Chapter 25›Article V — PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, DEDICATIONS, PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS, AND IMPROVEMENT SECURITIES
§ 25-29. Public improvements.
Cypress Planning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Cypress
The following standards and criteria shall apply for the design and construction of all public improvements required under this title:
(A) Streets and highways:
(1) Right-of-way and roadway width. Streets shall substantially conform to the circulation element of the general plan or an adopted specific plan. Requirements may exceed general plan requirements at the request of the developer with concurrence of the director of public works. In the absence of a general plan or specific plan, the street system shall relate in location and width to the existing streets in the area adjoining the development or project. Additional right-of-way and improvement may be required to accommodate the provision of trails in accordance with the objectives of the master plan of trails.
(2) Right-of-way and roadway width shall be as follows:
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City of Cypress, CA
SUBDIVISIONS
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Roadway Width (feet
Type of Street Roadway Width (feet) between curb faces)
Local 60 40
Cul-de-sac 56 min. 36
Local collector 64 - 84 44 min.
Secondary 84 - 100 64 - 84
Primary arterial 100 84
Major arterial 120 min. 104
Rural street 60 20
Special sections see below see below
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Streets or highways not falling clearly into listed types or private streets with public service easements may have widths different than those listed as approved by the department of public works.
The types of streets identified above shall have the following definitions:
(a) Local Streets: Local streets shall not be less than 60 feet in width. The right-ofway shall be improved with two travel lanes and two parking lanes.
(b) Cul-de-sac: Cul-de-sacs shall have a minimum width of not less than 56 feet. The radius at the terminus of the cul-de-sacs shall be not less than 50 feet. Pavement width shall be the same as a local street.
(c) Local Collector: Local collector streets shall not be less than 64 feet wide. The right-of-way shall be improved with two twelve-foot travel lanes and two parking lanes, or four eleven-foot travel lanes, with no parking, if traffic warrants.
(d) Secondary Arterial: Secondary arterials shall have a minimum right-of-way of 84 feet, improved with a four-lane highway. There shall be limited vehicular access from abutting properties.
(e) Primary Arterial: Primary arterials shall have 100 feet of right-of-way improved with a six-lane, divided or undivided highway. There shall be restricted vehicular access from abutting properties.
(f) Major Arterial: Major arterials shall have 120 feet of right-of-way improved with a six-lane, divided or undivided highway. There shall be restricted vehicular access from abutting properties.
(g) Rural Street: Rural streets shall be those streets as may be specified from time to time by resolution of the city council when located in low-density residential areas zoned RS-15000 and having right-of-way widths of not more than 60 feet. Normal street improvements such as curbs, gutters, sidewalks and streetlights shall not be generally required along rural streets in order to preserve the natural beauty and rural environment of an area.
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City of Cypress, CA
CYPRESS CODE
§ 25-29
§ 25-29
(3) Dead-end and cul-de-sac streets. Cul-de-sac streets, generally, shall not exceed 300 feet in length measured along the street center line from the center line of the intersecting street to the radius point of the turnaround or bulk end of the cul-de-sac. The property line radius at the terminus of the cul-de-sac shall be designed so as to provide a uniform parkway width. The curb radius shall be a minimum of 38 feet. Dead-end streets, to be extended at some later date, generally shall not exceed 300 feet in length, measured along the street center line from the center line of the intersecting street to the terminus of the dead-end street. The ends of dead-end streets shall be improved with temporary turnarounds as required by the director of public works.
(4) Frontage roadways. Along major highways, limited access highways or freeways, a frontage road separated from the main roadway by an acceptable divider strip may be required.
(5) Curved streets. The center line radii of curves on streets or highways, except where physical conditions and other special circumstances make compliance impractical, shall be not less than:
(a) One thousand feet on arterial highways.
(b) Five hundred feet on local collector streets.
(c) Two hundred fifty feet on all other streets.
(6) Grades. Street grades shall not be less than 0.2%.
(7) Intersections. Street intersections shall be as near to right angles as practicable. Where new streets intersect existing "tee" intersections, the new center line shall align as closely as possible with that of the opposite street.
(8) Continuation of existing streets. Streets which are a continuation of streets on contiguous property shall be aligned so as to assure that their center lines shall coincide. In cases where straight continuations are not physically possible, such center line shall be continued by curves.
(9) Curb return and property line radii. At the intersections of all streets, where both streets have a right-of-way of 80 feet or greater, the radius of the curb return shall be no less than 35 feet; where one of the intersecting streets has a right-of-way width of 80 feet or more, and the other street has a width of less than 80 feet, the curb return radius at the intersection shall be no less than 35 feet. Curb return radii on all other intersecting streets, where both streets have right-of-way widths less than 80 feet, shall be not less than 25 feet. The property line radius at the above intersections shall be equal to the curb return radius, less the width of the narrower parkway of the two intersecting streets. In no case shall the parkway width around a curb return be less than eight feet wide. At the intersection of a private street or a public service easement with a public street where the public street has a right-of-way width of 80 feet or more, the curb return shall be no less than 25 feet in radius.
(10) At the intersection of arterial and primary streets as shown on the master plan of streets and high-ways, there shall be a property line cutoff. This cutoff shall be the chord drawn between the intersection points of the curb radius lines of a 35 foot curb
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City of Cypress, CA
SUBDIVISIONS
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radius with the street property lines.
- (B) Sidewalks and walkways. Concrete sidewalks shall be installed on both sides of all arterial highways and through streets. Widths shall be in accordance with the Cypress General Plan or as designed by the director of public works, but shall not be less than four feet wide in residential areas and five feet wide in multiple-residential zones. Sidewalks may be eliminated in parkways on local streets fronting property zoned for industrial or manufacturing use, provided the parkway is suitably landscaped and irrigated in lieu thereof. Full width sidewalks shall generally be provided on arterial highways and in commercial zones. Walkways between blocks or streets, or at such other locations as required by the conditions of development, shall be dedicated and improved for the convenience of pedestrian traffic, and shall be not less than 10 feet in width. Sidewalks, improved to the standards and at the locations specified, shall be provided and installed within common lot areas, between lots, and along private streets and easements in planned residential developments (PRD), and in condominium projects in accordance with the conditions of development.
d improved for the convenience of pedestrian traffic, and shall be not less than 10 feet in width. Sidewalks, improved to the standards and at the locations specified, shall be provided and installed within common lot areas, between lots, and along private streets and easements in planned residential developments (PRD), and in condominium projects in accordance with the conditions of development.
(C) Street lighting and common area lighting. Streetlights shall be provided and installed on all streets. The lighting system shall be constructed to city standards. Where, in the opinion of the director of public works, present conditions or circumstances make the construction of streetlights more practical at some later date, a cash deposit, in lieu of their construction, shall be paid to the city, which deposit shall be equal to the prevailing cost of a standard streetlight divided by the average spacing between any two staggered streetlights, multiplied by the street frontage of the property in question. Private streets and common areas within planned residential and within condominium projects shall be improved by the construction of street and area lighting systems in accordance with approved plans.
(D) Street names and street name signs. All new streets shall be named and all private streets within planned residential developments shall be named. The names shall be chosen by the city, or the subdivider or developer, subject to the review and approval of the city street naming committee. Street name signs, bearing block numbers, shall be installed at intersections of all streets and highways and private, named streets, and at such other locations designated by the director of public works. All street name signs shall conform to the standards as established by the director of public works as to size, color, height, lettering and other details. Fees to pay for the furnishing and installation of street name signs by city forces shall be collected from the developer or subdivider.
(E) Parkway trees. Parkway trees shall be installed along all streets and highways. The trees shall be installed in the manner and shall conform to the size and species specified in the city townscape plan and by the director of public works. In full-width sidewalks, tree wells shall be provided as required for the trees. Fees to pay for the furnishing and installation of parkway trees by city forces shall be collected from the developer or subdivider. On streets adjacent to industrial, manufacturing, or planned residential zones, parkway trees may not be required, provided they are replaced by trees or other suitable landscaping planted on adjacent properties in conjunction with approved, on-site landscaping.
(F) Median Islands. Raised median islands shall be required in accordance with the provisions of the general plan.
(G) Alleys and public service easements. Alleys may be required on all sites zoned for or to be used for industrial, commercial or multiple-family purposes when the lot layout, safety of
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City of Cypress, CA § 25-29
CYPRESS CODE
§ 25-29
access, provision of legal access or public service needs makes such public access necessary. Where the lot is large, under single ownership and the conditions applicable for public alleys are not present, a public service easement, improved to city standards, may be required in lieu of an alley. The purpose of said public service easement is to provide an easement for all public and private utilities, including cable television, and to provide an access easement for all public service vehicles, including but not limited to emergency vehicles, police patrol, fire inspection, and refuse collection trucks. The property owner may otherwise control access and shall be responsible for maintenance of the roadway improvements within said public service easement. Alleys or public service easements may be required at the rear of all property fronting directly upon major highways and secondary streets and may be required at other locations where necessary to prevent undue interference with traffic. Where alleys or public service easements intersect, the corners shall be provided with cutoffs to provide sight distance and to facilitate turning. Cutoffs shall be triangularly shaped, having 15 feet (minimum) sides on each alley, or spandrel shaped, having a twenty-five-foot (minimum) radius. Alley and public service easement dedications shall include the cut-off areas. All alleys and public service easements shall be constructed in accordance with city development standards as to design, alignment, width, and method of improvement, with the minimum width of any alley or public service easement being 26 feet. As a condition of tentative or final map approvals, existing alleys in need of reconstruction or upgrading, where determined by the director of public works, may be required to be reconstructed or upgraded, or in lieu thereof, a reasonable cash deposit in the amount of the estimated cost of improvement, shall be deposited with the director of public works.
r public service easement being 26 feet. As a condition of tentative or final map approvals, existing alleys in need of reconstruction or upgrading, where determined by the director of public works, may be required to be reconstructed or upgraded, or in lieu thereof, a reasonable cash deposit in the amount of the estimated cost of improvement, shall be deposited with the director of public works.
(H) Drainage and grading improvements. Drainage facilities shall be provided and installed as necessary to protect the lots, parcels, buildings or structures involved from flooding, and to prevent excessive flooding of the public streets therein or abutting the property. The facilities shall be designed to prevent excessive flooding of the first floor level, as defined by the Federal Insurance Administration, from storm runoff emanating from a one hundredyear frequency storm. Public streets shall be protected from flooding from run-offs of a ten-year frequency storm, in accordance with city standards or approved equivalent. Protection to higher levels may be required by the director of public works, dependent upon the degree of flood risk involved, the topography, location, local drainage patterns, and the requirements of the Orange County Flood Control District. Hydrologic and hydraulic calculations and studies for all such facilities shall be subject to the review and approval of the director of public works. All grading done in conjunction with the development of the tract or property concerned shall be performed in conformance with the city building and grading code and with good engineering practices. On-and off-site storm drain facilities and the site grading shall be so designed and constructed to prevent undue erosion of the site or off-site properties, and to prevent excessive deposits of mud, silt or debris upon any public street or easement, or within any channel, storm drain facility, swale or watercourse. Fees shall be collected as a condition of the final approval of a subdivision map for the purpose of defraying the actual or estimated costs of constructing planned drainage facilities for the removal of surface and storm waters from local or neighborhood drainage areas. The fee shall be calculated in accordance with the city master plan of drainage, or any applicable element of the city general plan and established by resolution of the city council.
(I) Sewerage facilities. Sewer mains, manholes and appurtenances shall be constructed to serve the subdivision, lot, parcel, building or structure, and individual laterals shall be
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City of Cypress, CA
SUBDIVISIONS
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provided to each lot and parcel therein. All such facilities shall be installed prior to the paving of the streets, alleys or improvement of the easements within the development. Sanitary sewers shall be constructed to the sizes, lines, grades and design in accordance with city standards or approved equivalent, and as required by any master plan of sewers or element of the general plan or any specific plan in effect. Fees shall be collected as a condition of the final approval of a subdivision map for the purpose of constructing planned sanitary sewer facilities for local sanitary sewers in accordance with the city's master sewerage plan or any applicable element of the city general plan.
(1) All house laterals, industrial connection sewers, and appurtenances thereto, now existing or hereafter constructed, shall be maintained by the owner of the property in a safe and sanitary condition, and all devices and safeguards which are required by this chapter or any other requirement of the city, for the operation thereof shall be maintained in a good working order.
(J) Water supply system. Water mains, services, meters, cross connection control, valves, fire protection facilities, and all other appurtenances of the water system shall be provided to the sizes, lines, grades and design in accordance with city standards or approved equivalent, applicable state law, and the fire marshal. All mains, services and appurtenances shall be installed prior to the paving of the streets or alleys or easements within the development. Connection charges, water main reimbursements, front footage charges, and all other fees related to water systems shall be paid.
(K) Driveways and access. The location of driveway depressions and access points within a subdivision or planned residential development project, or other development shall be as shown on the approved tentative map, concept plan, or site plan, or in their absence as determined by the director of public works, in accordance with sound traffic engineering principles and practices. Driveways and access points shall be improved in the manner and to the extent as determined by the director of public works, subject to the following general provisions:
(1) Driveway depressions shall be a minimum of 15 feet in width.
(2) Driveway depressions on a single parcel or lot shall be separated by at least 22 feet of full curb height.
(3) Maximum width of driveway depressions in single-family zones:
(a) Where lot has one-or two-car garage: Twenty-five feet.
(b) Where lot has a three-car garage: Thirty feet.
(4) Maximum width of driveway depressions in other, higher density or use zones: Thirty feet, except as otherwise approved by the director of public works in accordance with sound traffic engineering principles and practices.
(5) No part of a driveway depression or transition shall encroach onto adjoining property frontages. A minimum of two feet of full-height curb is required between the property line and top of "X."
(6) Driveways shall be constructed symmetrically and shall be at right angles to the center line of the street or radial to the street on curbed streets.
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City of Cypress, CA § 25-29
CYPRESS CODE
§ 25-30
Where alleys are available to provide access to a parcel or a property, or where other access is available to a local street, the approval of driveway access or the issuance of a permit for a driveway from the said parcel or property to any street designated as a major, primary or secondary street on the circulation element of the general plan may be prohibited by the director of public works. Where the construction or widening of any street, or the development of any parcel or property requires the striping or restriping of any pavement, the painting of turn pockets, medians, edge lines, or other pavement markings, or the installation of warning or advisory signs, in order to provide safe traffic flow or access to or from said property, parcel or development, all such work shall be done at no cost to the City of Cypress, in accordance with city standards or their equivalent as determined by the director of public works, the state department of transportation, vehicle code, and other applicable codes.
(L) Landscaping. The open space and other areas owned in common planned residential and condominium projects shall be provided with landscaping and irrigation facilities in accordance with plans to be approved by the planning director.
(M) Traffic signals. Construction, modification or upgrading of traffic signals and appurtenances may be required as a condition of the approval of any subdivision, land division, use or building permit, if the additional traffic generated by the tract or development, the safety of the traveling public, the increased use of the streets, or other unusual circumstances require said construction. Where the development of a subdivision or other project will be phased over a period of time, and, in the opinion of the director of public works, the full effect of the increased burden on the streets will not be felt for a period of time, the subdivider or developer may be required to deposit a cash amount in the estimated value of the traffic signal improvements ultimately to be made, which sum shall be used at such time as the construction of the signal and appurtenances is warranted. In lieu of a cash deposit, the subdivider/developer may be permitted to post a bond or other surety to guarantee the installation of required traffic signals in a form satisfactory to the public works director and city attorney. The exact amount, details and timing of the deposit and future construction shall be subject to an agreement between the city and the subdivider or developer.
warranted. In lieu of a cash deposit, the subdivider/developer may be permitted to post a bond or other surety to guarantee the installation of required traffic signals in a form satisfactory to the public works director and city attorney. The exact amount, details and timing of the deposit and future construction shall be subject to an agreement between the city and the subdivider or developer.
(N) Walls. A masonry wall or equivalent thereof shall be constructed along the sides of all arterial, primary and secondary highways, where the abutting lots or parcels have alternate access to other streets, and where access rights to the arterial, primary or secondary highway from the abutting lots have been or are required to be dedicated to the city. The exact type of construction, design and height of the walls shall be in accordance with city standards or approved equivalent. Retaining walls shall be required where there is a difference of one foot or more in grade.
(Ord. No. 582, § 2, 9-13-76; Ord. No. 717, § 17, 11-28-83; Ord. No. 894, § 2, 2-8-93)
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Cypress Planning Code
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▸ Chapter 25
Overview- Article I — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Article II — DIVISION OF LAND BY TRACT MAP
- Article III — DIVISION OF LAND BY PARCEL MAP
- Article IV — REVERSION TO ACREAGE
- Article IV — A MERGER OF PARCELS
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▸ Article V — PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, DEDICATIONS, PERFORMANCE AGRE…
Overview- § 25-26. Purpose.
- § 25-27. City standards; adoption and modification thereof.
- § 25-28. Minimum improvements and dedications.
- § 25-29. Public improvements.
- § 25-30. Bridge crossing and major thoroughfares.
- § 25-31. Supplemental improvements; reimbursement therefor.
- § 25-32. Underground utilities and service lines.
- § 25-35 may be appealed to the city council in the same manner…
- § 25-33. Soils report.
- § 25-34. Inspection of public improvements.
- § 25-35. Improvement plans, drawings, and related items.
- § 25-36. Safety and public convenience.
- § 25-37. Reservation of land for public uses.
- § 25-38. Dedication of elementary school sites.
- § 25-39. Dedication of land for public use.
- § 25-40. Agreements and improvement securities.
- Article VI — PARK AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
- Article VIII — NEW RENTAL HOUSING CONVERSION
- Article IX — VESTING TENTATIVE MAP[1 ]
- Article X — PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FEES
- Article XI — URBAN LOT SPLITS
- Chapter 28
- Division 1 — Generally
- Division 2 — Financing Projects
- Division 4 — Applications
- Division 5 — Supplemental Provisions