Encroachment & Dumpster Permits

If you will be using any part of the public right-of-way for any length of time, including storing materials (such as large dumpster), parking equipment, or conducting any construction or landscape work.

A public right-of-way is defined as any street, road, highway, sidewalk, curb parkway, driveway approach, or easement that is owned, leased, or controlled by the City. 

You need an encroachment permit for any work, for any length of time, on public right-of-way. This includes on the sidewalk, the curb parkway, or the driveway approach in front or adjacent to your property. 

You only need to obtain an encroachment permit if removing the tree requires using any part of a public right-of-way, including the sidewalk, to have the tree removed.

A public right-of-way is defined as any street, road, highway, sidewalk, curb parkway, driveway approach, or easement that is owned, leased, or controlled by the City. 

No. An encroachment permit is not required for a moving pod placed on private property.

Yes. An encroachment permit is required for placing a dumpster on a public street. An encroachment permit is not required if the container is placed on private property.

Note: You may only request a dumpster through CR&R

No. The City has a franchise agreement with CR&R, therefore, only dumpster containers from CR&R are authorized on public streets.

Residents, HOAs, private developers, licensed contractors, and utility companies may apply for an encroachment permit using the City of Laguna Niguel Online Permit Center. You will need to create an account in order to apply and pay for an encroachment permit online.

For questions, please call (949) 362-4337 or email pwencroachment@cityoflagunaniguel.org.

Fees are set by the State of California. A typical encroachment permit will cost $200.00 per working day. This covers the initial two (2) inspections. Additional inspections will be charged at $100.00 per hour. 

The fee to place a dumpster container on public streets is $75.00. 

Click here to review a complete list of encroachment permit fees. 

Encroachment permits and dumpster permit applications may take up to ten (10) business days for review. Issued permits are available for download through the City of Laguna Niguel Online Permit Center.

Requests to expedite the review on an encroachment permit application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Required Documents:

• Site location map
• Certificate of Insurance with an endorsement naming the City of Laguna Niguel as an Additional Insured. 
• A surety bond (if required)
• Traffic control plans (if required. WATCHbook manual typical layouts are accepted)

If available, please submit:

• Copies of construction plans, exhibits and/or sketches of work to be performed
• Construction schedules

Approved encroachment permits will be issued and available for download through the City of Laguna Niguel Online Permit Center.  

Upon issue of the approved encroachment permit, you may then submit the required inspection requests through the City of Laguna Niguel Online Permit Center two (2) business days before commencing work. 

You may request an inspection for your encroachment permit through your account in the City of Laguna Niguel Online Permit Center portal.