This Information Bulletin provides information to apply online for a Minor Right-of-Way (ROW) Permit. Minor Right-of-Way projects are prepared on construction plans and are classified into two categories: 1) Rapid Review Projects or 2) Submitted Projects.

Below are projects that qualify for Rapid Review. A maximum of three items listed in the Rapid Review category can be combined into one set of plans. Plans showing four or more improvements listed in the Rapid Review category must be submitted and do not qualify for Rapid Review. 

Public improvement projects associated with a building permit and/or a discretionary permit do not qualify for Rapid Review and must be submitted. Submitted plans are uploaded online by selecting the record type “Grading, ROW, Mapping - Standalone.”

Construction Plan Requirements

Plans must be prepared using the City of San Diego - Right of Way Permit-Construction Plan (DS-3179). Available submittal requirements must include the following:

1. Fully dimensioned set of plans, including font and scale requirements.
2. Address and legal description of the property (i.e., lot number, block number subdivision name, map number, and assessor’s parcel map).
3. Property Owner’s name.
4. North Arrow.
5. Curb and gutter location.
6. Curb-to-property line distance.
7. Existing and proposed sidewalk (if any) dimensioned.
8. Front and side property lines, dimensioned.
9. Location and width of the existing proposed driveway(s)
10. Existing utilities (Pipes, Hand holes, vaults, valves,..etc.), including but not limited to, water, sewer, and storm drain pipes.
11. Existing landscape/non-standard improvements in the parkway (if any). Provide a copy of the previously recorded Encroachment Maintenance and Removal Agreements (EMRA) for previously approved encroachments or for Non-standard Improvements
12. For new or expanded-width residential driveways, provide the following:
    1. Existing and proposed structures on-site.
    2. Length and width of off-street parking area.
    3. Distance from side property lines to proposed.
    4. Driveways Alley width (if any) 

See Figure 1 below. 

Installation Standards

All standard public right-of-way improvements must be installed under the approved plans and consistent with the latest edition of the San Diego Regional Standard Drawings and Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction. Please refer to the San Diego Regional Standard Drawings.

Approvals

1. All improvements in the Right-of-Way require review and approval. A Traffic Control Permit (TCP) may also be required in addition to the Right-of-Way Permit for traffic control. A separate fee is assessed for a TCP. For more information, see Information Bulletin 177, “How to Obtain a Public Right-of-Way Permit for Traffic Control.” 

Permit Fees

Permit and inspection fees are paid when the permit is issued. See Information Bulletin 502, “Fee Schedule, Construction Permits - Grading and Public Right of Way." 

Figure 1: Typical Construction Plan for a Standard Public Right of Way Permit

References

• City of San Diego Construction Plan (Form DS-3179)

• Construction Permits – Grading and Public Right-of-Way (Land Development Manual)

• Excavation Moratorium Waiver (DS-350)

• Fee Schedule, Construction Permits – Grading and Right of Way (IB-502)

• Forms & Publications

• How to Apply for a Right of Way
• How to Obtain a Permit for a Sidewalk Café (IB-523)
• How to Obtain a Permit for Encroachments in the Right of Way (IB-576)

• How to Obtain a Permit for Traffic Control (IB-177)

• How to Obtain a Permit for Water, Sewer or Fire Service (IB-166)

• San Diego Municipal Code §129.0702

• San Diego Municipal Code §142.0560(j)

• San Diego Regional Standard Drawings 

• Spaces as Places (IB-304)

• Wireless Communication Facilities  (IB-532)

Previous Versions of this Information Bulletin

This section contains previous versions of this Information Bulletin by the last day they were effective. 

• 2024-06-30 |IB-165