Right-of-way construction specifications and standards

If you do work within the public right-of-way, you need to meet our construction and restoration standards.

All work performed must follow

• Marin County Uniform Construction Standards (follow the drawings referenced in this manual unless other wise noted)
• Municipal Code Section 11.04.030.050

The contractor shall be responsible to conduct all operations in conformance with local, State, and Federal safety codes, permits, and regulations.

• 2 lbs. of Davis Black per cubic yard is required
• Pour curbs separately from sidewalks
• Do not use rebar, unless approved
• Forms are required for the lip of the gutter
• Remove asphalt for installation of the form
• A conform is required for asphalt repaving (clean cut 2′ from the lip of the gutter to ensure a quality patch)

Follow these guidelines based on the pavement condition index (PCI) you need to meet. Determine PCI of streets with the Street Saver-PCI map.

The City reserves the right to make adjustments to the restoration based on existing conditions. These guidelines were last updated February 2022.

90 PCI or more

Moratorium Street. Emergency encroachment only. Subject to special conditions and pavement restoration along entire property frontage. ADA curb ramp upgrades on case by case basis.

70 to 90 PCI

For roads:

• Less than 24 ft wide: Up to full width restoration (when applicable).
• Over 24 ft wide: Restoration to centerline unless repair crosses the centerline then up to a full width restoration is required.

Restoration to extend up to 5 feet beyond each side of the trench excavation, including a structural pavement section extending 24 inches outside the limits of the trench excavation per DWG No. 330 and 380 (drawing can be found in the Uniform Construction Standards for All Cities and County of Marin, adopted July 2018).

Typical pavement restoration includes a 24-inch trench overcut to preserve the structural integrity of the roadway. This requirement can be reduced or eliminated if a Public Works representative inspects the trench during construction and provides written approval to modify the requirement.

ADA curb ramp upgrades on case by case basis.

55 to 70 PCI

Restoration to extend up to 5 feet beyond each side of the trench excavation, including a structural pavement section extending 24 inches outside the limits of the trench excavation per DWG No. 330, 360, 370, and 380 (drawing can be found in the Uniform Construction Standards for All Cities and County of Marin, adopted July 2018).

Typical pavement restoration includes a 24-inch trench overcut to preserve the structural integrity of the roadway. This requirement can be reduced or eliminated if a Public Works representative inspects the trench during construction and provides written approval to modify the requirement.

0 to 55 PCI

Restoration to extend minimum 2 feet beyond each side of the trench excavation, per DWG No. 330, 360, 370, and 380 (drawing can be found in the Uniform Construction Standards for All Cities and County of Marin, adopted July 2018).

Replace all pavement marking and signage damaged or eliminated during construction activities as soon as possible. If you don't do this within 30 days, we reserve the right to complete the work and bill you for all the related costs.

Make sure striping conforms with the current Caltrans Standard Specifications and is installed in US units.

Maintain all encroachments in a safe and clean manner. Promptly remove all graffiti.

Make sure your materials, equipment staging, and construction have proper erosion and sediment control measures in place. Maintain them to control sedimentation discharge and contaminants to the storm drain system following Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP) standards. If we request modifications, you need to implement them at no cost to the City.

You are not allowed to store or stockpile equipment or materials and debris within the right of way, unless you get written permission from the Department of Public Works. Trucks may not stop or cause backups on streets.

Remove excavated material to a suitable depository site.

Hot patch or plate over trenches during non-working hours. Cut back (cold patch) is not allowed.

If it's necessary to use steel plates on the roadway, make sure there is a 2 foot wide A/C taper along all four edges of the plate. If more than 1 plate is used, weld contiguous plates.

Plates cannot have an offset from the adjacent asphalt more than 1 inch.

If plates are in the roadway more than 2 days, make sure they are ground and recessed.

You are not allowed to have unnecessary, long-term plating of a street. Do not place trench plates in the travel way for more than 2 weeks without prior approval. Before excavating, you need to get approval from us. Submit a written plan with:

• Duration the plates will be in place
• Reasoning for the extended duration

For trench plates on highly travelled streets, you may be required to set them flush with the existing asphalt concrete. Plates need to be:

• Skid resistant
• Pinned
• Welded

Place warning signage at least 100’ away from the trench plates.