Engineering/Environmental Services

Permits Section

Applications for the permits listed below are available at the Public Works Counter located at 333 East Olive Avenue.  Forms can also be printed out from the Online Counter link below.

PUBLIC WORKS ONLINE COUNTER

Address Assignment Permits are issued to add, delete, or change existing addresses (BMC Chapter 26, Article 9). Address Assignment Permits are routed through the Community Development Department for Building Division and Planning Division approval and may be routed through the Fire and Police Departments if public safety could be affected by the change.

Cost: $35.00 first address/unit; $10 each additional address/unit.

The City allows the placement of banners across the intersections of Olive and Alameda, Olive and Victory, and Magnolia and Hollywood Way for two weeks (BMC Chapter 26, Article 6). Community organizations and businesses must obtain a Banner Permit to place banners at these locations, and banners must meet certain specifications set by the City. Events advertised must pertain to a public charity or benefit, be of a general public or civic nature, or be community service events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The intersections are usually booked a year in advance.

Cost: $125.00 per installation.

Temporary and long-term Encroachment Permits are issued to allow the use of City-owned right of way (BMC Chapter 26, Article 7). Example uses of City owned right of way include sidewalk outside dining, parkway improvement, and placement of fiber optic cables in City right of way. In addition to completing the permit application form, applicants must meet the City’s insurance requirements for Public Works permits.

Cost: Varies according to type of encroachment. Some encroachments require an excavation (contact Public Works Department for more information). Fees are specified in the Burbank Fee Resolution as amended periodically by the City Council.

Excavation Permits are issued for construction projects requiring excavation, trenching or any type of digging in the City right of way (BMC Chapter 13, Article 2). Construction projects on private property must obtain a Building Permit from the Community Development Department Building Division.

Excavation Permits may require routing to additional departments for approval depending on the project size and scope. Generally, construction projects with plans and construction projects of any size that do not conform to construction standards require routing. Small improvements without plans that conform to building standards do not require routing.

In addition to completing the permit application form, applicants must meet the City’s insurance requirements for Public Works permits.

Cost: $50 for permit. $58/hour for inspection. Minimum $500 refundable deposit is required to cover the cost of inspection and other incidental expenses and to guarantee restoration of the street to as good and perfect condition as it was before the work began (BMC Chapter 13, Article 2, Section 6). The deposit increases in proportion to the construction project size. Plan check fee $50.00 per sheet.

Open House Sign permits are issued for temporary real estate open house signs.  The placement of these signs in Public Rights-of-Way require permits and are regulated by section 20-402.2 of the Burbank Municipal Code. 

To obtain the permit, applicants must meet the City’s insurance requirements for Public Works permits.

Cost: $12 for permit including a pair of decals to be displayed on each sign,  $12 for each additional pair of decals.  Permits are issued on an annual basis with a term from July 1 to June 30.

Industrial Waste Permits are issued to sewer customers discharging industrial waste as part of the City’s wastewater pretreatment program. These customers are classified according to amount of waste discharged, strength of flow, and type of businesses (BMC Chapter 25, Article 5).

Cost: $50.33 application fee; costs for annual inspections, follow-up/enforcement inspections and delinquency charges vary according to class. Fees are specified in the Burbank Fee Resolution as periodically amended by the City Council.

Newsrack Permits allow newspapers to locate newsracks within the City of Burbank (BMC Chapter 20, Article 10). These permits help the City regulate maintenance and location standards.

Cost: $40 for initial registration; $10 for annual registration renewal.

The Public Works Traffic Division issues three types of Parking Permits: residential, preferential and monthly permits for public parking lots (BMC Chapter 29, Article 10).

Cost: No charge for residential or preferential Parking Permits; $40/month for each monthly permit.

Sewer Connection Permits are issued for construction of sewer connections from private property to sewer main lines (BMC Chapter 25, Article 3). Please see the Water Reclamation and Sewer Section website for additional information.

Cost: $61.50 application fee plus 100% of the cost to construct the commercial connection.

Street Use Permits are issued to allow the complete or partial closure of sidewalks or streets for specific, short-term purposes (BMC Chapter 29, Articles 17 and 23). Street uses include temporary placement of rolloff bins, placement of cranes, special events, house moving, roofing, painting, and sign installation. Rolloff bin permits are valid for 14 days; all other street use permits are valid for 5 days, Monday through Friday, except in special circumstances evaluated on a case by case basis. Depending on the street use requested, the permit may require traffic control plans. Permits requiring traffic control plans are generally routed through the Traffic Division for approval.

To obtain the permit, applicants must meet the City’s insurance requirements for Public Works permits.

Cost: $50 for permit.  $58/hour for inspection. A refundable deposit may be required for some street use permits.

Transportation Permits are issued for the transportation of oversized loads in the City (BMC Chapter 29, Article 25).

Cost: $20 for one trip/day, $1 faxing fee; $2 for each additional day. $100 for annual permit. $20 for one escorted trip/day; $300 for escorted trip inspection as needed.

Water Discharge Permits are issued to residents/businesses who wish to drain their swimming pool and discharge the water into the street gutter or alley (BMC Chapter 25, Article 6). Water Discharge Permits are routed through Public Works Department Engineering, Traffic and Field Services Divisions for approval. The permit allows the City to regulate discharge into the storm drain system and ensure that the City complies with federal storm drain laws.

Cost: $28