Frequently Asked Questions in the Engineering Division

How can I get damaged sidewalk, curb or gutter in front of my house repaired?
Per the City of San Clemente Municipal Code, Section 12.24.050, the property owner shall be responsible for repair and/or replacement of sidewalks, curbs or gutters in front of their property, except when City determines that the damages were caused by City street trees or utility cuts. The City allows the property owner or licensed contractor to obtain an Encroachment Permit to repair and/or replace the sidewalk. If the property owner does not maintain or make the repair, it may be made by the City and the cost of the same, including incidental expenses, shall be a lien on the property. For information regarding sidewalk repairs, you may contact the City Public Works Inspectors at (949) 361-6131 and for Encroachment Permits, call (949) 361-6144 Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and on alternating Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

How do I get information on my property about existing soils conditions, utility lines, lot dimensions, and flood zone?
General engineering questions can be obtained from Engineering Division Counter at the Community Development building, 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100, San Clemente .

Who do I talk to about construction dust and noise?
If construction activities are on the public property, please call the City Public Works Inspector at (949) 361-6131.If the construction seems to be on private property, please call the Building Code Compliance Officer at (949) 361-6172.

What permit is required for work in the public right-of-way?
An Encroachment permit is required for all work perform in the right-of-way.Three sets of construction/site plans, a Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the City of San Clemente as an additional insured, and a current City business license are required at time of permit request. You may obtain the permit at the Engineering Division Counter, Community Development building, 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100, San Clemente .

Who do I contact for information on obtaining a water meter or renting a fire hydrant for temporary water meter within the City of San Clemente ?
The City Utilities Division at 380 Avenida Pico, Building N, San Clemente , (949) 366-1553.

Who do I talk to regarding Grading Permits, On and Off-site Permits?
Engineering Division, Community Development building at 910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100, San Clemente , (949) 361-6144.

What types of bonding is required by the City of San Clemente for construction taking place in the City?
The City of San Clemente only accepts the following alternatives for bonding purposes for grading and retaining wall improvements on single family and small commercial projects.These alternatives and associated procedures must be adhered to:

1. A bond in the amount of 100% of the Engineering Division’s approved cost estimate of the cost of construction, plus 10% contingency, in the City's format.The bond must be accompanied by a notary statement for the bond signatures, and an additional document attached to the bond that indicates that the bonding company and Attorney in Fact are authorized to conduct such business in the State of California.The bonding company must meet Standard & Poor or A.M. Best Company's minimum rating of A+.
2. A cash bond (check) in the amount equal to 100% of the approved cost estimate plus 10% contingency, as described above.
3. A Letter of Credit using the City’s Form in the amount equal to 100% of the approved cost estimate plus 10% contingency, as described above.
4. A Certificate of Deposit naming the City of San Clemente as Beneficiary, for a period of no less than one year, automatically renewable, and payable unilaterally to the City of San Clemente. Interest may be paid to the Applicant.The Certificate must be provided by the same entity as Applicant and/or Owner.

Before submitting the bond or Certificate of Deposit to the City, please FAX a copy of the proposed bond (certificate) and the approved cost estimate to the Engineering Division at (949) 366-4741 for approval of content, dollar amount and format.Upon approval, please submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of the surety.

Please note that upon written sign-off by the Public Works Inspector and request for the return of surety by the Applicant, the exoneration process will consist of no less than 3 weeks.

Why do I need a bond for my project?
According to the City of San Clemente Municipal Code, Section 15.36.260, the bond is required to assure that the work, if not completed in accordance with approved plans and specifications will be corrected to eliminate hazardous conditions.

Do I need a permit to do a slope repair on property?
Before proceeding with slope repairs you must contact the Engineering Inspector at (949) 361-6131 to determine if a permit is required.

Frequently Asked Question: Traffic Engineering

Won’t a ‘Stop Sign’ Slow Traffic on our Street?

*Stop signs installed in the wrong places for the wrong purposes usually create more problems than they solve.

*On common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt traffic, either by causing it to stop or by causing such inconvenience that motorists are forced to use other routes. Studies conducted in many parts of the country show that there is a high incidence of intentional violations where stops signs are installed as “nuisances” or “speed breakers”. These studies showed that speed was reduced in the immediate vicinity of the “nuisance” stop signs. But, speeds were actually higher between intersections than they would have been if these signs hadn’t been installed.

*At the right place and under the right conditions, a stop sign tells drivers and pedestrians who has the right of way. Nationally recognized standards have been established to determine when stop signs should be used. These standards, or warrants, take into consideration, among other things, traffic speed and volume, sight distance and the frequency of traffic “gaps” which will allow safe vehicle entry or pedestrian crossing.

*Most drivers are reasonable and prudent. But, when confronted with unreasonable restrictions, they frequently violate them and develop a general contempt for all traffic controls, often with tragic results.

*Adapted from the Institute of Transportation Engineers District 10, Traffic Information Program Series The current Engineering methodology for determining if stop signs are warranted at intersections has been established by the California State Transportation Department (Caltrans). This is the methodology used by the City of San Clemente . The warrants for multi-way stop signs evaluate for an unduly hazardous condition as evidenced by accidents correctable by stop signs, approach speeds, vehicle and/or pedestrian volumes, turning movements and/or other factors. Stop signs are not recommended for speed control.

Why Can’t we use ‘Speed Bumps’ on our Block?

*The speed bump is an increased hazard to the unwary…a challenge to the daredevil…a disruption of movement of emergency vehicles…and the cause of an undesirable increase in noise.

*Courts have held public agencies liable for personal injuries resulting from faulty design. Because speed bumps have considerable potential for liability suits, many jurisdictions have rejected them as a standard traffic control device on public streets.

*In addition, tests of various experimental designs have demonstrated the physical inability of a speed bump to successfully control all types of light-weight and heavy-weight vehicles. The driver of a soft-sprung sedan may be inclined to increase speed to achieve a “better ride” over a bump that may cause other motorists to lose control.

*Adapted from the Institute of Transportation Engineers District 10, Traffic Information Program Series The local topography and alignment of streets in San Clemente involve significant horizontal curvature and longitudinal grades. These conditions present numerous limitations to their use when considering the effect that speed bumps have on the handling characteristics of vehicles. Additionally, the maintenance costs associated with street rehabilitation are significant due to the need to preserve the exacting design tolerances demanded for speed humps. Do Marked Crosswalks Provide Better Pedestrian Safety? The purpose of a marked crosswalk is to indicate a point at which pedestrians are directed to cross roadways.

*Research suggests that marked crosswalks give pedestrians a false sense of security. Pedestrians often step off the curb expecting driver of vehicles approaching to stop. However, drivers frequently fail to stop…it is the pedestrian’s responsibility to be cautious and alert before starting to cross the street.

*At crosswalks on multi-lane roadways, another frequent factor in causing crashes involves the driver of a vehicle in the lane nearest the curb stopping for a pedestrian who is waiting or who is in the crosswalk. The driver of a second vehicle traveling in the lane next to the stopped vehicle tries to pass the stopped vehicle and hit the pedestrian, even though it is illegal for drivers to pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk.

*Crosswalks are marked at intersections where there is substantial conflict between vehicle and pedestrian movements, where significant pedestrian concentrations occur, where pedestrians could not otherwise recognize the proper place to cross, and where traffic movements are controlled.

*At approved school crossings….children are encouraged to use a crossing which is normally being monitored.

*Adapted from the Institute of Transportation Engineers District 10, Traffic Information Program Series A study of an unmarked crossing conducted by the City of San Diego , documented 6 times as many accidents occurring when the crossing was marked. A similar study performed by the City of Long Beach recorded 8 times as many accidents when the crossing was marked. Basically, the California Vehicle Code defines two types of crosswalks, marked and unmarked. At unmarked crosswalks pedestrians better understand the need to use caution before starting to cross the street. Therefore, pedestrians are urged to use caution at all times when crossing the street.

Why not “Lower the Speed Limit” to Reduce Hazards in our Area?

*An unrealistically low speed limit can actually lead to crashes. Here’s why:
First, many studies conducted over several decades in all parts of the country have shown that a driver’s speed is influenced more by the appearance of the roadway and the prevailing traffic conditions than it is by the posted speed limit.
Second, some drivers will obey the lower posted speed while others will feel it is unreasonable and simply ignore it. This disrupts the uniform traffic flow and increases crash potential between the faster and slower drivers.
Third, when traffic is traveling at different speeds, the number of breaks in traffic to permit safe crossing is reduced. Pedestrians also have greater difficulty in judging the speed of approaching vehicles.

*Adapted from the Institute of Transportation Engineers District 10, Traffic Information Program Series California Speed Law (CVC 22350) states that “No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent, having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property. Blanket regulations provide that no person shall drive more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour on streets within business and residential districts and school zone areas. Theses speeds need not be posted; all California motorists are required to know this basic 25 miles per hour limit law. Intermediate speed limits between twenty-five (25) and fifty-five (55) miles per hour, may be established by local authorities on the basis of a traffic engineering survey. These surveys include analysis of roadway conditions, accident records and primarily the prevailing speeds of prudent drivers.