Council limits cuts on newly paved streets, adopts microtrenching standard

The Paso Robles City Council on May 6 introduced an ordinance (first reading by title) and simultaneously adopted a resolution that sets the city’s microtrenching standard. The new approach combines a five‑year limit on pavement cuts to protect newly rehabilitated streets with a defined, construction‑grade standard for microtrenching to permit broadband installation under specific safeguards.

What the ordinance and standard do

- Pavement preservation moratorium: Trenching and excavations that produce pavement cuts are restricted in any street that has been newly constructed, reconstructed, resurfaced, slurry sealed, or rehabilitated within the past five years. The city defined the five‑year period to match comparable municipal policies and to protect investment in recently upgraded pavements.

- Exceptions: Reasonable exceptions are available, including emergency encroachments necessary for life, property or public health and safety; projects mandated or initiated by the city, state or federal entities; new development connections where no other reasonable means of service exists; repairs preventing interruption of essential utility service; and other situations the city engineer finds in the public interest.

- Enhanced restoration requirements: When trenching is allowed under an exception, restoration will require broader pavement replacement than the city’s prior standard. Instead of a 3‑foot patch and 2‑inch grind/overlay on each side of a trench, the enhanced standard requires a 10‑foot grind and overlay on each side (2" overlay) or a half‑street replacement pattern for collectors and arterials, plus specified backfill and compaction requirements and a warranty inspection window.

- Microtrenching standard (adopted by resolution): Because California state law allows microtrenching and broadband providers have rights in the public right‑of‑way, the city established operational limits intended to protect utilities and pavement life: minimum trench depth of 16 inches, maximum permitted trench width of 4 inches, placement generally limited to within approximately 2 feet of the gutter edge (to avoid conflicts with water and sewer mains typically located closer to the center line), required conduit and bedding details, and mandatory use of approved backfill materials (slurry/controlled fill) and compaction. The standard permits stacked conduit in certain configurations and allows the city engineer authority to update technical details as experience and technology evolve.

Why the change

City staff explained that pavement cuts reduce pavement life by creating joints that concentrate loading and allow water intrusion. A city‑commissioned pavement specialist study and municipal comparisons (cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix and Austin) show trench cuts reduce expected useful life; a trench on newly paved streets produces a measurable drop in the pavement condition index. The policy aims to preserve recently improved roads and reduce the frequency and cost of premature repairs.

Public and industry input

Staff received input from broadband providers during outreach. Council and staff noted the city will continue to engage providers and may revise technical details (for example, conduit stacking proposals) as the industry standardizes materials and methods. Several council members asked staff to return with any needed refinements and to confirm notification and coordination procedures for providers when new roads are under construction to allow installation before final paving where appropriate.

Effect and implementation

The ordinance was introduced (first reading) and the microtrenching standard adopted by resolution. Staff will publish the standard, add it to permitting checklists, and apply enhanced restoration requirements when exceptions allow trenches in newly paved streets. The city engineer has delegated authority to make technical updates to the standard as necessary.

Speakers

- Leslie Frazier, City Engineer (presentation and technical details). - Council members asked questions about depth, conduit stacking and notification for new roads; staff answered with technical constraints and coordination guidance.

Sources: staff presentation, May 6, 2025; council deliberations and adopted resolution.