Driveways in Humboldt and Trinity County

Where a driveway meets a county road

In Humboldt County, encroachment permits for work in the right of way of a county-maintained road come from Public Works, whose encroachment permit office also checks that new driveway locations meet county standards.

County policy requires a paved entrance where a driveway meets a paved county road.

The county asks applicants to allow three weeks for an encroachment permit to be processed and issued.

Sources: Humboldt County: Real Property & Right of Way; Humboldt County: Public Works; Humboldt County: Instructions for Completing the Encroachment Permit Application

Long driveways and erosion control

Under Humboldt County Code §331-14, a site-specific erosion and sediment control plan has to be submitted with any development application involving grading that has any one of these characteristics: it covers one acre or more; it is on a slope of 15 percent or steeper; it is in an area of moderate or high geologic instability; it is within a Streamside Management Area or other wet area; it is within a floodplain; it is for a driveway or road longer than 300 feet; or it is planned for the winter period, October 15 to April 15.

The Chief Building Official may also require a plan, prepared by a qualified professional at the owner's expense, at any time during design or construction.

Source: Humboldt County Code §331-14 (grading, excavation, erosion and sediment control)

Rain and wet ground

Eureka averages 40.4 inches of rain a year, and 77 percent of it falls from November through March (NOAA, 1991-2020 normals).

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991-2020 normals: Eureka (Woodley Island)