Lee County, AL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

The Lee County Access Management Policy, adopted by the County Commission and administered by the County Engineer, bars any person, firm, corporation or entity from constructing or allowing a driveway, road, alley, street or other roadway to connect to or access the county road system, including the county rights-of-way, without first applying for and obtaining an access permit (Para. 1). Every application is reviewed by the County Engineer, who will not approve a permit that fails to address drainage, sight distance, lane widths, guardrail, front and back slopes, right-of-way encroachments or pavement buildup (Para.

2). Construction and materials must be consistent with the Lee County Subdivision Regulations (Para. 3). A single-family homeowner seeking access for one residence still needs a permit but is not required to submit engineering studies or detailed construction plans unless the County Engineer determines the specific access point raises safety or engineering concerns (Para. 12). For larger projects, the applicant must submit an engineer-sealed design, an approved cost estimate, and post a surety of not less than 150 percent of that approved cost with the Highway Department before any construction in the right-of-way may begin (Para.

9). No building or development permit will be issued by Lee County until Highway Department access approval is secured (Para. 11), and an issued permit becomes void if construction has not substantially begun within one year (Para. 10). This is a unincorporated-area rule only; Auburn, Opelika and Lee County's other incorporated cities administer their own right-of-way permits.