Bowling Green, KY Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Sec. 21-4.06(a) requires any party performing an activity in the right-of-way that needs a permit under the Cuts, Excavations and Work Within Right-of-Way subchapter to obtain that permit and pay the applicable fee before starting, unless the Subchapter specifically exempts the work. Sec. 21-4.06(b) requires a non-emergency right-of-way work permit application at least five days before the planned activity, though the City Engineer can waive that lead time for good cause, and the Department must approve, deny or conditionally approve the application within five business days, stating in writing the basis for any denial or condition; work performed without proper notification is treated as work done without a permit and risks fines.

Emergency permits must be applied for within two business days of discovering the emergency. Sec. 21-4.06(e) confirms the core encroachment trigger for this target: a right-of-way permit is required for any cut or excavation or work in any City right-of-way, including work that requires closing a lane or fully closing a City-maintained street, alley, sidewalk or multi-use path. Applications are available from the Department and the City's website under Sec. 21-4.06(d), and Sec. 21-4.06(j) lets the City Engineer deny or revoke a permit that fails to meet the Subchapter's requirements or threatens public health, safety or welfare, while conditioning approval on specific requirements is also allowed.

Sec. 21-4.07 sets the flat cost: permit fees of $75 are required and due at the time of application. Sec. 21-4.08 backs every permit with a surety bond, minimum $250 for a single permit or $100,000 for an annual running bond covering multiple permits, released after a bond release inspection ninety days after the final repair.