Hall County, GA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Chapter 12.50, Utility Franchises and Easements, grants public utilities a nonexclusive right to construct and maintain facilities in county road rights-of-way outside incorporated municipalities, excluding federal-aid primary routes, numbered state routes, and certain state highway authority projects, under § 12.50.020. Before installing, a public utility must apply in writing to the county engineer, pay a $10.00 fee, and submit the applicant's and contractor's names and addresses, the road and location, a schematic of the construction, a plat showing the facility relative to the roadway, and the start date, under § 12.50.030.

If the county administrator disapproves the application, the applicant may confer with the administrator and, if still disapproved, appeal to the board of commissioners, which may direct that a permit issue regardless of any other provision if it finds that in the county's and citizens' best interest (§ 12.50.040). Private utilities face a stricter path: § 12.50.090 grants the same nonexclusive right-of-way privilege, but § 12.50.100 requires the applicant to obtain written permission directly from the board of commissioners, routed through the county engineer, with the same application details.

A private utility permit expires and becomes void if construction is not completed within 90 days of issuance (§ 12.50.110), and the private utility must post a bond or escrow account, in an amount the board sets, to assure proper construction and maintenance before the permit issues (§ 12.50.150), plus indemnify the county against claims arising from the work (§ 12.50.170).