Arlington Heights, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 20-110, Street Occupation Permit for Building Operations, sits in Article I, General Provisions, of Chapter 20. It reads in part: 'It shall be unlawful to deposit or store any building materials, tools, apparatus or structure designed or intended to be used in the erection, construction, alteration or repair of buildings on any street, including parkway, roadway or sidewalk, without obtaining a street occupation permit from the Director of Public Works.' Without a permit, all materials, tools and equipment must stay entirely within the applicant's own property lines.

Applications go to the Director of Public Works and must describe the exact location and use of the street space and the length of the planned occupation. The applicant posts a cash deposit of $1.00 per front foot of the property, with a $200.00 minimum, refunded in full if the street is restored to its original condition when the permit ends; if it is not restored, the Village does the restoration work and deducts the cost from the deposit. There is also a separate $25.00 fee for each day the street is closed to public use. A permit is valid for 30 days, though additional permits can be issued until the work is finished, and occupation of a roadway can never extend more than one-third across it. During the permit period, a five-foot-wide sidewalk or paved passageway with guard railings must stay open unless the Director of Public Works approves full closure, and the permit holder must keep the occupied area, including gutters, clear of rubbish, dirt and snow at all times.