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Hendricks County, IN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit issuer
Hendricks County Engineer
Covers
Sidewalks, paths, drives, utility lines
Emergency notice deadline
24 hours
Emergency permit application deadline
72 hours
Governing ordinance
Ord. 2023-11, passed 3-14-2023

Summary

Building anything in a county road right-of-way in unincorporated Hendricks County, including sidewalks, pathways, mailbox approaches, or utility lines, requires a right-of-way permit from the County Engineer before work starts.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Hendricks County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to construct improvements in the rights-of-way of the county highway system without first obtaining a permit in accordance with this subchapter. (E) Any work completed as emergency work which does not meet the definition of emergency as set out in § 70.17 is a violation of this subchapter. (F) The County Engineer shall have the authority to issue stop work orders for any violations of this subchapter.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-3: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2024-50, passed 12-10-2024; and State law current through Indiana Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).

Full Breakdown

15 of the county code sets the scope for construction in rights-of-way, covering entrances and driveways, mailbox approaches, culvert or ditch modifications, sidewalks, pathways, trails, multi-use paths, and public utility infrastructure. 15(D), it's unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to construct these improvements in the county highway system's right-of-way without first getting a permit under the subchapter (Ord. 2023-11, passed 3-14-2023). C. 16). 24; general road-cut and linear-project work runs from $75 for a push/bore to $3 per square foot of excavation with a $200 minimum. 20). 15(C).

Violations & Fines

Any construction, relocation, or alteration of an improvement in the county right-of-way performed without an approved § 70.22 permit violates § 70.15(D). The County Engineer has authority under § 70.15(F) to issue stop-work orders for violations, and emergency work that doesn't meet the § 70.17 definition of an emergency is itself declared a subchapter violation under § 70.15(E).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a sidewalk in the Hendricks County right-of-way?
Yes. Section 70.15(B) lists sidewalks, pathways, trails, and multi-use paths as improvements covered by the right-of-way permit subchapter, and § 70.15(D) makes construction without a permit unlawful.
What if I need emergency utility repairs in the right-of-way?
Section 70.20 lets you start emergency repairs without a permit first, but you must notify the County Engineer within 24 hours and file the permit application with fees within 72 hours of starting the work.
Who enforces right-of-way encroachment rules in Hendricks County?
The Hendricks County Engineer administers and enforces the subchapter under § 70.16, including issuing stop-work orders for violations and delegating authority to other county employees as needed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hendricks County

All Hendricks County rules

Compare Hendricks County to another location·View the Indiana sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview

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