Land Development & Permits

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Contact Us:
949-361-6141
pwpermits@san-clemente.org
910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673

The Land Development and Permits Section processes development projects from inception to completion, including coordination with the Planning and Building Divisions. Staff also processes plan checks of final maps, improvement and grading plans for new development, issues permits for encroachments, grading, construction inspection and well permits for residential and commercial developments. Development staff is also available at the counter to provide the public with assistance and respond to their inquiries.

Development Documents

All forms and documents associated with development can be found by clicking the links below.

Plan Check & Permit Fees

Submittal Checklists & Guidelines:

Engineering Standards:

Engineering Permit Surety Requirements:

General Notes for Plans:

Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP)

Slope Repairs:

If you are looking for public records and City files such as copies of permits, plans, etc., you can request them at the following link: Public Records Request

Inspections

Functions of Engineering Public Works Inspectors

Engineering Public Works Inspectors monitor the work for private development projects, encroachments into the public right-of-way, and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). When Grading, Encroachment, Construction, and Landscape & Irrigation Permits are issued, they are assigned to the City’s Engineering Public Work Inspector team for oversight. The Engineering Public Works Inspectors' area of responsibility includes inspection of work involving grading, site drainage, storm drains, retaining walls, public sanitary sewer & water facilities, dry utilities, curb & gutter, sidewalk, paving, bridge construction, traffic signals, street lighting, traffic sign & striping, temporary traffic control, public buildings, and construction materials.

Engineering Public Works Inspectors also oversee the activities of the owner/builder and/or general contractor, along with the geotechnical engineers & geologists, design civil engineers, survey parties, archaeologists, paleontologists and all other professionals associated with the permitted project. The inspectors work closely with the City's Planning, Building, and Utility Divisions, and other outside agencies, such as, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Department of Fish and Game, Coastal Commission, Orange County Fire Authority, and Cal/OSHA during the course of both permitted and CIP work activities.

Engineering Inspection Requests

Inspection Requests are made in either of the following ways:

1) “ONLINE” INSPECTION REQUESTS:

The preferred method of requesting Engineering Inspections is “Online” over this web site. The benefits to scheduling your inspections online are:

Inspection requests are accepted until MIDNIGHT the day before the inspection
You receive a confirmation email
You can view other online services, such as inspection results and permit status

Please go to this link ONLINE INSPECTION REQUEST now to set up your engineering inspections, and follow the user-friendly directions.

2) AUTOMATED “PHONE-LINE” INSPECTION REQUESTS:

Call (949) 361-3366, ext. 9002. Have your permit number and the inspection code available. Inspection codes can be found on the job card issued with the permit, or the yellow flyer available at the public counter. Follow the prompts on the phone line. With the Automated Permit System, you can:

Schedule Inspections
Reschedule Inspections
Cancel Inspections
View Plan Check Status
View Inspection Results

PRECONSTRUCTION MEETINGS:

No work required of any Engineering permit can start without first setting up and completing a Preconstruction Meeting. To set up this meeting, use either of the two inspection request methods above, and then make this request directly with the inspector at (949) 279-9743 (Dan Lowrie) to insure the meeting can be set. Preconstruction meetings will be calendared when all required parties attending the meeting can be coordinated to attend.

Subdivisions, Maps & Lot Mergers

The Engineering Division of the Public Works Department of City of San Clemente has the duty and authority to process subdivisions and other mapping related activities within the City. As required by the Subdivision Map Act, the City of San Clemente has adopted a Subdivision Ordinance which helps regulate and govern the subdivision and modifications to parcels within the City.

Where an applicant proposes the subdivision of a single, legal parcel of land into four (4) or fewer new parcels or units, the project shall require submittal of a Tentative Parcel Map. Subdivisions of a single, legal parcel into five (5) or more parcels or units shall require submittal of a Tentative Tract Map.

All Subdivision and Mapping applications, including those listed below, are submitted to the Planning Division in Community Development Department. Once approved by the Planning Division and its authorized approval body, applicants are directed to the Engineering Division for final plan check processing, approvals, and recordation of documents.

Abandonments
Certificates of Compliance
Easement Deeds
Final Maps (Parcel & Tract)
Lot Line Adjustments
Lot Mergers
Reversions to Acreage

The City of San Clemente has adopted an Ordinance which approves the County of Orange for plan check of Final Maps on behalf of the City. Through this Ordinance, Final Maps are plan checked by both the City of San Clemente and the County. The County provides plan check for all survey related aspects of the Final Maps. Plan Check applications for the County are submitted separately to the County and can be found here.

Planning Department information on applications and processing of the above listed actions can be found here.

Applications for Final Maps/Tract Maps, Parcel Maps & Lot Line Adjustments can be found here.

A copy of a Lot Merger Application can be found here.

With the exception of Lot Mergers, the plan check application fees for Subdivision & Mapping services is done on a time and material basis through an established deposit account which is required prior to commencing plan check. The City’s Fee Schedule can be found here.

The City of San Clemente Subdivision Ordinance can be found in Chapter 16 of the Municipal Code here.

Guidelines for Slope Properties

Permits

Select the type of permit related to your project below for an application and related forms and information. If you are not sure which type of permit you need, contact the Engineering Division at 949-361-6113, pwpermits@san-clemente.org.

Grading & Construction Inspection Permit

The following information is for homeowners, design professionals, and contractors to help with the preparation and processing of grading within the City of San Clemente. The information and references provided serve as guide for the overall requirements associated with Grading requirements. It is the responsibility of the prospective owner/permittee to conduct the research necessary and to consult directly with City staff in the Engineering Land Development Division for a specific project. Each project site has unique characteristics that may require certain approval(s) to be obtained prior to moving forward with a construction permit.

Purpose:

A Grading Permit is required for any grading work specified in the City of San Clemente’s Grading Manual and Chapter 15.36 of the City’s Municipal Code.

City of San Clemente Grading Manual

Municipal Code Chapter 15.36

In general, a Grading Permit is required for the following activities:

All new construction of vacant land.
Reconstruction of existing developments (i.e., after demolition of building and foundations).
When fill of soil material is being proposed to be place that is 50 cubic yards or more.
When soil removal and recompaction (overexcavation) for proposed structures is 50 cubic yards or more.
When 3 feet or more of fill is proposed to be placed on a natural slope steeper than 5:1.
Grading activity that impacts sensitive resources and environmentally sensitive land.
When grading is within privately owned open space easements or City-owned open space.

Considerations:

Most grading operations have planning and zoning implications and, accordingly, you must obtain approval from the Planning Department for your proposed land use before you can commence grading. To learn more about the planning stage please contact Engineering and Planning staff early in the scoping phase in order to ensure compliance with City regulations.

Discretionary Permit Approvals: Prior to proceeding with applying for a Grading Permit, it is important to determine if any Discretionary Approval(s) will be required. Learn more about Discretionary Approval(s)

Compliance with Construction Site Runoff Regulations

All development and redevelopment projects, whether large or small, are obligated to comply with Federal, State, and Local storm water regulations during the planning, construction, and post-construction phases of development. Without proper safeguards, grading can cause water pollution. When grading is being performed, the owner/permittee is responsible for preventing polluted discharges from leaving the project site and entering the City’s storm drain system. Polluted discharges can contain sediment, chemicals and trash. When a grading permit is issued, the City and/or the State's Regional Water Quality Control Board may impose conditions.

The City of San Clemente maintains the policies and guidelines in support of the State Water Resources Control Board and the Construction General Permit. Click here for more information about the Construction General Permit: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/construction.html

For information specific to the City of San Clemente visit https://www.san-clemente.org/department-services/environmental-services/environmental-home/construction

If the project does not require a State or City permit, owners and developers must still implement best management practices (BMPs) to prevent sediment and other pollutants from leaving the site and entering the City’s storm drain system.

Please refer to the Orange County Construction Runoff Guidance Manual to enable applicants for building or grading permits to understand and comply with regulatory requirements for creek, river, stream and coastal water protection during the construction phase of new development and redevelopment projects.

Submittal Requirements:

Grading Plan Preparation Guideline
Rough Grading Plan Preparation Guideline
Plan Check Submittal Form
Submittal Requirement Checklist - Single Family
Submittal Requirement Checklist - Multi-Family

General Notes:
General Notes for Grading Plans
General Notes for Erosion Control
General Notes for Storm Drain
General Notes for Street
General Notes for Water Systems
General Notes for Sewer Systems
General Notes for Traffic Control

Fee Schedule
Sample Certificate of Liability Insurance
Asphalt Moratorium

Encroachment Permit

All work performed in the public right-of-way (ROW), easements, alleys, and City properties need an approved permit from the Engineering Land Development Section. The ROW is usually the area beyond your private property line. It includes the alleys, streets, curbs, median areas, public sidewalks, public easements and parkways (the open space/landscape or grass area between the curb and sidewalk or sidewalk and private property).

Always verify the location of property lines prior to constructing improvements that are near adjoining property lines, City streets or City easements. Never assume your property ends at the curb or sidewalk in front of your home. Please contact us or visit the Engineering Counter at City Hall to verify whether a project encroaches into the public right-of-way. Check to make sure there are no easements on your property. You may not construct or plant anything on City right-of-way, easement, or property without written permission and permit.

Encroachment Permit Application

Engineering Fee Schedule

PART A: CRITERIA FOR FILING
An application for a Right-Of-Way (ROW) permit may be filed for any work performed in the City right-of-way, Public easement or City property. Following is the sample of activities that require an Encroachment Permit:

Widening/ Replacing driveways
Curb Core
Sewer lateral/ water lateral
Trenching
Boring
Installation of wells (geotechnical investigation borings, groundwater wells, etc.)
Well monitoring
Utilities in general
Landscaping and tree removal
Large trash bins, storage units, etc.

PART B: PROCEDURE

The applicant (licensed contractor) shall prepare the applicable forms and exhibits for submittal and attach all required items. Please note that an incomplete application will not be accepted or processed. The contractor is the Permittee and is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of all information submitted and all work done that affects the right-of-way.

Once a completed application has been filed, appropriate plan check fees (if applicable) have been paid, and the permit is approved by Engineering staff for completeness and technical accuracy, then the permit can be issued. If corrections are required, then all comments/corrections will be forwarded to the applicant. Once the Encroachment Permit and Traffic Control Plan are approved the contractor/applicant will be notified to supply the appropriate insurance documentation, sign the permit, and pay the permit fees.

Contractor/applicant shall call the inspection recorder line at (949) 361-6131 to arrange a pre-construction meeting prior to commencing any work. A minimum of two (2) working days' notice is required for a pre-construction meeting request. All on-going inspection request shall be submitted by 7:00 am the day of the proposed inspection.

PART C: SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

All application forms and samples are available at the Engineering Division front counter or on this website.

Completed application form
Contractor’s State License Number and Class (type)
City of San Clemente Business License Number
Certificate of Insurance (per city specification)
Traffic Control Plan (only required for projects which do not meet WATCH Manual designs)
Site Plan/Construction drawings
Signed and notarized Encroachment Removal Agreement (when applicable)

PART D: CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE NUMBER SPECIFICATION

Contractor must provide a valid City Business License. If the contractor does not have an active City Business License please make an application with the Licensing Department and include a copy of the receipt with the Right-of-Way Permit application.

The contractor must have the following licenses to perform work in the ROW.

General Engineering Contractor “A” License – may do any type of engineering work in the City right-of-way
Concrete “C-8” License – may do any concrete work in City right-of-way.
Earthwork and Paving “C-12” License – may do earthwork or paving work in City right-of-way.
Parking and Highway Improvement “C-32” License – may do any type of traffic control and striping work in the City right-of-way.
Pipeline “C-34” License – may do any pipeline type of work in City right-of-way.

Note: It is not the intent of this document to limit a licensed contractor’s right to do work within the specially permitted by California Contractor’s License Board.

PART E: CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE

All required insurance must name the City of San Clemente as Additionally Insured and be underwritten by an insurance company listed in the latest edition of (domestic, not international) Best Rating Guide with a rating of “A”/“A-” or better and a financial size of $10 million (currently Class V) or better. An example of a Certificate of Insurance can be found here.

PART F: CONDITIONS FOR PERFORMING WORK IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY

The City establishes certain rules and conditions when work is proposed within the ROW or City easement. These rules and conditions can be found here.

PART G: APPLICABLE STANDARD DRAWINGS

The City has a set of standard plans which must be followed when doing certain work within the ROW or City Easement. Applicable standards can be found at these links below:

PART H: WELL/GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION PERMITS

When you are proposing to construct a geotechnical boring, investigative groundwater well, etc. within the ROW or City easement, please see the requirements for a Well/Geotechnical Permit under "Well Boring Permit" below.

PART I: ADMINISTRATIVE ENCROACHMENT PERMITS

When proposing permanent improvements such as fences, walls, mail boxes, trees, etc. within the ROW, please see the requirements for an Administrative Encroachment Permit below.

Asphalt Moratorium

Administrative Encroachment Permit

An Administrative Encroachment Permit (AEP) is a type of permit which allows a property owner to construct certain private improvements within the public right-of-way (ROW), City easements, alleys, and City properties.

How does the Administrative Encroachment Permit (AEP) differ from an Encroachment Permit?

The Encroachment Permit is a City issued permit which regulates the inspection of work and staging within the ROW, City easements, alleys, and City properties.

The AEP is a City issued permit which regulates the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of improvements within the public ROW, City easements, alleys, and City properties.

Encroachment permits are issued for many types of improvements which are not required to obtain an AEP. Such improvements include:

Sewer laterals
Public utility connections
Street curb and gutter
Public sidewalk

For Encroachment Permit information, please see additional information here.

Are there different types of Administrative Encroachment Permits (AEPs)?

Yes. There are two types of AEPs.

For minor encroachments such as flat work, mail boxes, fences, and landscaping, etc., the City requires a Minor Encroachment Permit to be approved before such improvements can be constructed within the ROW, City easements, alleys, and City properties.

Minor Encroachment Permit

For more significant improvements such as retaining walls, pilasters, or other improvements which require a structural footing, the City requires an Administrative Encroachment Permit to be approved and recorded on the title of the property requesting the private improvements.

Administrative Encroachment Permit

Is there a fee for an Administrative Encroachment Permit?

An AEP does require a fee. Click Here for Engineering Fees

A Minor Encroachment Permit does not require a fee.

What else should I know about Encroaching into the Street ROW?

The ROW is usually the area beyond your private property line. It includes the alleys, streets, curbs, median areas, public sidewalks, public easements and parkways (the open space/landscape or grass area between the curb and sidewalk or sidewalk and private property). Never assume your property ends at the curb or sidewalk in front of your home. Please visit the Engineering Counter at City Hall to verify whether a project encroaches into the public right-of-way. Check to make sure there are no easements on your property. You may not construct or plant anything on City right-of-way, easement, or property without written permission and permit.

In the case of a project that is either wholly or partially within public easements, rights-of-way, etc., the same discretionary review required for an identical project on the adjacent private property shall apply. If discretionary review is required, the administrative encroachment permit will be processed concurrently with the discretionary review pursuant to City Municipal Code Section 17.12.090, Consideration of Concurrent Applications of this code.

Sample Certificate of Liability Insurance

For a Sample Certificate of Liability Insurance, please click here.

Asphalt Moratorium

Transportation/Wide Load Permit

Transportation permits are required if vehicle and/or vehicle load exceeds any of the following dimensions:

8’-6” in width
14’ in height
40’ in length (single unit)
65’ in length (combo unit overall length)

Permit Application and Issuance

Transportation Permits are issued on a single trip or annual basis. Transportation Permits are only issued upon receiving payment of the permit fee, and after the moving routes and vehicle load have been approved by the City. The following items are required prior to permit issuance:

Completed and Signed Transportation Permit Application
Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the City of San Clemente as the additionally insured
Proof of permit fee payment, e.g. a copy of mailed check payable to the City of San Clemente or payment receipt obtained in person at City Hall.
Daily Single-Trip Permit fee is $16.00 and Annual Permit fee is $105
Copy of other necessary permits (Caltrans, County)

Permit Processing

City processing time for Transportation Permit is 24 to 48 hours. Permits can be submitted to the City by the following ways:

Email the completed Transportation Permit Application to:
- mrotekj@san-clemente.org or trafficengineering@san-clemente.org

Mail or submit in person to:
- City of San Clemente, Engineering Division
  910 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673

Resources

Contact

Jane Mrotek
Phone: (949) 361-6136
Email: mrotekj@san-clemente.org

Well Boring Permit

Well Boring Permit Application File

WELL PERMITS

The Well Permit is intended to protect our groundwater reserves from any contamination. It is required for all vertical drilling, deep or shallow.

In addition to water well drilling, well permits are required for soil/geotechnical sampling, soil contamination monitoring, and other non-water related drilling. An approved Well Permit is required before any Encroachment Permit, or other permit, can be issued for vertical drilling works.

Application

Well Permit Application

Where to mail the application:
Engineering Department- Development Section
910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100
San Clemente, CA 92673

Applications can also be emailed to Development Staff:

Ron Nicholas nicholasr@san-clemente.org

Alex Vlosky vloskya@san-clemente.org

The permit is not valid until the application is reviewed and approved by City staff and signed by the City Engineer. All accompanying documentation and payment with a check, made payable to the City of San Clemente, must be included with each application. Allow 5-10 business days for processing. Any questions you may have regarding the Well Permit should be directed to Ron Nicholas (949) 361-6141.

A well permit is valid for no more than 6 months after issuance.

Application Instructions

All fields in the application must be completed as follows:

Permit Application-

Applicant’s Name, Company, Address, Phone and Email Address: The person completing the application is to fill out this information as the applicant.
Driller’s Company, Address, C-57 License, and C-57 Expiration: A drilling contractor should be identified. The driller will need to have a current C-57 (water well drilling) contractor license and valid San Clemente Business License.
Well Location: Provide the well or boring address or provide a detailed description. Include a scaled map with the permit application submittal. Drilling on City property (including streets) will require a separate Right-of-Way Encroachment Permit issued by the Public Works Department.
Well / Boring Owner’s Name, Company, Address, Phone and Email Address: Provide contact information for who will be responsible for the well or boring after drilling is completed.
Scope of Work: Provide a brief description of the methods that will be used for drilling or well destruction. Provide additional sheets if necessary.
Well or Boring Name: Provide a unique identified for each well or boring.
Type: Specify the well or boring type such as:
Boring Diameter: Provide the boring diameter in inches.
Casing Diameter: For wells, indicate the diameter of the well casing in inches.
Depth: Provide the total depth of the boring or well casing in feet below ground surface.
Screen Intervals: For wells, indicate the top and bottom of the perforated zones in feet below ground surface.
Applicant’s Signature/Date: Applicant must be authorized to sign on behalf of property owner or well owner and agrees to comply with applicable well construction/destruction standards.
Anticipated Drilling Start Date: Provide the estimated date work will begin. Please allow 5-10 days for permit processing.
Required Attachments: Please include well construction diagrams for new wells. Please include any boring logs or well completion reports for destruction permits.

Well / Boring Fees

See Engineering Fee Schedule here: Engineering Fees
Payment Type: Provide the number and date of the check accompanying the permit application. Please make payment to “City of San Clemente”.

Standard Conditions

For the Standard Conditions for Well Boring Permits, please click here.

Agreement

By the execution of a well permit, the well permit applicant acknowledges and agrees to all of the following:

As the permit activities (i.e., activities related to well drilling, installation, or destruction) are strictly a private undertaking, the well permit applicant bears full responsibility for its completion or any liability arising thereunder. The permit activities (i.e., activities related to well drilling, installation, or destruction) shall be accomplished without cost or expense to city.
In the performance of any well drilling, installation, or destruction, the well permit applicant shall at its own cost and expense comply with all statutes, ordinances, regulations, and requirements of all governmental entities, including federal, state, county. or municipal, whether now in force or hereinafter enacted. In addition, all of applicant's work (or that of applicant's consultant's) shall conform to applicable local, county, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, and permit requirements.
The permit activities (i.e., activities related to well drilling, installation, or destruction) are strictly a private undertaking and the permit activities do not in any manner imply anyone acting for or on behalf of the applicant is acting in the course and/or scope of official city business or on behalf of the city; nor does it in any manner establish or imply an employer-employee, or an agency relationship between the applicant (or any of its representatives) or any third party and the city.
The well permit applicant (a) is the owner of the property where the well is to be installed, or; (b) is legally authorized to install the well. The property, or the owner’s representative, must sign the well permit form.
Well permit applicants acknowledges responsibility for the ultimate destruction of their well, per California Well Standards.

Sample Certificate of Liability Insurance

For a Sample Certificate of Liability Insurance, please click here.

Asphalt Moratorium

To learn more about the City's Asphalt Cut Moratorium, please click here.