Joliet, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Article X of Chapter 26 governs encroachments on Joliet's public ways. Section 26-205(a) makes it unlawful to place an obstruction, other than utilities equipment, on any sidewalk, street, parkway, alley or avenue without first getting a permit from the director of public works, and it is separately unlawful to let such an obstruction remain after five days' written notice to remove it, signed by the chief of police, city manager or superintendent of streets. Before a permit issues, § 26-205(b) requires a certificate of insurance indemnifying against bodily injury of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence, plus $25,000 for property damage to another's property; § 26-205(c) requires that certificate to be filed with the city clerk naming the City of Joliet as an additional insured.

Utility poles, phone booths and other utilities equipment are handled separately: § 26-206 requires their own permit, issued by the city engineer rather than public works. If an obstruction is not removed, § 26-207 lets the superintendent of streets or the chief of police order it removed after just two hours' notice to the owner (or immediately if the owner cannot be found), to a suitable storage location; this remedy runs concurrently with other Code provisions. Anything the city removes and that goes unclaimed is advertised and sold after thirty days under § 26-208, with proceeds paid into the city treasury; an owner who proves ownership can recover the balance after the city deducts its penalty and costs. Formerly encroachment permits were issued by the city council, but Ord. No. 5489 (1970) shifted issuance to the current permit-and-insurance scheme.