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

§§ 36-1-20 and 32-4-42(6). Section 904 makes it unlawful for any utility to excavate, construct, install, maintain, renew, remove, or relocate facilities in, on, along, over, or under a county right-of-way without a utility encroachment permit from the Department of Public Development, though the requirement can be waived if the work already appears on approved development-plan construction drawings, and a separate permit is not needed for a driveway or drainage culvert covered by its own permit. To apply, Section 905 requires the utility's name and address, detailed plans showing the facility's size and its relationship to right-of-way lines and pavement, the contractor's name, a facilities representative's contact information, projected start and finish dates, an indemnity bond or other security set by the county, and a permit review fee set by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.

Section 907 gives the department 30 calendar days from the application deadline to weigh safety, visual quality, traffic flow, and other right-of-way users before issuing or denying the permit; a denied applicant can appeal in writing by certified mail to the Director, who schedules the matter for the next Board of Adjustment meeting. Once issued, Section 908 requires work to begin within six months or the permit automatically expires. Section 909 lets the Director declare a utility in default for violating permit conditions or any law, and Section 910 gives the utility 20 days to cure that default, or 15 days once the county issues a formal notice of termination, before the county can terminate the permit outright.