2026 comprehensive road maintenance operation procedures
How the County's Roads Division keeps roads safe and well maintained.
Updated August 26, 2026 at 12:48 PM PDT
Overview
- Status
- Active
- Expected result
- Road maintenance work completed safely, documented accurately, and communicated to the appropriate County staff
- Audience
- Roads Superintendent
- Road and sign shop supervisors
- Maintenance staff
- Contractors performing County road maintenance
- Department
- Department of Public Works
- Unit
- Marin County Department of Public Works - Roads Division
- Identifier
- ROADS-MAINT-2026
Routine roadway maintenance
1Pavement maintenance
Inspect roads for cracks, trip hazards, potholes, or subbase failure. Repair potholes with hot mix or cold patch, apply crack sealant where required, complete skin patches, edge repairs, or dig-outs, and ensure compaction and cleanup.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
2Drainage maintenance
Inspect culverts, ditches, inlets, curb, and gutter. Remove debris and obstructions, flush systems where necessary, repair or replace damaged pipes, headwalls, or grates, restore flow, and stabilize eroded areas.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
3Vegetation and tree work
Brush roadside shoulders, clear sight lines, trim vegetation obstructing signs, lights, or drainage, remove hazardous trees using proper procedures and equipment, and chip and dispose of vegetation at local dump sites.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
4Signs and striping maintenance
Replace damaged or missing signs, install new signs to County standards, maintain striping, markers, legends, and crosswalks, and clean signs obstructed by vegetation or debris.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
5Shoulder and roadbed stabilization
Grade shoulders to restore drainage, add aggregate or soil where settlement has occurred, and compact and shape shoulders for safety and runoff control.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
Traffic and emergency operations
1Traffic control
Determine the appropriate traffic control under the MUTCD. Set up signs, cones, barricades, and flaggers; inspect the work zone before work begins; and monitor and adjust traffic flow as needed.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
2Storm response and emergency operations
Patrol roads during storms, report road closures, clear debris, fallen trees, and rockslides, perform sandbagging, pumping, and flood mitigation, assist emergency services, and document and report hazards immediately.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
3Slip-out response
Assess danger zones from a safe distance, install temporary traffic control, remove loose material when safe, install sandbags or k-rail as needed, and coordinate with engineering for permanent repair design when required.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
Requests, inspections, and records
1Respond to customer requests and inspections
Respond to service requests in a timely manner, document findings and actions, identify follow-up needs, and communicate with the Superintendent or engineering as needed.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
2Document and report work
Complete required records for daily crew activity, work orders, materials and equipment, incidents or near misses, storm activity, and photographs when applicable.
- Responsible role
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Maintenance Staff
- Completion criteria
- The work is completed safely, the site is left in a stable condition, and required documentation is submitted.
Safety requirements
- Cal/OSHA regulations
- County safety policies
- MUTCD-compliant traffic control standards
- Equipment safety manuals
- Required PPE, including high-visibility vests, hard hats, gloves, boots, and eye and hearing protection
Responsibilities
- Roads Superintendent
- Oversees implementation and compliance; manages budgets, scheduling, and priorities; processes invoices and time sheets; coordinates with Fleet and other divisions; supports supervisors and staff.
- Road and Sign Shop Supervisors
- Direct crews; enforce safety and approve traffic control; review equipment logs and work reports; manage inventory; document events; and coordinate with the Superintendent.
- Maintenance Staff
- Perform maintenance work, follow safety and PPE requirements, complete daily equipment reports, report hazards and work completion, and communicate with constituents and supervisors.
- Contractors
- Comply with County standards, field direction, licensing, insurance, and safety requirements.
Documentation and records
- Record type
- Road maintenance operational records
- Requirement
- Document daily crew logs and truck cards, work orders, completed tasks, material and equipment usage, incidents and near misses, storm activity, and photographs when applicable.
Source document
View the original 2026 comprehensive road maintenance operation procedures PDF.