Engineering Division

The Engineering Division is the City’s liaison with Kern COG and Caltrans.

Responsibilities

The Division is responsible for the technical side of development within the City such as plan review, inspection and the issuance of encroachment permits. The Division is also responsible for the following:

  • Bid specification preparation
  • Budgeting
  • Construction of the City’s Public Works projects
  • Design
  • Pavement Management
  • Planning

CIP Projects

Anyone can keep track of the City’s Public Works projects by reviewing the following Project Dashboard.

If you have questions about individual projects listed in the Dashboard, please email Public Works Director, Travis Reed.

Engineering Standards

View the City’s Engineer Design Standards (PDF).

Street Moratoriums

The City of Ridgecrest places cutting/digging moratoriums on any street that has been constructed, reconstructed, or preventively maintained. Moratoriums are valid for five years after the completion of street construction or renovation. There are strict terms and conditions for cuts made to streets with a moratorium in place. The Moratorium Street List and Moratorium Street Map are updated as projects are complete. Last updated 08/2025. Be sure to check the list on a regular basis or before submitting the application for a street construction Permit. 

Inspection of Southern California Edison’s Work within the City’s Right of WayReconstruction of Ridgecrest Boulevard 2014

Development & Encroachment Permits

The Engineering Division is responsible for the technical side of development within the City. This includes plan review and inspection for both commercial and residential development as well as the issuance of encroachment permits and the inspection of all work done within the City’s Right of Way.

If you are pulling an encroachment permit for the City of Ridgecrest you will be required to have:

  • Business License (can be retrieved on the website through Finance)
  • Construction Plan
  • Liability Insurance
  • Traffic Control Plan

Encroachment Permits

  1. Encroachment Permit Application and Conditions (Fillable .PDF) - Last Updated September 2025
  2. Application Permit for Grading 2019 (PDF)
  3. Grading Inspection Report 2018 (PDF)