Island County, WA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Chapter 12.16 lets Island County stop short of a full franchise ordinance when a utility crossing is small. Under section 12.16.010, the Board of County Commissioners, acting through the county engineer, may grant a short-distance permit for a water pipe, gas pipe, oil pipeline, telegraph, CATV cable, electric line, power line, sewer, tram or railway placed on, over, under, across or along a county road, on public or private property, so long as the facility does not run more than 500 feet along the road and the total system is under one mile long.

The county engineer can demand whatever supporting information the application needs and can grant or refuse the permit at the county's discretion; there is no right to the permit. Any permit issued may be cancelled at any time, and section 12.16.010 makes clear that facilities left in the right-of-way more than thirty days after a written cancellation notice become an unlawful use and obstruction of the road. Section 12.16.020 requires that any franchise or permit serve the public interest and be consistent with the county's comprehensive plan, and discourages extending sewer lines outside urban growth areas except to protect public health, safety or the environment at rural densities. Construction and maintenance under a granted permit must follow the county's standards in force at the time of the grant, per section 12.16.030.