Bishop, CA Excavation Contractor
Bishop is the only incorporated city in Inyo County, and most of the county’s people live in or right around it. Here, the first questions on a dig often aren’t about the dirt. They’re about who owns the land, which agency issues the permit, and how you’ll keep dust on site. Less than 2% of Inyo County is privately owned, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power owns 314,000 acres in the Owens Valley.
Harris Excavation handles excavation, grading, utility trenching and drainage in Bishop and the surrounding Owens Valley. We work directly for property owners and as the excavation subcontractor for general contractors and developers, and we’ve already done commercial trenching in town. We’re a licensed general engineering contractor (CSLB #1117960) and a CA Certified Micro SBE.
Excavation and Trenching Services in Bishop
- Sewer, water and storm trenching, cut to the depth and pitch on your plans, including underslab lines for commercial buildings. Commercial trenching
- Electrical and service trenching for homes, shops and outbuildings. Residential trenching
- Foundation and pad excavation for new homes, additions and ADUs. Residential excavation
- Commercial site prep and grading for builders and developers. Commercial grading
- Drainage and regrading to move water away from buildings. Residential drainage
- Dust and erosion control on disturbed ground. Erosion control
Bishop Project: Underslab Sewer Trenching for a New Hotel
In mid-November, with snow on the way, we trenched the underslab sewer lines for a new ground-up hotel in Bishop. The schedule had no room for delays. We worked closely with the general contractor and the engineering team so the depth, pitch and pipe layout matched the specs and the system will work for the long haul. Read the project write-up.
City, County or LADWP: Who Signs Off
Inside city limits, the City of Bishop is your permitting agency. Outside them, in places like West Bishop, Meadow Creek, Dixon Lane, Wilkerson and Round Valley, you’re in unincorporated Inyo County. Building permits go to Inyo County Building and Safety. Encroachment permits for work in a county road go to Inyo County Public Works in Independence.
LADWP land. LADWP leases out about 80% of its Owens Valley land for farming, ranching, business uses, recreation and more. If your home, shop or business sits on land leased from LADWP, check what your lease allows and talk to LADWP before you plan new improvements. We can scope and price the work, but the landowner’s approval comes first.
US-395 and state highways. A driveway, utility connection or excavation inside a state highway right-of-way needs a Caltrans encroachment permit. District 9, which covers Inyo, Mono and eastern Kern counties, has its office on South Main Street in Bishop. Caltrans typically asks for a deposit with the application. We’ll help you figure out which agencies are involved before the bid.
Keeping Dust on Site in the Owens Valley
Inyo County describes its climate as high desert, shaped by the Sierra rain shadow, with very hot summers and very cold winters that are both mostly dry. Dry ground means dust. The Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, which covers Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties, requires reasonable precautions so visible dust doesn’t blow beyond the property where it starts. Its Rule 401 lists water or chemicals during construction, grading and land clearing, and treatment of dirt roads and stockpiles.
Communities We Serve Around Bishop
We work throughout Bishop and nearby West Bishop, Meadow Creek, Dixon Lane, Wilkerson, Mustang Mesa and Round Valley. We also cover Big Pine to the south and Chalfant and Benton across the line in Mono County. Up US-395, see our pages for Mammoth Lakes, June Lake and Bridgeport, or our Eastern Sierra services overview.
Bishop Excavation FAQ
Is Bishop in Mono County?
No. Bishop is in Inyo County. We work in both Inyo and Mono counties.
Who issues my permit?
Inside Bishop city limits, the City of Bishop. Outside them, Inyo County. Work in a state highway right-of-way, such as US-395, also needs a Caltrans encroachment permit.
My property is leased from LADWP. Can you still do the work?
Usually, once your lease and LADWP allow it. Check with LADWP first, then send us the scope and we’ll price it.
Do you take commercial work in Bishop?
Yes. We’ve trenched underslab sewer lines for a new hotel in town, and we work as the excavation subcontractor for general contractors and developers.
Start Your Bishop Project
Send us your plans, the property location, and whether it’s inside city limits or on leased LADWP land. We’ll review the scope and send a clear written estimate. Request a free estimate