Auburn, WA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

010 states it shall be unlawful for anyone to make private use of any public right-of-way without a right-of-way use permit issued by the city, or to use a right-of-way without complying with the permit's provisions, unless the use falls within a designated exception. 015 defines right-of-way broadly to include streets, alleys, sidewalks and landscape (parking) strips dedicated to the city, and defines private use as any benefit to a person or entity other than as a public thoroughfare. 025 sets up four permit types: Type A, a banner permit for 14 days or less; Type B, a short-term permit for uses under 30 days such as sidewalk sales, block parties or right-of-way dumpster placement; Type C, a long-term permit for 30 days to five years, covering sidewalk cafes, awnings, fences, vending units and similar surface or nonsurface encroachments; and Type D, a hauling permit for oversize or overweight loads.

020 requires a nonrefundable application fee set by the city's fee schedule, plus insurance, bonding and indemnification as conditions of approval, and deems an application abandoned after 180 days of applicant inaction. 070 caps most permit terms at five years absent full council approval, allows a single 30-day extension, and makes clear a permit vests no permanent rights and cannot be transferred to another location or applicant without city approval. 080 lets the city order correction or discontinuance of an unpermitted or noncompliant right-of-way condition, treats any unpermitted object in the right-of-way as a nuisance subject to removal after 24 hours' notice, and can lien the removal cost against the abutting property.