Report Potholes & Encroachment Permits - San Leandro

Transportation California 4 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026 Flag of California

San Leandro, California maintains public streets and rights-of-way through the City Public Works and Engineering divisions. This guide explains how residents and contractors can report potholes, request an encroachment permit for work in or over the public right-of-way, and what to expect from enforcement and appeals. It summarizes required actions, typical forms and fees, timelines, and official contacts so you can act quickly and follow city rules.

Penalties & Enforcement

Both pothole reporting and encroachment permitting are enforced by the City of San Leandro Public Works Department and the Engineering Division, with code and civil enforcement supported by Community Development / Code Enforcement when violations affect public safety. For reporting a roadway hazard use the City's reporting tool or contact Public Works directly [1]. For encroachment permits and rules, apply through Engineering [2].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; specific monetary penalties for unpermitted encroachments or continuing violations are not listed on the linked pages and are enforced per City code or permit terms.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence procedures are not specified on the cited pages; the City may issue notices, stop-work orders, or fines under relevant code provisions.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: possible actions include stop-work orders, mandatory restoration, permit revocation, and referral to Code Enforcement or the City Attorney for civil action.
  • Enforcer and inspection: Public Works/Engineering inspects street and right-of-way work; Code Enforcement handles related violations. Use the official reporting and permit pages for complaints and inspection requests [1][2].
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited pages; appeals typically follow procedures in the City code or permit decision notices.
Unpermitted work in the public right-of-way can trigger stop-work orders and restoration requirements.

Applications & Forms

To report a pothole, use the City Public Works reporting tool or phone the department; no special application is required to report maintenance needs [1]. To perform work in the public right-of-way you must obtain an encroachment permit from Engineering; the permit application, instructions, and fee schedule are available on the City Engineering pages [2].

  • Reporting potholes: online report or phone — no long form required; the Public Works reporting page lists submission methods and expected response steps [1].
  • Encroachment permit application: "Encroachment Permit" application found on the Engineering page; fee amounts and any bonds or insurance requirements are provided with the application materials and may vary by project [2].
  • Fees and bonds: the cited pages instruct applicants to consult the fee schedule; specific dollar amounts are not specified on those pages.
Confirm required insurance, bonds, and traffic control requirements with Engineering before starting work.

How to Report a Pothole

Report hazardous roadway conditions promptly so the City can schedule repairs and reduce risk to drivers. Include location, nearest address or intersection, lane information, and whether the defect is blocking traffic.

  • Provide the exact location and photos when possible.
  • Use the Public Works reporting tool or phone for urgent hazards [1].
Photos with a visible landmark speed up field crew response.

How to Request an Encroachment Permit

Apply before starting any work that installs, modifies, or occupies the public right-of-way, including driveways, sidewalks, temporary construction staging, utility work, and private landscaping that extends into the public area.

  • Prepare plans, traffic control, insurance, and bonding as required by the permit instructions [2].
  • Submit the completed application and attachments to Engineering via the methods listed on the permit page.
  • Allow time for review and inspection scheduling; timelines depend on project scope and submittal completeness.

FAQ

How do I report a pothole in San Leandro?
Use the City Public Works online reporting tool or call Public Works; include location, photos, and any safety concerns for faster response. [1]
Do I need a permit to work on or over the sidewalk or street?
Yes. Most work in the public right-of-way requires an encroachment permit from Engineering; check the permit page for application steps and required documents. [2]
What if someone does unpermitted work?
Report suspected unpermitted work to Code Enforcement or Public Works; the City may issue stop-work orders, require restoration, or impose penalties per applicable code provisions.

How-To

  1. Identify the exact location and take photos of the pothole or proposed encroachment area.
  2. For potholes, submit a report via the Public Works reporting page or call the department [1].
  3. For encroachment work, download the Encroachment Permit application, assemble required attachments, and submit to Engineering [2].
  4. Schedule inspections as directed and comply with permit conditions, including traffic control and restoration.

Key Takeaways

  • Report potholes immediately with location and photos to speed repairs.
  • Obtain an encroachment permit before any work in the public right-of-way to avoid stop-work orders and restoration mandates.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of San Leandro - Public Works pothole reporting page
  2. [2] City of San Leandro - Engineering encroachment permits page

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