New Bedford, MA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 22 governs projections into streets or sidewalks, and § 22-70 requires a permit before any person, corporation, partnership, or association places or maintains signs, advertising devices, clocks, marquees, public telephones or telephone booths and their appurtenances, permanent awnings, other similar structures, or vending machines that project into or sit on or over the surface of a city street or sidewalk. The applicant files a written petition with the city clerk addressed to the city council; most permits are then granted by the city clerk, except that sign permits also require sign-off from the inspector of buildings and the city council.

Every permit, once granted, is valid for exactly five years from its issue date, after which a new petition is required. Section 22-71 adds that each petition must state the exact location where the structure will sit and the date it will be placed, plus a simple sketch showing its dimensions and its exact position relative to the building and curbing. Section 22-72 conditions any grant on the petitioner signing a city-drafted indemnity agreement and carrying liability insurance naming the city as co-insured, in limits of $100,000 per person / $300,000 per incident for personal injury and $50,000 for property damage, with proof of coverage refiled annually or within 14 days of any city clerk request.

Section 22-73 leaves the permit fee itself to be set by city council order, and § 22-74 carves out roadside memorials from the whole permit scheme, though those must be removed by public infrastructure if maintained more than 14 days after the memorialized person's death.