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

The Director of Engineering issues encroachment licenses on a form set by the City's Technical Standards Manual, and can grant one only for a use that will not significantly affect the public interest, unreasonably interfere with the paramount purpose of the street, alley, or easement, or unreasonably interfere with other uses already licensed in the same area (§ 31.117(A)). Even where a proposed use technically qualifies as minor or temporary, the Director can still refer the decision to the City Council for formal action instead of approving it administratively (§ 31.117(B)).

The license mechanism sits alongside two related permit requirements in the same article: a permit is separately required for any excavation, cut, or opening into a public street, alley, sidewalk, or curb, or for a connection to the City's water mains (§ 31.115), and that work must be performed under the method the Director of Engineering prescribes. Anyone who deposits mud, dirt, or similar matter that washes onto a public street or alley must clean it up themselves; if it sits for more than 48 hours the City deems it abandoned, may send its own crews to clean it, and can file a lien against the abutting property, second only to tax and street-improvement liens, for the cleanup cost plus 10 percent annual interest (§ 31.116).