Evanston, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Director of Public Works
- Allowed use
- Active construction/repair only
- Insurance
- $1,000,000 minimum certificate
- Fee
- $1.50/lin. ft./week, $50 minimum
- Revocation
- Permit revocable at any time
Summary
Evanston requires a Public Works permit before anyone occupies the public right-of-way for construction, remodeling, or building maintenance, backed by a bond and at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
Permits to occupy the public right-of-way for the purposes of building, construction, remodeling or maintenance, must first be obtained from the Director of Public Works or his/her designee and are intended only for imperative uses in connection with the actual erection, repair, maintenance, alteration, wrecking or removal of buildings, and shall terminate with the completion of such operation.(C)Refund requests for cancelled Occupation of Public Rights-of-Way (ROW) shall be assessed an administrative fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for permits issued with a permit fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) or less and fifty dollars ($50.00) for permits issued with a permit fee greater than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). Administrative fee will be assessed to any issued ROW permit. Request shall include name, address, contact phone number or email address, permit number and reason for cancellation request. It shall be unlawful to occupy any public right-of-way after the completion of the operation for which a permit has been issued by the Director of Public Works or his/her designee. It shall also be unlawful to occupy any public right-of-way, under authority of such permit, for the storage of articles not intended for immediate use in connection with the operation for which such permit has been issued.
(Code 1957, § 42-132; Ord. No. 8-O-12, (50-O-11(exh. B, § 7-2-5-1)), 1-23-2012; Ord. No. 61-O-19, § 1, 7-8-2019)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 7-2-5-1 limits right-of-way occupation permits to active building work, erection, repair, alteration, wrecking, or removal, and the permit terminates once that work ends. Applicants file a scaled drawing under § 7-2-5-2 and, per § 7-2-5-4, post a bond plus a $1,000,000 certificate of insurance naming the City as additional insured, unless the job is a $2,500-or-less owner repair. Fees run $1.50 per linear foot per week ($50 minimum) under § 7-2-5-3. It is unlawful to keep occupying the right-of-way after work finishes or to use it for material storage, and the Director of Public Works may revoke the permit at any time.
Violations & Fines
Occupying the right-of-way after work is complete, or using it for storage, is unlawful under Section 7-2-5-1(C); permit fees run $1.50/lin. ft./week with a $500/day penalty for unpermitted obstruction under § 7-2-5-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store materials in the right-of-way under this permit?
How much does an encroachment permit cost?
Sources & Official References
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Encroachment Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle encroachment permits.