not a company name) and using your unique personal or work email address.
• Companies may have their own accounts but not required (companies will need a unique email address).
• When completing the application online, add the Company as the "Applicant," unless you are the property owner (then you are the "Applicant").

No additional fees are charged for using CEPS. Caltrans will continue to collect the fee to cover the cost of the encroachment permit. Caltrans must also collect fees to fully recover the costs associated with reviewing, issuing, and inspecting encroachment permit projects. Public corporations are exempt from paying permit fees.

Refer to the CEPS Profile (PDF) for guidance and help with creating a CEPS Profile and account. Additional instructional videos are also available on the Encroachment Permits homepage to help with submitting and managing your permit applications.

Fees vary depending on the type of encroachment and the number of staff hours needed to review and inspect it. Typically, a deposit is required when the application package is submitted. Contact the appropriate District Encroachment Permit Office for details. The current hourly rate is $173. Starting 01/01/2026, it will be increasing to $181. This hourly rate is adjusted each calendar year to ensure Caltrans complies with all applicable laws and regulations. 

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 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.

Effective January 1, 2022, Assembly Bill 955 amends Streets and Highways Code Section 671.5 by establishing additional procedures to the current process of reviewing encroachment permit applications for all broadband facilities by the California Department of Transportation. All broadband facility permit applications must comply with the additional procedures established by Assembly Bill 955.

Only certain fields are required to be completed. The time needed to process your application will depend on the completeness of your submittal, scope, and complexity of the proposed work. The more information is provided the easier it will be to review and take action on the permit application. To check the status of your application, sign into CEPS, click on My Dashboard to find key status indicators.

Yes. Once you sign into CEPS, you can click on My Dashboard to find key status indicators. Click on the application link for more details about a specific application.

Yes. You will receive email notification throughout the permit process. Follow the instructions in the email, revise the application as required, upload the required documents and submit payments for any required fees as needed to ensure timely processing. To check the status of your application, sign into CEPS, click on My Dashboard to find key status indicators. Click on the application link for more details about a specific application.

Follow the instructions in the email, revise the application as required, upload the required documents and submit payments for any required fees as needed to ensure timely processing. To check the status of your application, sign into CEPS, click on My Dashboard to find key status indicators. Click on the application link for more details about a specific application.

Yes. CEPS has the ability to accept different supporting documents.

Yes. Click on the Request Permit Time Extension link from the CEPS Dashboard. The request and approval must be submitted prior to the expiration date. Allow enough time for the approval process. 

Yes. Click on the Request a Permit Scope Change link from the CEPS Dashboard.

Yes. Sign into CEPS to Request a Start Date and notify the Inspector. Any traffic control requires prior approval before work can begin. Provide enough time for traffic control approval.

Upon completion, sign back into CEPS and Request a Final Inspection by entering a Call Date and to notify the Inspector.

Keep track of your work and schedule to ensure the work is done before the permit expires. You can also ask for an extension of the permit end date. If your permit expires, you must stop working and reapply for a new permit. Expired permits cannot be extended to a new date.

Prepare as-built plans to the required specifications and upload them to the Attachments tab in CEPS so they can be reviewed and approved by Caltrans.