Development Engineering

The Development Engineering Division:

performs plan reviews and inspections to verify that site work, grading, and drainage systems are built in compliance with applicable codes and laws, rendering them safe and accessible upon completion of construction.
calculates development impact fees for development projects.
provides assistance to the City Engineer in implementing floodplain management.
issues Encroachment Permits for activities in the public right of way.
coordinates with applicants to assign or modify site addressing.
provides development-related implementation and enforcement of NPDES storm water permit requirements.
manages the Street Vendor Program.

For information on the current service fees see the City Wide Fee Schedule (FY22-23).

Encroachment Permits

The City of Salinas requires anyone working in the City right-of-way to apply for an encroachment permit before starting work.

Encroachment Permit Application - April 2020
Encroachment Permit Submittal Checklist - 2020
Permanent Encroachments (Awnings, Steps, etc)
Municipal Code Article V Encroachments
Small Cell Reservation Flowchart
Temporary Signs and Banners Terms and Conditions - 2020
Sidewalk Schedule - 2020
50/50 Sidewalk Program
For additional information on the 50/50 Sidewalk Repair Program, please visit Public Works Maintenance Service page and view Street Maintenance.

Interested in creating an outdoor eating experience for your clientele. Our Sidewalk Cafe program can help you.

Grading and Drainage Permits

Any project moving 50 cubic yards of soil, whether import, export, cut or fill, is required to obtain a grading permit.

Grading and Drainage Permit Application

Development Impact Fees

Every person who constructs buildings shall pay a development fee in accordance with the adopted resolution by the City Council. The attached worksheets were prepared to assist developers in estimating their development fees.

ADU Development Impact Fee Worksheet
Commercial Development Fee Worksheet
Residential Development Impact Fee Worksheet (contact [email protected])

To determine City trip rates, please refer to Table V of the Traffic Improvement Program (2010).

FEMA Updates Flood Maps

May 12, 2022

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delivered preliminary flood maps for parts of Monterey County. The maps identify revised flood hazards along the Salinas River, Gonzales Slough, Natividad Creek and unnamed tributaries. Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) become effective, there is a 90-day appeal period from May 12 to August 10, 2022. During that time, public agencies, residents or businesses with supporting technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, can appeal the flood risk information on the preliminary maps, which can be viewed at fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata...

Find Out More

Updated Vendor Ordinance in Effect

October 22, 2021

Development Engineering staff has begun processing food vendor permits to new vendors interested in operating a food truck. This will allow prospective vendors who have waited years for the Street Vendor Program to open up to expand their business. Soon patrons will have a greater variety of food truck options.

Find Out More

Flood Preparedness Week

image of Post Dr with City maintenance truck sitting in flood waters.

October 14, 2021

OCTOBER 23-30 IS FLOOD PREPAREDNESS WEEK

It is crucial for you to prepare for flooding by following three basic steps:

Be aware of your risk: Know whether your home is in a flood zone; pay attention to weather forecasts; and listen to local authorities.
Be prepared: Always have an emergency evacuation kit ready; be prepared to evacuate early; have a household inventory with copies of critical documents; and have a plan for where you will go in an emergency and what to do with your pets.

Find Out More

Stormwater Quality (SWQ) Permit

Any project adding or replacing 2500 SF of impervious (building, concrete, pavement, etc.) surface must obtain a stormwater quality permit. Applicants must arrange a pre-application meeting with the City of Salinas Development Engineering Section (831-758-7251 option 2) prior to submitting formal applications for permits, to obtain a preliminary project review. This process is mandated by the City of Salinas NPDES Permit to ensure all projects have been designed in accordance with the City of Salinas Stormwater Development Standards (SWDS) and incorporate Low Impact Development features and utilize Construction and Post-Construction Best Management Practices in compliance with the SWDS.

The Central Coast Waterboard has updated the City of Salinas NPDES Permit requirements. Please see attached document for further information on updated permit and review the document titled "Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements" for additional specifications.

NPDES Permit Requirments Order R3-2019-0073
Stormwater Development Standards- Downloadable Documents

Contact Permit Center Engineering at (831)758-7251 (option 2) for native format files

Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements (2019)

Salinas Stormwater Development Standards

Threshold Determination Worksheet.xlsx (2022)

Salinas Hydrology Model

Hydrologic Soil Groups

Hourly Precipitation Data

Rainfall Percentile Depth

Common Pollutants

Stormwater & NPDES Compliance Fee Schedule
Stormwater Standard Plans (SWSP)

Stormwater Standard Plans were prepared by the Salinas Permit Center, Community and Economic Development, and Public Works Departments, based on the Low Impact Development Initiative (LIDI) Standard Details, and City of Portland Stormwater Management Manual Typical Details. They are to be used in conjunction with the latest edition of the City of Salinas Stormwater Development Standards (SWDS) and the latest edition of the City of Salinas Standard Specifications, Design Standards, and Standard Plans.

Designers must consult with their project geotechnical and civil engineer for review and use of these Standard Plans, clearances to structures, need for/extent of liners, subdrains, storm drain connections and similar appurtenances. Regardless of site infiltration rate, all projects will be required to filter stormwater on site using biofiltration methods (Post-Construction Best Management Practices or PCBMPs), with infiltration through underlying soils being the preferred method. Every effort shall be made, to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP), to infiltrate stormwater on site unless alternative means are approved in accordance with the City’s NPDES Permit requirements.

PDFs of signed SWSPs should be used for plan submittal.

Note: All .dwg files are AutoCAD and need to be opened with AutoCAD to be accessible.

Final Executed SWSPs

Stormwater Standard Plans 1A-1F.dwg

Stormwater Standard Plans 10-18.dwg

Stormwater Standard Plans 22-26.dwg

Stormwater Standard Plans 27-30.dwg

Stormwater Standard Plans 31A-50.dwg

Stormwater Standard Plans 100-150.dwg
NPDES Compliance

Every construction project regardless of size or scope is required to follow the EPA's water pollution regulations. The following are helpful Best Management Practice (BMP) brochures and checklists that can be used to aid you in the construction of your project. Project that disturb an acre of land or more are required to obtain a Construction General Permit through the California Water Resources Control Board.

Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Checklist

Subwatershed Map

EPA R-Factor Guide (2020)

Caltrans Construction BMP Fact Sheets

BMP Brochures:

Fresh Concrete & Mortar Application

General Construction & Site Supervision

General NPDES

Heavy Equipment & Earthmoving Activities

Home Repair & Remodeling

Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

Landscaping, Gardening, & Pest Control

Painting

Replacing Lawns & Pools & Reconstructing Landscaping

Roadwork & Paving