Are there any restrictions on what can be done on our road?

One requirement of formation is that offers of dedication or easements be granted to the County. Once completed, this action establishes the road as a public road covered by the conditions and stipulations of the California Vehicle Code (CVC).

Stipulations include:

  • Access to the road cannot be restricted (no gates or any other barriers).
  • Signage is limited to guide/directional signs (no regulatory signs, such as speed limit signs), unless approved by the Board of Supervisors.
  • No obstructions may be placed on or under the surface of the roadway which will impede the speed of the vehicles in such a way as to cause discomfort or harm to persons in a vehicle (such as speed bumps, speed dips or undulations), however, rumble strips and delineators are permitted.
  • All road work must be completed by licensed, bonded contractors who comply with prevailing wage standards. All work under $125,000 is governed by the Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Procedures Ordinance and by Public Works contract law. Work projects will be put out for public bid and award made to the qualified low bidder. All work under $30,000 may be performed by County forces.

The road zone of benefit is required to contribute to the County's liability insurance policy.

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1. I live on a private road that needs to be maintained. The neighbors don't agree on what needs to be done or how much each of us should pay; what can be done?
2. What is a zone of benefit?
3. What are the costs associated with forming a road zone of benefit? Are there other fees required once the zone is established?
4. If some people don't support the formation, can they prevent the zone forming?
5. Who sets and approves our per parcel fee?
6. If a vote is conducted for a benefit assessment and an individual has four contiguous parcels, are they entitled to four votes?
7. If a benefit zone is formed, will the road in the zone be subject to the same regulations that the Streets and Highways Code provides for County-maintained roads?
8. If there are two components to the assessments, capital improvements and maintenance, and the assessment for maintenance is dependent upon whether the parcel is developed?
9. How is approval calculated in a benefit assessment election?
10. Who determines what work needs to be done? Who pays for these services?
11. Are we required to bring our road up to any particular standards? Is there a requirement as to the level of maintenance and/or improvements we must provide?
12. What happens to the money collected from a zone of benefit?
13. What happens to our money if we don't use it all during the year?
14. Can an existing Road Association still levy charges for private road maintenance after a zone of benefit is formed for road maintenance purposes?
15. What about back assessments owed to a Homeowners Association?
16. Are there any restrictions on what can be done on our road?
17. Once a road zone of benefit is established, can it be dissolved?
18. Will an existing Homeowners Association be eliminated when a zone of benefit for road maintenance is formed?
19. Is one of the benefits of being included in a zone of benefit being included in the County self-insurance program?
20. If the design of a road is alleged or proven as casual or contributory to an accident will this type of liability be covered by the County's self-insurance program?
21. Are there any programs available for senior citizens where they can defer their annual payments associated with the CSA?
22. Why were some private roads built to County standards and others were not and since we are already paying taxes for roads, why do we need to pay another tax to maintain our road?