Road Maintenance Improvement Zone Formation Procedures

A road improvement zone is formed when a group of residents choose an area of the County to have improved or maintained roads.  They must submit a request for an improvement zone to the Special Districts Department indicating 1) the type of services desired (grading, paving, snowplowing etc.); 2) the roads to be maintained; 3) a list of the property owners in the proposed area (if the information is available); and 4) a map of the proposed area.  The Special Districts Department will provide the group with a cost estimate for the proposed project, the maximum cost per Assessor’s Parcel Number and the funds required to conduct a feasibility study which must be paid in advance by the group.  Additionally, a mailed ballot proceeding must be successful in order to place the charge on the property tax bill.  A successful mailed ballot would consist of either 2/3 of the registered voters or a majority (50%+) of property owners returning yes ballots in favor of the proposed per parcel charge.  Each step of the formation process is outlined below.

1)            Proponents provide to the Special Districts Department:

• Petition from property owners requesting assistance from Special Districts

• Map of proposed boundaries

• Description of services or improvements desired

• Roads to be maintained, including length and width of road

 2)            Special Districts Department will then:

• Determine cost of services/improvements and request payment by property owners to process the formation.  These costs include survey costs and project management costs.

• Determine the annual cost to all property owners after district formation

• Conduct property owner survey to determine if property owners wish to form a road maintenance   improvement zone and if they will support a service charge or special tax

• Meet with property owners during survey period (if needed)

 3a)      If survey results are negative

• Inform proponents

• Take no further action

 3b)      If survey results are positive

• Inform proponents

• Determine if a mailed ballot proceeding will have a strong chance of passing

• Conduct a public hearing to form improvement zone and call for a mailed ballot proceeding for a service charge or special tax

• Conduct proceeding

 4a)      If mailed ballot proceeding fails

• Inform proponents

• Take no further action

 4b)      If mailed ballot proceeding passes

• Inform proponents

• At a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors recommends forming a district and imposing a special tax or service charge

• File all necessary papers and maps with County and State offices

• Auditor/Controller places the charge on the following year’s tax roll

 The total time necessary to form an improvement zone is 5 months to 1 year depending on the complexity of the proposal and time of year the improvement zone is formed. The funds cannot be placed on the property tax bill unless the district is formed prior to the beginning of August each year.

 The work within the newly formed road maintenance improvement zone will begin when property service charge/tax revenue is received – generally in December of each year.

The deposit is required in order to proceed with the formation of the district.  This deposit must cover the cost of conducting the survey and project management time to determine the cost and scope of project.  If the survey indicates strong support for the project, the mailed ballot cost, environmental fee, maps & legal description as well as the State Board of Equalization fee may be repaid at the time the district is formed.

Please contact Pamela Vandervoort, Special Districts Department at (909) 387-6067 or email her if you have any questions or require additional information.

Sample Petition

Road Permits for District Roads

Permits are required on all district roads in the following circumstances: 

            A new service for a utility is being connected (click here for form) * 

            A mainline for a utility is being extended (click here for form) *

            An encroachment is being made onto a district road (click here for form). *        

 -The San Bernardino County General Permit and Trench Specifications must be followed whenever engaging in any of these activities.  To view the trenching specifications, please click here.

-There are applicaton and inspection fees each time a permit is requested.  To view the permit fees, please click here.

To apply for a permit or if you have any questions, the permit coordinator for Special Districts is  Pamela Vandervoort, Staff Analyst II. She can be reached at (909) 387-6067 or through email.

If you are a utility company you may qualify for an annual permit for new service connections.  For further information, please contact Pamela Vandervoort at (909) 387-6067 or through email.   

For additional requirements for franchise information, please contact through email.

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