The Public Works Department is committed to providing the highest quality services in the most cost effective manner, while ensuring that the maintenance, construction, and operations of the public facilities and programs under its care are adequate, safe, and serviceable to the satisfaction of its customers.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Public Works Department provides engineering services and capital planning to ensure a high quality of public infrastructure and is responsible for rehabilitating and restoring the City’s infrastructure (i.e. facilities, streets, water pipelines, sewer system), providing safe and reliable water delivery, improving the flow of traffic, maintaining parkway streets and landscape, cleaning of City streets, overseeing transportation programs, managing the City’s sanitary sewer system, and coordinating refuse and recycling programs.

The City is implementing the San Fernando Regional Park Infiltration Project (Project) in alignment with the requirements set forth by the Los Angeles County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit and Upper Los Angeles River Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP).  The Project will provide multiple benefits while assisting the City in meeting regulatory requirements. 

 

CLICK HERE for more information 

CONTACT INFORMATION
Kenneth Jones, Management Analyst
CITY HALL | Public Works Department
117 Macneil Street, San Fernando, CA 91340
(818) 898-1240 | KJones@sfcity.org

Among the most popular upgrades that are eligible under this program, are whole-home heating and cooling (HVAC), solar power installations, energy-saving windows, roofing and insulation, among other types of energy and water efficient improvements. Property owners are able to borrow up to 15% of their property’s value and repay the loan over a fixed time period through an assessment on their property tax bill.

The HERO Program is different from traditional consumer financing because approvals are based primarily on the amount of equity a homeowner has in their home. All financing and project approvals are processed through HERO Program staff, and not through the City of San Fernando. Altogether, 228 communities participate in the HERO Program and more than $100 Million in energy efficiency upgrades have been approved.

For more information about the program, eligibility requirements, and financing details, please visit the HERO Program website or contact their representatives.

• Hero Program Brochure
• HERO Program Statewide Launch Press Release

   

• Rehabilitating and Restoring the City’s Infrastructure (i.e., facilities, streets, water pipelines, sewer system)
• Providing Safe and Reliable Water Delivery
• Improving the Flow of Traffic
• Maintaining Parkway Trees
• Cleaning of City Streets
• Overseeing Transportation Programs
• Maintaining the City’s Fleet
• Maintaining Lighting and Traffic Signals
• Managing the City’s Sanitary Sewer System
• Coordinating Refuse and Recycling Programs

• 28 Police Vehicles
• 33 Mid-duty Trucks
• 9 Heavy-duty Pieces of Equipment
• 25 Smaller, Miscellaneous Equipment
• 2 Emergency Generators

The primary goal of the Mechanical Maintenance Division is the Preventive Maintenance Program which helps to lower costs by identifying smaller repairs before they become larger and expensive repairs. 

Other responsibilities include record keeping for the State Biennial Inspection of Terminals (BIT) Program, Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Annual Survey of Fleets-Rule 1190, Annual SMOG certification and all records of hazardous materials such as waste oil, used solvents, clarifier, used batteries, and maintaining copies of all manifests.

The Division keeps a large inventory for these various types of vehicles and equipment ranging from tires, oils, filters, brakes, hoses, lights, and cleaning supplies. They also keep monthly repair records for each vehicle/equipment by account number and vehicle number to verify proper accounting and a quarterly garage report to stay within budget. 

Staff will inspect the location of the graffiti, and will either remove the graffiti (as long as it falls under the City Guidelines) or notify property owners if they are unable to remove.

Available in both the Apple App Store or Google Play to download the app. 

• City Hall
• City Yard
• Police Facility
• Park Buildings and Grounds
• Brand Landscape Median
• Maclay Median
• Chamber Building
• Water Reservoirs and Pump Stations
• Lopez Adobe Historical House
• Bike Trail Landscape Maintenance
• Gateway Landscape Maintenance
• Civic Center Landscape Maintenance

This Division, through short- and long-term maintenance programs, and thorough better management practices ensures that the large investment in City facilities will be protected. FMD staff effectively utilizes the Court Referral Community Service Program enabling the Division to extend its resources. This program, additionally, contributes substantially in our efforts to complete projects and maintain a higher level of service to patrons.

Preventing water pollution is a responsibility that requires assistance the entire community. By implementing simple steps in regular everyday activities, water pollution can be reduced significantly.

• Over 50 miles of public streets and alleys in the City;
• 80 miles of City sidewalks; and
• 10 miles of storm drains.

The duties of this division include administering major projects, such as roadway reconstruction and resurfacing, inspection of utility trenches, and sidewalk replacements. The crews are responsible for filling potholes and making temporary and permanent repairs to sidewalks.

The duties of this division, from time to time, also include emergency clean-up from traffic accidents, spilled loads, and other street emergencies. They provide the setting up and removal of traffic control barricades and temporary parking restrictions for parades, festivals, circuses, and movie filming.

The Division is also responsible for administration of the street sweeping contract with Athens Services, Inc., maintenance of the City’s street cleaning equipment, and collection of litter and debris from all City streets and alley ways. Street Sweeping provides two primary benefits to the City. The more obvious benefit is the collection and removal of paper, leaves, and other visual debris that collect in the gutters. This debris can block storm water facilities, causing localized flooding during heavy rains. An equally important but less visible benefit is the removal of metal particles and other hazardous waste products left by passing vehicles. Although they are virtually invisible, these particles can be extremely harmful to fish and other wildlife if they reach our creeks, rivers, beaches, and bays. Street Sweeping is an effective method of removing both the large and microscopic pollutants that collect on City streets.

The Division is responsible for the maintenance and care of trees located within the public right-of-way and on public property. This includes trimming, planting, pruning roots, removing trees, inspecting trees, and specializing in tree activities. The Division responds to fallen limbs and hazardous tree situations, which occur with more frequency during storms.

The City has taken significant steps to enhance urban forestry management:

• May 6, 2024: The City Council adopted Resolution No. 8301, approving the 2024 Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP).
• August 9, 2024: The Planning and Preservation Commission, acting as the Tree Commission, reviewed and filed a presentation on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for tree preservation in the public right-of-way, based on UFMP recommendations.
• March 17, 2025: The City Council adopted Resolution No. 8371, approving a Comprehensive Tree Preservation Policy, which establishes guidelines for the removal of City-owned trees in public spaces. The City is responsible for maintaining and removing hazardous or dead trees when necessary. Click here to view/download the Comprehensive Tree Preservation Policy

• The design, supervision, and inspection of all street, sidewalk, and bike path construction;
• All City surveying and mapping operations include maintenance of the City’s street and utility records;
• Management of the storm water and sewers including the design, operation and maintenance of sanitary sewers and storm sewer systems;
• The review of land use changes for Public Works feasibility;
• The research and development services supporting the Solid Waste Management Program; and
• The preparation of various studies relating to Public Works. 

Our goal is to balance the needs of businesses, patrons, and the public, while maintaining safety, cleanliness, and accessibility. From permit requirements to seating arrangements, our guidelines are designed to help you create inviting outdoor spaces while respecting city rules.

For information on the design, development, and operational standards, as well as the application and Ordinance language, please visit:

• Placing a dumpster on the street (Dumpster must be obtained by Republic Services or current refuse service provider)
• Placing moving pods on the street
• Work that encroaches onto the ROW such as sandblasting, painting, modifying of the façade of a building, closing access to pedestrian for work on the sidewalk*
• Business Sign installation
• Annual Permit for an the placement of an “A” Frame on the sidewalk*
• Building Window Washing requiring uplift or other machinery within ROW
• Trimming Landscape around building requiring uplift or other machinery within ROW
• Annual Permit for placing furniture, tables and chairs for dining purposes within ROW
• Placing tents with tables for the purpose of promoting business within ROW
• Pedestrian scaffolding within ROW
• Traffic Counters
• Filming or red carpet events within ROW
• Temporary Valet Parking Zones within ROW
• House Moving/Wide Load Permit*
• Draining of a swimming pool
• Use of parking stalls for work or special events
• Horse carriage
• Overnight parking of construction vehicles?
• Street work requiring traffic delineation and/or lane closures*+
• Street closure*+ 

*Requires liability insurance adding the City of San Fernando as additionally insured.

+Requires a Traffic Control Plan stamped by a Registered Traffic Engineer. Allow five (5) days for review of the plan.

All construction permits require liability insurance naming the City of San Fernando as additionally insured and as Certificate Holder. Sewer installation and repairs require a bonded sewer contractor to apply for the permit. Construction plans require a ten day review before issuance of permit. Construction involving the disturbance of regular traffic flow requires Traffic Control Plan stamped by a Registered Traffic Engineer. Allow five (5) days for review of the traffic plan.

Since 1985, the City has contracted with the County of Los Angeles for the enforcement of the City’s Industrial Waste Program. Industrial waste permit fees cover the cost of the program.

If you observe a sewage related issue, please notify the City immediately at the number below.

An SSMP is a document that describes the activities an agency uses to manage its wastewater collection system effectively.

All public entities that own or operate a sanitary sewer system greater than one (1) mile in length that collect and/or convey untreated or partially treated wastewater to a publicly owned treatment facility in the State of California are required to by the State to have an SSMP in place and make a copy of the plan available on its website.

CLICK HERE for more information on all utility services in the City of San Fernando

• Urban Water Management Plan