Bethlehem, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Codified Ordinances Section 721.08 covers non-vending encroachments into the public right-of-way: anyone wanting to conduct a non-vending activity or place a temporary or permanent structure on a street, sidewalk, lane, alley, pavement, footway or right-of-way, or to affix a fixture to a pole or other structure there, must apply to the Director of Public Works for a permit. The base fee is $100.00 where applicable. The written application must describe the activity, detail the location, dimensions and construction type of any structure, and provide a Certificate of Insurance from a company acceptable to the Director naming the City as additional insured for $1,000,000 in liability coverage.

Applications must be filed at least 5 days but no more than 60 days before the activity starts, and a permit is granted only to a person holding legal title to land directly abutting the right-of-way area, or a lessee under a lease signed at least 60 days before the application. The section carves out lower, use-specific fees for particular encroachments: $50.00 for temporary containers, dumpsters, building supplies or construction equipment (filed 24 hours to 30 days ahead and cleared by the Traffic Bureau of the Police Department), $50.00 for temporary signs (cleared by the Zoning Officer), and $40.00 to $100.00 for banners depending on placement. Permit issuance under this section does not override other City ordinances such as Health and Fire Code requirements.