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Roads & Fleet Services
There's so much riding on Humboldt County Roads.
Our commerce, our school kids, our emergency responders and tourism all require safe travel throughout the county. Humboldt County Public Works - Roads & Equipment Maintenance Division is tasked with providing this service in an ever-changing and shifting landscape.
Responsibilities of the Roads Division
Challenged with meeting the unique needs of safe travel in Humboldt County, the Roads Division is made up of 11 work crews, responsible for specific areas and duties throughout the county. The Roads division helps provide safe roads and performs routine maintenance for all county roads and bridges. The division also provides critical disaster response services during storms and other emergency events.
Fleet Services Responsibilities
The Fleet Services Division has two sections, Heavy Equipment and Motor Pool. Fleet Services provides competitive procurement, maintenance and disposal of road construction equipment to ensure safe operating equipment. The Heavy Equipment maintenance garage maintains 120 pieces of heavy equipment, plus approximately 100 pieces of support equipment, primarily serving the Road Maintenance Division. The heavy equipment shop also manages a storehouse of parts.
Motor Pool oversees a fleet of 400+ vehicles that are used by County employees for official county business. Motor pool is responsible for transitioning the fleet to zero emissions.
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Road Maintenance Requests
Submit a Request for Service/Report a Pothole
ADA Access Service Request for County Maintained Roads
Do you need to report an accessibility problem with a county-maintained road? Please fill out the ADA Access Service Request for County Maintained Roads Form to submit a request electronically or call the Road Maintenance Division at 707-445-7421.
If the problem is related to road maintenance (such as reporting a pothole) and not ADA accessibility, use the Request for Service on County Maintained Roads Form.
While Public Works is responsible for the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices, enforcement of traffic laws are provided by local law enforcement agencies. Below are links to commonly referenced code sections relating to the use of county roads.
Traffic control devices such as signs, lane striping, pavement markings, and curb painting are installed in conformance with the California Manual of Traffic Control Devices. If you believe that a sign, striping, or curb marking is not properly installed or is confusing, please notify the roads dispatcher.
- Basic speed law (California Vehicle Code Section 22350)
- 25 MPH Business District (California Vehicle Code Sections 22352(b)(1) and 235)
- 25 MPH Residence District (California Vehicle Code Sections 22352(b)(1) and 515). Note: As a general rule of thumb, this typically applies when the lots are less than 100 feet wide for the one side of the road condition; and when the lots are less than 165 feet wide for the both sides of the road condition. This assumes that all there is an average of at least one dwelling unit per lot for a quarter mile of road.
- Enforcement of the California Vehicle Code on non-county maintained roads (County Code Section 423-1 et seq.) Petition (Also see Private Roads)
- Speed Zones established by County Code
- Resource: California Manual for Setting Speed Limits (Caltrans)
- Resource: Humboldt County Speed Hump Policy
On-street parking is provided on some county maintained roads. On-street parking is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis and is available to the public, subject to the limitations described below. As such, no one can "reserve" an on street parking spot or claim exclusive rights to the parking lane in front of their home. In addition, on-street parking is one of the lowest priority uses of the right of way and may be eliminated in the future to better utilize the right of way for transportation uses, which is a higher priority use than the parking of vehicles.
Parking may be temporarily prohibited by law enforcement or due to road construction.
Questions about insufficient on-street parking? See County Code Sections 313-109.1.1.2 (Coastal Zoning) and 314-109.1.1.2 (Inland Zoning) which requires that all land uses to provide sufficient off-street parking, regardless of the minimum parking required in the County Zoning Code. Contact the Planning & Building Department at 707-445-7541.
Got a ticket? If you received a parking ticket and believe that the road was not adequately posted with signs and/or painted curbs, please notify the roads dispatcher so that Public Works can verify that the parking restrictions are properly posted to the specifications of the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. This will help ensure that the public is being adequately notified of the parking restrictions; as no one likes to park on the road in a location where they believe that parking is allowed and then learn about a parking restriction from receiving a parking ticket. It is important to note that the CVC contains universal no parking restrictions, such as (but not limited to) parking near a fire hydrant or a cross walk. These locations do not need to be signed or have the curbs painted in order to be enforced. It is the responsibility of the public to know the CVC, as ignorance of the law is no excuse.
- Parking Zones established by County Code
- Parking in excess of 10 days (County Code Section 434-5)
- Removal of vehicles parked in excess of 10 days (County Code Section 434-6)
- Parking of non-operative vehicles (junk) on private and public property (excluding highways) is prohibited; except if completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property; and except on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer, or junk yard (County Code Sections 354-1 et seq "Regulation and Removal of Junk Vehicles") Contact County Code Enforcement for more information.
- Double parking/ parking in the travelled way (County Code Section 431-1(b) )
- Towing of vehicles parked in excess of 10 days (County Code Section 434-6)
- Not parking parallel to the road unless otherwise allowed (California Vehicle Code Section 22502(a) and 22503)
- Parking parallel, but facing the wrong direction (California Vehicle Code Section 22502(b)(2) )
- Parking more than 18” from curb (California Vehicle Code Section 22500(f) )
- Parking that obstructs traffic (California Vehicle Code Section 22500(g) and 22651(b) )
- Parking that obstructs the use of a sidewalk (California Vehicle Code Section 22500(f) ) Parking in a driveway is not illegal. However, parking a vehicle in a driveway in such a manner where a portion of the vehicle obstructs the sidewalk is illegal.
- Note that newer driveway aprons have a sidewalk area behind the sloped driveway apron to provide an accessible path of travel (ADA). Parking that obstructs this sidewalk is illegal.
- Note that driveways have various lengths and that some vehicles will not fit in some driveways. This should be taken into consideration prior to purchasing a vehicle or purchasing a home.
- Parking that obstructs the use of a bike lane (California Vehicle Code Section 21211)
- Parking that obstructs the use of a curb ramp (California Vehicle Code Section 22500(l) and 22522)
- Parking that obstructs the use of a driveway (California Vehicle Code 22500(e) )
- Parking that blocks an intersection (California Vehicle Code Section 22500(a) )
- Parking that obstructs a crosswalk (California Vehicle Code Section 22500(b) )
- Parking within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present. (California Vehicle Code Section 22500(n) ) Note that curbs adjacent to marked and unmarked crosswalks are not typically painted red. Law enforcement does not require red curb or no parking signs in order to issue a valid citation.
- Double parking (California Vehicle Code Section 22500(h) )
- Parking within 15 feet fire hydrant (California Vehicle Code Section 22514). Note that curbs in front of fire hydrants are not typically painted red. Law enforcement does not require red curb or no parking signs in order to issue a valid citation.
- Disobey parking signs or red curbs (California Vehicle Code Section 38300)
In most cases the county does not provide on-street accessible (ADA) parking stalls on county maintained roads. If an on-street accessible stall is desired on a county maintained road, an applicant is required to obtain an Encroachment Permit from Public Works and construct the stall at their own expense. An accessible parking stall requires that the Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance to establish the zone (See County Code Section 431-2). In addition, the applicant must justify why the accessible parking stall cannot be provided on-site per County Code 313-109.1.1.2 (coastal) or County Code 314-109.1.1.2 (inland) and must instead be constructed on the public street. Contact the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205 for more information.
- Trashcans or other objects blocking the sidewalk. (California Streets & Highways Code Sections 1480.5 and 1481). Report possible violations to the Land Use Division at 707.445.7205 or online by using the Request for Service/Report a Pothole form.
- Damaged sidewalk. Report damaged sidewalk to the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205 or online by using the Request for Service/Report a Pothole form. The fronting landowner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of sidewalks. See Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 21-39 adopted on 04/20/2021 (Item D11).
- Portable basketball hoops. Report possible violations to the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205 or online by using the Request for Service/Report a Pothole form.
- Parked bicycles blocking the sidewalk. (California Vehicle Code Section 21210)
- Bicyclists rights (California Vehicle Code Section 21200)
- Bicycling under the influence (California Vehicle Code Section 21200.5)
- Required bike equipment (California Vehicle Code Section 21201, 21201.5, and 21212)
- Blocking class 1 bike paths (California Vehicle Code Section 21211)
- Parked bikes blocking the sidewalk. (California Vehicle Code Section 21210)
- Prohibition of Motor vehicles in Bike Lanes and exceptions (California Vehicle Code Section 21209)
- Bikes required to use designated Bike Lanes and exceptions (California Vehicle Code Section 21208)
- Authority for the County to establish Bike Lanes (California Vehicle Code Section 21207)
- Bike riding (California Vehicle Code Section 21202, 21204, 21203, 21205)
- Authority for the County to regulate bikes (California Vehicle Code Section 21206)
- Authority for the County to regulate motorized bikes (California Vehicle Code Section 21207.5)
- Where a Class II bike lane (bike way) is present, a bicyclist must ride in it in accordance to CVC 21208.
- Vehicles allowed to merge into bike lanes to turn CVC 21717
Also see Bike Routes webpage.
- Oversize and/or over weight loads. Obtain a Transportation Permit from the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205
- Weight Limits for Scotia Mill Pond Bridge on Bridge Street (County Code Section 433-1)
- Weight Limits for North Fork of Bear Creek on Kings Peak Road (County Code Section 433-3)
- Weight Limits for Viaduct Bridge on Ishi Pishi Road (County Code Section 433-2)
- Weight Limits on Salmon Creek Bridge on Maple Hills Road (County Code Section 433-4)
- Weight Limits on Moody Bridge on Sprowel Creek Road (County Code Section 433-5)
- Weight Limits on Bridge on North Fork Road (County Code Section 433-6)
- Weight Limits on Jacoby Creek Bridge on Brookwood Drive (County Code Section 433-8)
- Length and width restrictions on Davison Road (County Code Section 414-1)
- Length and width restrictions on South Dobyn Creek Bridge on Zenia Bluff Road (County Code Section 414-3)
- Mad River Bridge on Hatchery Road (County Code Section 434-1)
- Mad River Bridge on Jack Shaw Road (County Code Section 434-4)
- Humboldt Hill Road Multipurpose Path (County Code Section 434-2)
- Establishment of Bicycle Lanes (County Code Section 435-3)
- Prohibition of bicycles and skateboards on sidewalks in commercial zones (County Code Section 417-1)
- Prohibition of studded tires and tracks (County Code Section 413-1)
- Use of Golf Carts on Lake Benbow Drive and Benbow Drive (County Code Section 418-1)
- Trespassing (climbing) on portions of bridges not intended for public use (County Code Section 416-1)
- Visibility Ordinance (County Code Section 341-1) Applies only to the County Maintained Road System.
- Report possible violations to the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205 or online by using the Request for Service/Report a Pothole form.
- Encroachment Permit Ordinance (County Code Section 411-1) Report possible violations to the Land Use Division at 707.445.7205 or online by using the Request for Service/Report a Pothole form.
- Unauthorized traffic control device (California Vehicle Code Section 21465). This includes No Trespassing signs, No Parking signs, and traffic cones that are placed in such a manner as to discourage the public from using a road. Report possible violations to the Land Use Division at 707.445.7205 or online by using the Request for Service/Report a Pothole form.
- Election signs in the public right of way. Contact the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205.
- Gates across County maintained roads. Contact the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205.
- Fences in the public right of way. Contact the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205.
- Vegetation/mowing. Mowing of vegetation within the right of way is only provided in select rural areas. In all other areas it is the responsibility of the fronting landowner. Report overgrown vegetation to the Road Maintenance Division at 707-445-7421 or online by using the Request for Service/Report a Pothole form.
- Street Tree Preservation Policy. Contact the Land Use Division at 707-445-7205.
California Vehicle Code Section 21100 provides broad authority for Cities and Counties to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution regarding all of the following matters:
- Regulating or prohibiting processions/assemblages on the highways.
- Licensing and regulating the operation of vehicles for hire and their drivers.
- Regulating traffic by means of traffic officers or others.
- Regulating traffic by means of official traffic control devices.
- Regulating traffic at the site of road construction.
- Licensing and regulating the operation of tow truck providers and drivers.
- Operation of bicycles and electric carts on public sidewalks.
- Providing for the appointment of school crossing guards in the vicinity of a school.
- Regulating the placement of garbage cans in the road.
- Regulating cruising.
- Authorizing the removal by law enforcement officers of vehicles unlawfully parked in a fire lane on private property.
- Regulating mobile billboard advertising displays.
- Licensing and regulating the operation of pedicabs for hire.
- Regulating advertising signs on motor vehicles parked or left standing upon a public street.
Broken Links
Many of the links on this webpage are to external websites. Please report broken links on this webpage to RoadsDispatch@co.humboldt.ca.us.Thank you for helping to keep this page up to date and accurate.