Pasco, WA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- any work in/on the public right-of-way
- Permit fee
- minimum building-permit fee, PMC 3.35.030
- Completion deposit forfeiture
- 90 days from acceptance (PMC 12.04.090)
- Sidewalk maintenance violation
- civil infraction, up to $250
- Inspecting authority
- City Construction Inspector, PMC 12.04.130
Summary
Before working in or on a Pasco public right-of-way, from sidewalks and curb cuts to any other encroachment, PMC 12.04.040 requires a right-of-way permit from the City. The permit fee tracks the City's minimum building-permit fee, and a Construction Inspector must confirm the finished work matches the approved plans.
Before any person, firm or corporation commences to improve or modify any public right-of-way within the City by the construction of sidewalks, handicapped ramps, crosswalks, curbs, or driveways, or to do any work in or upon the public right-of-way whatsoever, the applicant must first obtain a right-of-way permit from the City.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4837, passed May 4, 2026).
Full Breakdown
PMC 12.04.040 requires a right-of-way permit before anyone improves or modifies a public right-of-way "by the construction of sidewalks, handicapped ramps, crosswalks, curbs, or driveways, or to do any work in or upon the public right-of-way whatsoever." "Public right-of-way" is defined in PMC 12.04.020 as any publicly owned land dedicated to vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian transportation, improved or not. The permit fee equals the City's minimum building-permit fee under PMC 3.35.030 (PMC 12.04.050). Abutting property owners bear the underlying duty to build and maintain sidewalks, ramps, curbs, gutters and driveways along their full frontage (PMC 12.04.030), and whoever applies for a new-construction building permit must also obtain this right-of-way permit for sidewalk and curb work on every street-adjoining side of the lot at the same time (PMC 12.04.070).
Before the City accepts the finished improvement, a Construction Inspector must be satisfied the work matches the approved plans, profiles, and current standard specifications (PMC 12.04.130). Where it isn't practical to finish curb and sidewalk work before occupancy, the City may accept a cash or bond deposit to cover the estimated completion cost, forfeited if the work isn't done within 90 days, with 30-day extensions available for reasons beyond the applicant's control (PMC 12.04.090).
Violations & Fines
Doing work in the right-of-way without first securing the PMC 12.04.040 permit is unlawful. If a required curb-and-sidewalk completion deposit under PMC 12.04.090 is forfeited because work isn't finished within 90 days (or an approved 30-day extension), the City applies the deposit to complete the work itself and can lien the property for any shortfall under Chapter 12.08 PMC. Separately, failing to maintain an already-built sidewalk after City notice is a civil infraction carrying up to a $250 fine under PMC 12.04.140.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put a driveway or sidewalk in the Pasco right-of-way?
Who pays for sidewalk and curb construction along my property?
What happens if I don't finish required sidewalk work on time?
Can Pasco fine me for a broken or unmaintained sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco
Compare Pasco to another location·View the Washington sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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