Florence County, SC Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Utility lines or any construction in county right-of-way
- Application lead time
- Submitted at least two weeks before desired permit date
- Permit validity
- Six months from date of issue
- Extension
- One six-month extension from the county administrator
- Enforcement
- Noncompliance is grounds for permit revocation (§27-58)
Summary
Anyone installing utility lines or doing construction work within a Florence County road right-of-way must first get a written encroachment permit from the county under Sec. 27-45. The permit is valid for six months, with one possible six-month extension from the county administrator, per Sec. 27-59.
Sec. 27-45. - Permit required. Where it is necessary or desirable for any individual, corporation, firm and/or their contractors and agents to install or construct utility lines, services, and appurtenances within a county right-of-way or to pursue any construction operation, a written permit shall be obtained from the county. ... Sec. 27-59. - Effective period and extensions. Encroachment permits shall be valid for a period of six months from the date of issue. One extension may be granted by the county administrator upon written request from the permittee not to exceed six months. All other extensions shall require reapplication for a new permit.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 27, Article III, Encroachments, requires a written county permit before any individual, firm, or contractor installs utility lines, services, or appurtenances in a county right-of-way, or pursues any construction operation there. Sec. 27-46 requires the applicant to submit a drawing showing the location and details of the proposed work at least two weeks before the desired permit date. The permittee must indemnify and hold the county harmless from any injury or property damage claims arising from the work (Sec. 27-47), notify the county Public Works Department before starting so it can be present (Sec.
27-48), and keep the permit displayed at the worksite for inspection on demand (Sec. 27-49). Sec. 27-50 requires the permittee to protect highway traffic at all times, at its own expense, with detours, barricades, warning signs, and watchmen, causing the least possible inconvenience. Sec. 27-56 sets technical pipe and conduit standards: service pipes must be jacked or driven, not washed, under pavement; no pavement may be cut without specific authorization; excavation must stay at least three feet from the pavement edge; and trenches must be backfilled and tamped in layers no greater than six inches.
Sec. 27-57 requires driveway approaches in concrete to be at least six inches thick with a bituminous expansion joint at least three-fourths of an inch thick. Sec. 27-58 bars closing any bridge, culvert, or road portion to traffic without the county manager's permission and requires the permittee to respond to a correction notice in a timely manner, generally the next day.
Violations & Fines
The encroachment ordinance sets no dollar fine of its own; its enforcement tool is the permit. Sec. 27-58 makes a failure to comply, including not responding to a notice that corrective action is needed, grounds for revoking the permit and for the county refusing to issue that contractor or developer any future permits, and Sec. 27-47 keeps the permittee liable for any injury or property damage the work causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install a utility line under a Florence County road?
How long does an encroachment permit last?
Can I extend an encroachment permit?
What happens if I don't fix a problem the county flags?
Am I liable if my construction work damages someone's property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Florence County
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