The mission of the Public Works Department is to design, construct, and maintain public facilities and infrastructure that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of El Cerrito. The Department is dedicated to carefully managing the City's resources in order to create and maintain facilities and infrastructure that will meet the City's needs well into the future. The Department also provides recycling collection services to the City's residents and businesses as well as the drop-off center.

Click on the links below to find out more information on...

Tree Trimming Schedule for Winter

Planning for the Future of the Ohlone Greenway
Information about the development of an Ohlone Greenway improvement plan and how you can share your ideas.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Information
Information and resources for cyclists and pedestrians in El Cerrito. Also, includes a link to the recently-adopted City Circulation Plan for Bicyclists and Pedestrians.

San Pablo Avenue Streetscape Improvements
For information on the multi-phased San Pablo Avenue Streetscape project including overall scope and schedule of the project, download the following documents:
San Pablo Avenue Streetscape Timeline brochure (PDF)
San Pablo Avenue Streetscape presentation to City Council, May 2007 (PDF, 123 MB)

New Stormwater Control Plan Requirements for Projects Over 10,000 square feet
Click here to see new Contra Costa County Stormwater Runoff Requirements

Update regarding the Upper Fairmount Avenue Streetscape Master Plan project

Street Tree Planting
Would you like to plant a street tree? Find out how!

Encroachment Permits
Information on obtaining an encroachment permit

Citizen Road Improvement Request Form
Use this form to:

• Make a request for a wheelchair ramp would make your travel more safe and convenient
• Identify problems to be corrected by maintenance work, signs, striping, and construction projects

Green Building Information
Information on green building programs and resources

Creek Information
Local Creek information and resources

View Ordinance
Read the El Cerrito Municipal Code, Chapter 10.90 for information on obstruction of views by trees on private property. Any technical questions regarding this ordinance should be directed to Bruce King at 215-4367.

Jerry Bradshaw, Public Works Director
Tel 510-215-4382
Fax 510-233-5401
E-Mail jbradshaw@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us

• Monday, Wednesday, and alternate Fridays: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Closed every other Friday

The City of El Cerrito's street sweeping program is funded by your local Stormwater Pollution Control Program to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act. Street sweeping removes pollutants before they drain into storm drains, ditches and creeks which eventually flow into San Francisco Bay untreated.

Please use the following guidelines to help us keep your streets clean:

• Park your cars off the street on your scheduled sweeping day. Sweeping around parked cars requires more time and is a dangerous maneuver.
• Do not clean your front yard into the street. Do not pile leaves. Sweepers are not equipped to pick up large piles of leaves left in the street.
• Keep landscape plants pruned far enough back to allow sweepers to sweep against curb.
• Keep tree branches pruned to a height of 12' above the street to allow passage of sweeper.

If you see someone dumping into a storm drain, call 1-800-NODUMPING. Report as much information about the incident and the parties involved as you can.

If you have household hazardous waste to dispose of, please call 1-888-412-9277.

For more information about El Cerrito's street sweeping program, please call the Maintenance Division at (510) 559-7033. Thank you!

Click here for the Street Sweeping Schedule Map (revised May 2007)

BART Earthquake Safety Program Click here to see the presentation BART representatives made to the City Council in January regarding their Earthquake Safety Program.

Urban Forest Plan
Click here to learn more about the City's recently-adopted Urban Forest Management Plan. The purpose of El Cerritio's Urban Forest Management Plan is to build an extensive, healthy forest that provides the city with social, environmental and economic benefits.

Malfunctioning streetlights may be reported to the Public Works Department at any time by calling (510) 559-7033. If you report a problem after business hours, please leave the following information on voice mail and it will be forwarded to PG&E on the next business day:

• What is the pole number (listed vertically on the pole facing the street)?
• Is it a wood or steel pole?
• What is the exact location or closest address to the pole?
• Is the streetlight completely out, on all day, or working intermittently?

PG&E can also be contacted directly at 1-800-743-5000 or reports can be made over the internet at www.pge.com.