Noblesville, IN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 94.04(A) lists nine categories of right-of-way work that require full Board of Public Works and Safety approval, including auxiliary lane additions, street cuts or closures on primary or secondary arterials under the Noblesville Thoroughfare Plan, off-site service extensions, and any encroachment within the Central Business District. Section 94.04(B) covers a longer, non-exclusive list that the Designated Department (the department the Mayor assigns to administer this chapter under § 94.02) can approve administratively unless it decides the request is unusual enough to need Board review; that list runs from utility connections and directional bores to open trenching and curb cuts.

Section 94.04(C) exempts brief Central Business District obstructions of eight hours or less in any 72-hour period, seasonal mobile basketball goals from May 1 through September 30, and work by City employees or contractors acting for the City. Every permit requires a drawing of the proposed work, a current certificate of insurance, and payment of fees in full before issuance under § 94.05, and administrative applications get up to five working days of review. Section 94.10 sets a base encroachment fee of $100, rising for long cuts, fresh pavement, brick surfaces or Central Business District parking closures.

Section 94.99(A) fixes the penalty for violating the chapter at "not more than $2,500 and costs for each first violation, and an additional fine of $7,500 and costs for a second violation and all subsequent violations," with each unpermitted day of cutting or entry counted as a separate offense, plus recoverable enforcement costs and attorney fees.