Frederick, MD Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 22-3(a) requires a Department of Public Works permit before anyone may grade, change the grade of, or do any other work to a public way, sidewalk, curb, or gutter, covering everything from driveway aprons to utility trenching within the right-of-way. The Director of Public Works or a designee can issue a stop-work order to anyone who fails to comply with a permit condition, and ignoring that stop-work order is itself a separate misdemeanor under Section 22-3(b)(2). A violator can also be ordered to restore the public way, sidewalk, curb, or gutter to its original condition at their own expense under Section 22-3(b)(3), on top of any criminal penalty.

1 separately makes it unlawful to place a mailbox, post, shrub, or other improvement in a public way, street, avenue, sidewalk, or the area between the sidewalk and curb without first securing the city's written consent, with violations treated as a $25-per-day municipal infraction. 2 adds that no tree, bush, shrub, or other planting may go within ten feet of an underground utility line or within a city utility easement without the city's prior written approval. 1, which requires an application at least fourteen days before the closing date.