When Is a Permit Required?

Public Right-of-Way Permit for traffic control is required for all public improvement projects, construction projects and other work which encroaches into the public right of way, including the sidewalk area per San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC) §129.0702.

Permit Application

Complete a Traffic Control Plan/Permit Form DS-269, provide an approved Right-of-Way Permit (where applicable) and submit a traffic control plan. See Components of a typical Traffic Control Plan on the last page of this information bulletin.

Applications that do not follow the requirements of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) 2014, Revision 6 and this information bulletin will be canceled. Canceled applications must be resubmitted electronically with required corrections and/or missing documents.

Traffic Control Plans

Traffic control plans shall conform to the 2014 CAMUTCD; and Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction, including Regional Supplemental Amendments and City of San Diego Supplemental Amendments. Information needed prior to permit issuance is listed below:

1. Work start/end dates (A minimum of five working days’ notice is required before the beginning of work.)
2. Name of street where work is taking place
3. Cross streets
4. Work hours
   1. Standard workdays are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
   2. Night work is Sunday through Thursday, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.)
5. Contractor name, address, phone, and email
6. Posted speed limits
7. A plan view drawing of the project, which includes the following:
   1. <
   2. The street segment/intersection containing the location of the project work area
   3. Dimension to the nearest cross streets on either side of the work area if the project is located in a mid-block street segment (use break lines if necessary)
   4. A north arrow which is stenciled on the pole or meter head)
   5. Location of parking (Note: If metered parking provides the meter number which is stenciled on the pole or meter head)
   6. The location and dimensions for special curb zones, such as red, yellow, white, green and blue. Also, show and dimension any Bus Stop zones and driveway openings. Indicate what the Driveway is serving (single-family, apartment, commercial, etc.)
   7. Existing dimensions for the following:
      1. Street widths (curb to curb)
      2. Lane widths including vehicular lanes, bike lanes, bike buffers and parking lanes
      3. Sidewalk width
   8. For construction projects, provide the following:
      1. Type of work
      2. The size of the work area (width and length)
      3. Construction signs (type and spacing)
      4. Flashing arrow boards (as required)
      5. Delineator patterns for transition area, buffer space, work area and termination area
      6. Advance warning sign spacing and length of the transition area
      7. Detour plan (if required)
   9. Handling of pedestrians (including disabled) and bicycle routes/paths
   10. Additional items may be required depending on the scope of the project. For more information, call Traffic Control at 619-446-5150.

Submittal Instructions

All forms, documents and applications are now submitted electronically. Visit the Development Services Department Traffic Control Permit web page to create an account and begin the submittal process. A detailed User Guide is available under “Apply for a Permit” STEP 1.

Permit Fees

The Public Right-of-Way Permit for Traffic Control fee is charged to recover City costs for office and field review of construction traffic control plans. The fees for each project are charged based on the following guidelines:

Traffic Control Plan Check

* A "block" is the space between street intersections. Blocks over 600 feet count as more than one block.

Parking Meters

Fees are required for parking meters that cannot be used due to the location of the project.

Typical Traffic Control Plan

References

• San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC)
• California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD)
• Traffic Control Plan Permit (DS-269)

Previous Versions of this Information Bulletin

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

• 2024-05-17 |IB-545