Woodlake Municipal Code Ch. 12.08 Excavations

A. A permit shall be obtained for all underground facilities where pavement, driveways or sidewalks are cut, or excavations are made in public rights-of-way in the city where the city has accepted the streets, alleys or public ways for maintenance.

B. A permit for the necessary work is to be obtained from the city clerk, City Hall, Woodlake, California. Permit shall be obtained prior to the starting of any work, and permittee shall notify the city clerk the day the work is to be started. The fee for the permit shall be set by resolution of the city council and may be amended by resolution.

(Ord. 198 §§ 1, 2, 1966)

Every person applying for a permit shall file with the city clerk a policy, true copy thereof or certificate of insurance as evidence that the applicant has in effect public liability insurance for bodily injury in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for each person and three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) for each accident and for property damage in the amount of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00). Failure of applicant to file such certificate, policy or such copy thereof and obtain the approval of the city thereof shall be grounds for denying any permit provided for herein. Franchised public utilities operating under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission are exempt from the provisions of this section for work performed by their own forces.

(Ord. 198 § 3, 1966)

All underground facilities installed shall have a minimum cover of twenty-four (24) inches for installation within the traveled way between curbs. In the parkway and sidewalk area the cover may be reduced to such minimums as approved by the superintendent of public works.

(Ord. 198 § 4, 1966)

A. The operation shall be conducted in a matter to interfere with traffic as little as possible. Sufficient standard warning signs, lights and barricades shall be provided to adequately protect the public. At all times when a street is out, temporary access is to be provided for all property owners. The maximum length of trench to be open at any one time shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) feet except in business and commercial districts the trench length shall not exceed four hundred twenty (420) feet.

B. Temporary patching will be required when permanent paving must be delayed more than one week. Temporary patching must be replaced with permanent paving within forty-five (45) days.

C. Dust control shall be maintained during construction by use of water or dust pallative or both. At the conclusion of the work, all dirt shall be removed from the street and the entire area left in a dirt and dust free condition.

(Ord. 198 § 5, 1966)

A. Pavement and base shall be replaced in kind but in no case shall the pavement be less than two inches thick or shall the base be less than six inches thick.

B. All concrete and asphalt concrete shall be sawed or cut prior to any pavement removal with cutting lines to be parallel. All other surfaces shall be cut to a neat line with an impact cutting device. All surfacing material removed for the work proposed is to be disposed of off the public right-of-way. The backfill is to be compacted in lifts with a hydro hammer or similar impact device.

C. That portion of the fill more than twenty-four (24) inches below the surface shall have a minimum relative compaction of ninety (90) per cent and that portion within twenty-four (24) inches of the surface shall have a minimum relative compaction of ninety-five (95) percent. All necessary tests are to be paid for by the permittee.

D. No pavement shall be replaced until the backfill and base have been inspected and approved by the superintendent of public works or his representative.

E. All work done and materials used shall be in conformance to the Standard Specifications of California Division of Highways, Department of Public Works, dated January, 1964.

(Ord. 198 § 6, 1966)

A. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to work on state highways where the permit is issued by the state and inspection is performed by the state. Neither shall the provisions of this chapter apply to excavations for telephone, telegraph or electric poles or their appurtenances.

B. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the city public works department except that the requirements for permits and fees are waived. Fees will be waived for public utility work required in conjunction with city initiated public works projects.

(Ord. 198 §§ 7, 8, 1966)

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to prevent any person, firm or corporation, maintaining any pipe or conduit in any public street, alley or other public place, by virtue of any law, ordinance or permit, from making such excavation as may be necessary for the preservation of life or property or for the restoration of electric, gas, water, communication facilities, or emergency and governmental services, when such necessity arises during such hours as the offices of the city are closed; provided, that the person, firm or corporation making such excavation shall apply for a permit therefor within eight hours after the city is first opened subsequent to the making of such excavation.

(Ord. 198 § 9, 1966)

A violation of this chapter is not punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor, a violation of this chapter is punishable only by an administrative fine. Any person who violates any provisions of any ordinance enacted by the city, as amended from time to time, or any person who owns property upon which a violation exists, irrespective of whether that person caused the violation, shall be subject to an administrative fine or penalty up to the maximum amounts set forth by Woodlake Municipal Code Chapter 1.12.070.

Persons cited for violating this chapter may request an administrative appeal hearing as permitted by Woodlake Municipal Code Chapter 1.12.110.

(Ord. 198 § 11, 1966)

(Ord. No. 641, § 2, 11-8-2021)