The City of Encinitas takes a pro-active approach to graffiti abatement. As “tagging” and gang graffiti has escalated, so too has the City’s efforts to eliminate it. The Street Maintenance Division, Code Enforcement Division and Sheriff work collaboratively to address graffiti vandalism through abatement, education, and enforcement.

Reporting Graffiti

How do I distinguish public property from private property? In general, public property includes streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, and signs. Private property is typically located behind the sidewalk - for example, buildings, walls, and fences.

Who is responsible for graffiti removal on private property? Graffiti removal on private property is the responsibility of the property owner. Exceptions include private utility structures (boxes, poles, etc.) located in the public right-of-way.

Dead animal pickup and removal service on public property, public streets and public right-of-way is provided by a private contractor. Please call the Street Section, (760) 633-2850 to report a dead animal or for more information about this service.

The City of Encinitas Street Maintenance Division removes weeds and litter from public right of ways. This is done with in-house street maintenance crews and by contract. Abatement areas are reviewed every two months and cleaned-up accordingly. Litter and weeds/vegetation adjacent to private property is the property owner’s responsibility to remove.

The City of Encinitas’ Public Works Department will host a sandbag give-a-way event annually at the Public Works facility at 160 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, CA. 92024. Please check the City's Calendar for the next event. Sandbags will be available per event to Encinitas residents (no contractors) on a first come, first serve basis.

Residents must provide photo identification and show proof of residency. A water bill or electric bill is acceptable, which shows the customers address. 10 sandbags will be given for each address/property (while supply lasts). Residents must self-load and transport the pre-filled sandbags. The City does not provide this service.

Sandbags will no longer be offered daily at the Public Works facility.

Sandbags may be purchased at local vendors. Please call vendors directly for the latest information on availability and pricing. The following is an example of some vendors who may offer sandbags for purchase:

Home Depot
1001 N. El Camino Real
Encinitas 92024
(760) 943-9600

RCP Block & Brick
577 N. Vulcan Ave.
Encinitas 92024
(760) 753-1164

The Street Maintenance Division repairs damage to sidewalks, gutters, and curbs resulting from old age, deterioration, or street tree root damage. Property owners are responsible for damage caused by private tree roots.

The City of Encinitas keeps sidewalks in good condition with in-house street maintenance crew repairs, reconstruction of sections of sidewalks through a sidewalk repair contract, and reconstruction during more significant roadway and utility improvement projects. There are approximately two million square feet of sidewalks in the City of Encinitas.

The Street Maintenance Section maintains approximately 8,000 roadway signs including public street name signs, traffic signs and sign poles. One Street Division staff member performs sign maintenance full-time. The Division proactively repairs or replaces damaged signs quickly. Staff proactively inspects all signs in the City twice per year and from these inspections, signs are repaired or replaced as needed. Repair and replacement of private street name signs or other private signs are the responsibility of the property owner.

The Street Maintenance Division responds to reports of unsafe conditions observed on Encinitas streets. Please report downed trees, damaged guard rails, road obstructions, debris in roadway, down signs, etc., as soon as possible. Privately owned trees that fall in the right of way will be cut and stacked at the side of the road; it is the property owner’s responsibility to remove the wood. The Division installs barricades as needed and performs emergency repairs.

There are approximately 3,000 street lights in the City of Encinitas. Some are owned and maintained by the City and some are owned an operated by SDG&E. The City contracts to provide maintenance and repairs. To report a street light issue or outage, please give the street light number (stenciled at eye level) or street name and address where the street light is located. If there is no specific address, give the intersecting street and position at intersection. The exact location is very important because street lights are repaired during the day. Our contractor usually repairs street lights within 4 business days unless a specialized part needs to be ordered.

The Street Maintenance Division maintains 172 miles of streets and performs routine maintenance and repairs to help ensure that our roads and right of ways are safe and accessible. Repairs include the patching of potholes, depressions, bumps, and other defects on city streets. Small failed areas, typically called potholes, need to be repaired quickly and repair is an ongoing operation of the Street Maintenance Division. Sometimes other agencies or private utility companies are responsible for repairing potholes and other street defects resulting from inadequately restored utility cuts. Potholes can be caused by traffic, water, or damaged sewers.

The Street Maintenance Division is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of City of Encinitas’ traffic striping. The Division collaborates with the City’s Traffic Engineering Division to ensure proper installation of roadway striping design parameters in accordance with State regulations. If lane lines, arrows, curbs or legends need to be repainted, please use our Online Request for Assistance or call the Street Maintenance Division at (760) 633-2850. To request changes in arrows, lane lines, curb painting or legends, please call the Traffic Engineering Division at (760) 943-2211.

The Street Maintenance Division contracts out to clean the City of Encinitas’ streets with power sweepers. We cover 9,000 curb miles and remove 1,200 tons of litter and debris every year. Generally, we sweep residential streets once per month and sweep commercial areas once per week. Street sweeping is an effective method of removing both the large and microscopic pollutants that collect on City streets; it helps prevent pollutants from entering the City's storm drain system and reaching the ocean. 

Street Sweeping Schedule

Bike Lane Sweeping Schedule

S. Highway 101 - Monday, Thursday & Saturday (Weekly)

Leucadia Blvd. - Second Monday of the month (Monthly)

As-needed areas - Second Monday of the month (based on monthly inspections):

• Encinitas Blvd.
• Santa Fe Dr
• Balour Dr.
• N. Hwy 101
• Manchester Ave.

The Street Maintenance Division is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of City of Encinitas’ public drainage system that is above ground. Our work includes biannual inspection and cleaning of all City storm drains, cleaning debris and clearance of drainage systems after storm events and preventing standing water issues in City right-of-way areas. The City’s Wastewater Maintenance Division maintains below-ground storm drain pipes and inlets.

The Street Division proactively cares for the City of Encinitas’ right of way trees using standards set forth by the International Society of Arboriculture. The Street Division provides tree care and maintenance for City owned trees in the right of way including routine trimming, planting and the removal of dead and diseased trees. Tree trimming is performed to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased limbs and remove potential hazards to pedestrians, cyclists, vehicular traffic, buses and emergency vehicles. The Street Maintenance Division organizes, plans and oversees the annual contractual tree maintenance program.

Learn all about city-maintained trees with this interactive map, which includes everything from pruning schedules to species specifics.

Go to the Urban Forest Management Program page, for all information regarding tree policies, ordinances, guides, trimming and planting.