Corpus Christi, TX Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Sec. 49-15 lets anyone who has built, is building, or maintains an encroachment structure on or in a city easement obtain an easement encroachment license. The written application goes to the Department of Development Services and must name the owner of the adjacent property benefiting from the encroachment, include a legal description of that property, a one-sheet plot plan showing the structure's location and dimensions, and a written justification for the encroachment; a nonrefundable application fee set under Sec. 14-1341 is due when the application is filed.

The city manager or designee may grant the license only if all five criteria are met: the encroachment is not detrimental to community or neighboring-property health, safety, or welfare; it does not interfere with access to any public place; it does not require relocating public or franchise utilities, or those utilities have no objection; every structure complies with the Unified Development Code and building code; and the encroachment covers less than one-third of the easement's total width. If the criteria aren't met, the city manager or designee must deny the license in writing with reasons, though the city council may still grant a license that falls short of the standard criteria.

A granted license runs with the property and must be recorded in the Nueces County real property records, but it never confers permanent title to the easement. The city manager or designee can revoke the license on 30 days' written notice if the structure later becomes detrimental to health, safety, or welfare, blocks access to a public place, or must be removed for a public works project.