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

Palatine Village Code § 10-154 makes it unlawful to use any vault, space, room or structure under a public street or sidewalk where the village owns the fee or controls the space, without first securing a permit issued by the public works director and approved by the mayor and council, the Village Council's executive-legislative body. Applications go to the public works director in writing under § 10-155, describing the size and purpose of the space. Section 10-156 requires each applicant to file a $50,000.00 bond, with surety approved by the mayor and council, to hold the village harmless from liability caused by the structure; utilities that already posted a security fund under Article I of Chapter 10 are deemed to satisfy this bond.

Openings into the vault through the sidewalk or street must, under § 10-158, be kept covered and guarded with a strong, rough-surfaced metal cover, and any stairway must have a railing at least three feet high. Section 10-159 sets the annual permit fee at the amount in the village fee schedule for each 4,000 cubic feet, or fraction, of space used. The permit is not transferable except as the article allows, and under § 10-160(b) the village council may authorize the public works director to close up any vault, space, room or structure for which no permit was obtained.

Permit holders must keep the sidewalk surface over the structure free of snow, ice and debris and in good repair under § 10-163, and any permit may be revoked by order of the mayor and council for a violation under § 10-164.