The purpose of this page is to describe the procedures and requirements associated with the placement, ongoing use and removal of debris and storage boxes within the City’s public right-of-way. The public right-of-way typically consists of the area that encompasses the public streets and sidewalks.

Debris Bin

The Santa Rosa City Council has adopted an ordinance regulating construction and demolition debris (C&D) hauling services within the City.

All C&D haulers operating within the City are required to obtain a non-exclusive franchise agreement in order to lawfully provide debris removal services. Approvals and any required permits to place a debris bin for the purpose of removing construction and demolition debris may only by obtained by a debris hauler with an active franchise agreement. A listing of the hauling companies with executed and active franchise agreements with the City is available here. Debris Haulers with active franchise agreements may obtain an Encroachment Permit to place debris bins in the public right-of-way when the criteria listed throughout this document is met.

Exemption for self-hauling: A licensed contractor may also stage a debris bin in the public right-of-way under an encroachment permit and adjacent to their construction site when they are the owner of the debris bin and proposing to haul waste to a disposal site. The self-hauling exemption is addressed in the City Code and restricts self-hauling to a licensed contractor that both produces and hauls the waste associated with their construction services.

Storage Boxes

Portable on demand storage containers associated with the temporary storage of household goods to facilitate activities such as, but not limited to a move, pest extraction, or interior construction activities may be placed in the public right-of-way when the criteria listed throughout this document is met.

Construction materials and tool placement are typically not allowed in the public right-of-way. At no time shall hazardous waste, as defined under Chapter 17 of the City Code, be stored in the public right-of-way.

Permitting and Location Requirements

The following permitting and location requirements apply to the placement of both a debris bin and a storge box in the public right-of-way. Henceforth, debris bins and storage boxes will be generally referred to as “containers”.

Placement of containers in the in the City’s right-of-way can cause negative impacts in the neighborhood, including visibility and safety hazards to the public. Therefore, these facilities are required to be placed on private property, such as the driveway. If the property owner can demonstrate, and City’s Planning and Economic Development Department (PED) confirms, that the facility cannot be placed on private property for reasons other than convenience, an encroachment permit may be issued for the placement of the container in the public right-of-way. Unique circumstance that allow for a placement within the public right-of-way may include: the absence of a driveway, an existing driveway with a reduced depth that will result in the container encroaching into the sidewalk, or existing low hanging tree limbs or other overhanging structural elements that conflict with the driveway placement and cannot be easily removed.

Permitting Requirements

Prior to delivery of any container in the public right-of-way, an approved Encroachment Permit must be obtained by the licensed debris hauler, contractor (with a self-hauling exemption), or company providing the container. To submit an application, see the “How To Apply” section on this page.

Location Requirements 

1. The container must be located in front of the property. If the container cannot be located in front of the property and needs to be located in front of an adjacent property, written permission must be obtained from the adjacent property owners.
2. Only one container shall occupy the right of way adjacent to a property at a given time.
3. Vehicular line of sight and vision triangles shall be kept clear of obstruction. Vision triangles can be measured as shown below.
   
4. Where a curb exists, the container shall be placed adjacent and parallel to the curb with the outer edges no further than the width of a typical on street parking space.
5. In areas of the City where no curb exists, the container must be placed completely off of the paved portion of the street and parallel with traffic lane markings.
6. The container may not be placed*:
   1. in a location that may interfere with emergency services;
   2. in a location that interferes with mailboxes;
   3. in a no-parking, loading or other time-limited zone, or in an accessible parking space;
   4. within 6 feet from any driveway (including the service customers driveway);
   5. in a location where PED or the Transportation and Public Works Department determines that visibility is impaired for either vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian travel;
   6. within an existing striped bike lane;
   7. in a location that impedes bus movement in and out of an existing transit stop;
   8. within 15 from a crosswalk or crossing area, marked or unmarked;
   9. within 15 from a fire hydrant;
   10. in a location that obstructs regulatory signage;
   11. on streets with two-way traffic and parking on both sides that are less than 36’ wide, measured from curb face to curb face.

*This list is not all-inclusive and other factors or circumstances may be considered by PED when reviewing an encroachment permit application.

Additional Requirements

1. The container must have a legible serial number that is visible. Adjacent to this number, a weather-protected copy of the issued Encroachment Permit must be posted.
2. The container must have appropriate markings/placards identifying the name and contact information of the owner of the container.
3. The container must have reflectors at each corner. The Permittee is responsible to ensure that these are provided on the container when it is delivered and are maintained throughout the time that the container occupies the right-of-way.
   
   

How to Apply

For Debris Bins

Debris Haulers with active franchise agreements must apply for an Encroachment Permit electronically through the City’s Accela Citizen Access Online Permitting System by registering for an account. Please note that once a new account is registered the City will require one (1) business day to initialize and configure the new account to provide access to the Encroachment Permit Container application.

If the container is owned by a licensed contractor that both produces and hauls the waste associated with their construction services, the project may qualify for the self-hauling exemption as defined in the in the City Code. Self-hauling debris bin applications must be submittal electronically through the City’s encroachment permit application portal.

Duration of Permit: The initial permit may not be approved for a period of time exceeding four weeks. A four-week extension can be applied for and may be granted by PED on a case-by-case basis.

For Storage Boxes

The company owning the storage box must apply for an Encroachment Permit electronically through the City’s Accela Citizen Access Online Permitting System. Please note that when registering for a new account, the City will require one (1) business day to initialize and configure the new account to provide access to the EP Container application.

General information regarding the encroachment permit submittal and insurance requirements can be viewed here. Question regarding the application process can be directed to the Engineering Division of the Planning and Economic Development Department at [email protected] or (707) 543-4611.

Duration of Permit: The initial permit for storage boxes containing household goods may not be approved for a period of time exceeding one week. A one-week extension may be granted by PED on a case-by-case basis.

Maintenance of Facility

The permittee is responsible for maintaining the encroaching container in a safe condition and good appearance to the satisfaction of the City. Repair of any damage to the public infrastructure (street, curb, street tree, etc.) by the placement of the container is the responsibility of the permittee. The issuance of a separate permit and the services of a contractor with the appropriate contractor’s license and insurance needed to address the specific damage created by the placement, ongoing use or removal of the facility may be required.