Johnson County, KS Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed for
- Driveways, entrances, utility lines in ROW
- Entrance permit fee
- $50.00
- Utility permit fee
- $100.00
- Issuing department
- Public works and infrastructure
- Violation class
- Class F infraction
- Fine range
- $50.00 to $100.00
Summary
Anyone building a driveway entrance or installing a utility line, pole or pipe within a public right-of-way in unincorporated Johnson County needs a permit first. Sec. 62-3 sets a $50.00 fee for a driveway entrance permit and $100.00 for a utility permit, both issued by the county public works and infrastructure department.
(a)No person shall construct a driveway or other entrance within or connecting to the public right-of-way without first obtaining a permit to do so from the county public works and infrastructure department.(b)No person shall install any type of line, pole, wire, conduit, cable, or pipe within the public right-of-way without first obtaining a permit to do so from the county public works and infrastructure department.(c)Fees for the permits authorized by this section are hereby authorized and established as follows:(1)Entrance (driveway) permit: $50.00.(2)Utility permit: $100.00.(e)Any person undertaking work within the public right-of-way without first obtaining a permit required by this section, or any person violating the terms and conditions of any such permit, shall be deemed in violation of this section and, upon conviction, shall be deemed guilty of a Class F infraction as defined by this Code and fined an amount not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Resolutions: Supplement 14).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 62-3(a) makes it unlawful to construct a driveway or other entrance connecting to a public right-of-way without a permit from the county public works and infrastructure department, and Sec. 62-3(b) applies the same permit requirement to installing any line, pole, wire, conduit, cable or pipe within the right-of-way. Sec. 00 for a utility permit. The director of public works and infrastructure reviews those fees annually and may raise or lower them after reporting the proposed change to the board of county commissioners, without needing further board action to implement it.
Sec. 00 for cutting a gravel or unpaved one, charged until the county engineer confirms the roadway is properly repaired. Public works and infrastructure staff and their designees are code enforcement officers under Sec. 62-3(f), authorized to issue citations for encroachment violations.
Violations & Fines
Working within the public right-of-way, or violating the terms of an issued permit, is a violation of Sec. 62-3(e), a Class F infraction punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00. Sec. 62-4(c) imposes the same Class F fine range for starting right-of-way work before paying the required fee, and repeated violations escalate to the next most serious infraction class and its higher fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put in a new driveway in unincorporated Johnson County?
What does it cost to get a utility line permit for county right-of-way?
What happens if I work in the right-of-way without a permit?
Who decides if right-of-way fees go up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Johnson County
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