Cleveland, OH Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

01 bars any building or structure, and any addition to one, from being constructed to encroach upon public property or project beyond the street or alley line, setback, or specific building line, except as allowed under Chapter 3109, Chapter 3113, or the Zoning Code (Chapters 325 to 359). Anything that is allowed to project must be built so it can be removed at any time without leaving the building structurally unsafe. A permit is required for all permitted projections and encroachments into required yard or court spaces regulated by the chapter; retractable awnings need a permit only when at the first-story level and projecting over public property when open.

The Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses charges $100 for a standard encroachment permit. Banners are priced separately: $10 per pole to attach a banner to a utility or other pole in the right-of-way, and no fee at all to stretch a banner across the right-of-way. Critically, no encroachment permit ever creates a permanent easement, every permit is revocable at any time by action of Council, and the City is not liable to the owner for any damages caused by that revocation. All permitted projections and encroachments must be kept safe, sound, and non-hazardous, with corrodible materials protected from corrosion by painting or other approved method.

A permit is only valid while the encroachment stays in that safe condition, and the Commissioner will revoke it if unsafe conditions are not promptly corrected. Encroachments cannot interfere with public trees, street lamps, hydrants, trolley or utility poles and wires, other public installations, or any required means of egress. 09 to abate it.