Because of recent desert storms and the environmental concerns of several property owners in various road districts, it is necessary to establish road maintenance policies in our desert areas.  There are several road districts that have dust control standards that need to be met.  There are other districts that have problems relating to the grading of roads, such as continual lowering of roadways by grading, narrowing of roadways by continual grading, and the blocking of water crossings and drainage by allowing berms to be placed in drainage courses. 

Grading of Roads:  Every effort shall be taken to keep roadways in as good of condition as possible, depending on district budgets.  Road materials shall be bladed as necessary to keep a constant road elevation.  Road boundaries for each road will be no more than five (5) feet beyond the existing berms.  Intersections will be maintained and graded to allow good access.  No shortcuts will be graded.  Driveways will be kept open and passable.

Dragging of Roads:  Most districts have or have access to road brooms or brushes.  Dragging will be done on an as-needed basis by district personnel or district contractors.  Drag speed will be kept to ten (10) miles per hour to keep dust levels at a minimum.

Drainage Courses:  Drainage courses will be maintained and kept open at all times to protect roadways and private property.  This includes both the uphill and downhill side of the roads.  No drainage will be left blocked for more than two (2) days following a road being graded.

Dust Control:  Dust Control should be the first consideration in the grading or dragging of district roads.  The California AQMD has mandated that we 1) Control vehicle speed on district roads; 2)  To not grade when the winds are ten (10) mph or greater; and 3) To seek alternatives to dust control.  Although these mandates only affect CSA 70-M and certain portions of CSA 70 R-19, it is only a matter of time before other districts and/or roads will be affected by these mandates.  At this time, we should not expend any more energy than necessary in dust control products.  The reasons are as follows:  1)  Limited district budgets; 2)  There are many different soil types in our districts.  Topical applications are not feasible unless districts are financially able to continue with a regularly scheduled application program.  Road stabilization using these products will work, but only if the roads are lowered at least six (6) inches, stabilizer product are thoroughly mixed with the road soils, bladed back to the original elevation and compacted and rolled.

Water Use for Road Maintenance:  Should be used only where necessary to keep dust at a reasonable level.  If there is enough rain to warrant it, every effort should be made to get district roads graded to an acceptable level.

Snow Removal Procedures

The San Bernardino County Special Districts Department wants to make sure you enjoy this snow season with the least amount of inconvenience.  Therefore in order to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public and property owners who use our roads, we have prepared these snow removal procedures. Please see our road district section to determine if you are in a Special Districts road improvement zone.

Snow removal activation.

When the snow reaches a depth of 3 inches, plows are activated, as needed, for efficient snow removal on Special Districts Maintained Roads.  Depending on snow accumulation, two, three, or more passes will be needed to widen roadways, open drainages, and if necessary, provide off-road parking so that roads will not be blocked by abandoned vehicles.  Primary Removal Routes are considered open if 4 x 4 vehicles with tire chains can negotiate them.

Do not park your vehicle where it will interfere with snow removal operations.  

Mountain residents need to be aware that during the snow season there is an Ordinance in effect (S.D. 85-14) which allows for removal of any vehicle, at the owner’s expense, that is parked or left in any manner which interferes with snow removal operations on District roads. 

If your vehicle is interfering with snowplow operations within any Special District area you will find a bright yellow Warning Notice on your vehicle. If you receive such a notice, please move your vehicle immediately.  Within a reasonable time, if your vehicle is not moved, it may be towed (do not assume that you will receive a notice prior to being towed).  If your vehicle is towed, you will be responsible for all towing and storage charges.  If a vehicle has been abandoned or parked so that it interferes with snow removal operations, it will be up to the operator to determine whether or not he can safely plow a particular road.  If the operator determines that he cannot safely access or plow the road due to an abandoned or parked vehicle the road will not be plowed until the vehicle is moved.  Please be aware, during winter storms it can take several hours before a tow truck is available.  The operator cannot wait until the vehicle is moved, so the district may not receiving snow removal services for many hours or even a day.

Snow Berms 

This office receives many complaints about snow berms in front of driveways.  The County Of San Bernardino Public Works and Special Districts Department does not have a berm removal program.  Therefore each resident will receive a snow berm in front of their driveway.  Please keep in mind that if there is 1 foot of snow and the road is 10 feet wide, you can expect to receive up to 5 feet of snow in front of your driveway. 

Cinder Spreading.

Cinders will be spread on an as-needed basis throughout the Districts, however, tire chains should be carried at all times and used when needed.  Primary Removal Routes are considered open if 4 x 4 vehicles with tire chains can negotiate them 

Objects/Structures within 3 feet of the roadway

Please be advised, pursuant to County Of San Bernardino Mountain Condition Guidelines for Encroachment Permits it is prohibited to build any structure including fences, retaining walls, gardens, concrete etc. within 3 feet of the roadway.  The exception to this rule is if you have an encroachment permit from Special Districts for a driveway or parking area.  Many properties in Special Districts areas were built prior to the adoption of this policy or without permits which is why your structure was allowed to be constructed.  However, based on this ordinance, Special Districts and its contractors will not be responsible for any damage to property that is within 3 feet of the roadway.

In order to prevent damage to this property, we recommend you place snow poles or markers on these items over 5 feet in height so the operator is aware of the encroachment.  However, placing snow poles on this encroachment does not ensure that this property will not be damaged and does not make Special Districts or its contractors responsible for any damage to this area, particularly during a heavy snowstorm when there is limited area for snow removal.

Who do I contact for my snow removal concerns:

During regular business hours you may contact Special Districts Department at (909) 387-5940 or send an email.
After regular business hours and on weekends please call the County Communications Center at (909) 356-3805 and the appropriate Special Districts Staff member will be paged.