The Public Works Department is responsible for administering the City’s public works program and for providing engineering functions. The Department is primarily responsible for the design, preparation and checking of plans for all facilities within street rights-of-way, including those within private developments and City-owned property. The Department prepares necessary plans, designs and specifications for streets, sidewalks, storm drains, sewers, parks, parkways, medians, signing and striping. The Department administers contracts with other agencies or entities for the cleaning of public streets, alleys, storm drains and for the repair to streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The Department is also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of City-owned properties, facilities and equipment, as well as City parks, parkways, trees and grounds landscaping, joint use facilities and City Trails.
Encroachment Permits
An Encroachment Permit is required for any work within the public right-of-way (i.e., drive approach, curb and gutter, sidewalk, decorative paving or walkways, or roll-off bin).
Please use our online permitting system “ConnectLCF” to apply for a permit. You may also request inspections from the system. You must register with you own login before applying. You may also find useful guides and tutorials under the How To dropdown menu on ConnectLCF portal.
Construction & Demolition Program
Waste is generated every time a building is constructed, remodeled, or demolished. This waste is known as Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris. C&D debris often contains bulky, heavy materials, including concrete, wood, asphalt (from driveways and roofing shingles), gypsum (the main component of drywall), metals, bricks, and plastics. C&D debris also includes salvageable building components such as doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures. Much of this C&D debris can easily be recycled or reused rather than disposed of.
C&D recycling is a critical part of the City’s continuing effort to comply with the State’s mandate requiring all cities to recycle 50% of all their waste. C&D debris constitutes well over 30% of the total waste generated in the City. Approximately 85% of C&D debris is currently recyclable, making it the most easily recycled type of waste in the waste stream.
Many cities, including La Cañada Flintridge, developed C&D debris recycling programs to help prevent recyclable debris from ending up in our limited local landfills. Chapter 9.14 of the Municipal Code requires building permit applicants with projects over 1,000 square feet or more (including demolition/remodels) to submit a Building Debris Management Report and a Performance Security. The Performance Security amount is calculated at the lesser of 3% of the project cost or $10,000. The Performance Security is refunded if the applicant can document that at least 50% of the project debris is reused or recycled. Click here for the current list of authorized waste haulers that have a Service Agreement with the City. When contacting them, it is essential to confirm that at least 50% of the C&D debris from your project will be recycled based on the particular type of C&D debris to be generated and the services to be provided.
Effective March 21, 2017, Green Building Standard Code requires that applicants provide documentation showing that a minimum of 65% of non-hazardous construction and demolition (C&D) debris will be salvaged, recycled, or re-used.
The City prohibits self-hauling by contractors and contracting with waste haulers other than those that have a Service Agreement with the City.
La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code (LCFMC) Section 9.12.120 specifies that it is a misdemeanor for non-permitted waste haulers to collect waste within the City. Fines of up to $500 per day may be assessed as long as the unauthorized collection continues (§9.12.020 & §1.04.010 La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code).
Tree Evaluation in the Public Right of Way
The City, following industry standards, maintains trees in the public right of way. Please use the form below to report/request evaluation of a particular tree in the public right of way.
Request for a Tree Evaluation In the Public Right of Way
Tree Removal in Public Right of Way
Municipal Code 4.24.070 Removal of city trees as initiated by abutting property owner.
- Any property owner desiring to remove a city tree abutting his or her property shall submit an application (below), along with any required fees, to the director requesting such removal to be undertaken by the city. The application shall be on a form approved by the director and shall be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the reasons for the request and any supporting evidence.
- Upon receipt of an application and the required fees, the director shall schedule a public hearing before the commission.
- Notice of the public hearing shall be provided in writing to the property owner of each property on the street block at least ten days prior to the public hearing. The notice shall state the date and time of the public hearing and a brief description of the action. Notice shall be by first-class U.S. mail.
- The commission shall approve the request for removal if it finds any of the following:
- The city tree creates an unreasonable burden upon the abutting property owner; and/or
- The city tree creates an unreasonable economic burden or hardship upon the abutting property owner; and/or
- The city tree creates a disproportionate impact on the abutting property owner and/or street frontage based on the size of the city tree.
- Following the public hearing by the commission, it shall consider the matter and may approve, deny, or approve/deny in part. The commission may include any reasonable conditions as part of its decision.
- The determination by the commission shall be final and effective unless appealed to the city manager and/or the city council in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.24.060(D) and (E), respectively, except that the city manager and city council shall render the decision based on the findings set forth in subsection D.
- In any case, where the commission, the city manager, or the city council desires another arborist report before it renders a decision, the selection of the arborist shall be mutually agreed upon by both the city and the appellant and the cost of the report shall be equally shared by the city and the appellant. If the parties are unable to mutually agree upon an arborist, the commission, the city manager, or the city council, as applicable, shall select the arborist.
- Where the applicant receives a final decision of approval by either the commission or city manager and wishes to remove the city tree immediately, the costs to do so shall be shared equally by the city and the applicant.
- The director shall replant a new city tree when possible following the removal of a city tree. (Ord. 424 § 1, 2014)
Step 1: Appeal Removal of City Tree to Public Works and Traffic Commission: $100 (Administrative) plus $120 (Public Notice) and any outside costs.
Step 2 (if necessary): Appeal Removal of City Tree to City Manager: $100 (Administrative) plus $120 (Public Notice) and any outside costs.
Step 3 (if necessary): Appeal Removal of City Tree to City Council: $100 (Administrative) plus $120 (Public Notice) and any outside costs.
