Bartholomew County, IN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

036 makes it unlawful to cut, dig, trench, excavate, grade, tunnel or bore into, or otherwise disturb, any county road, street, alley, sidewalk, roadside ditch, right-of-way or other public place, or to attach or remove wire, pipe or conduit from a county bridge, without first filing a written application with the County Highway Engineer at least three days before work begins, obtaining the permit, executing a bond, and restoring the site to good condition. Emergency work may proceed without delay if a bond is posted, notice given, and a permit applied for within 24 hours.

037 requires the application to describe the estimated dates, dimensions, road surface and purpose of the work, and the permittee must maintain the disturbed surface in smooth, uniform condition for one year, barricade the site, take responsibility for injury or damage, and post the permit holder's name at the site. 038 sets the bond at $5,000 for a cut no deeper than six feet at roughly a right angle to the road, $20,000 per mile for a deeper or more angled cut, and $5,000 or $150 per foot, whichever is greater, for bridge attachments; the bond stays in force for three years after completion.

039 gives the permittee 90 days from issuance to complete and repair the work, subject to extension by the County Highway Engineer. The ordinance does not apply to work done under contract with the County Board of Commissioners or to private driveway construction connecting to a county highway.