Puyallup, WA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

030, Permit - Required, part of the right-of-way administration chapter, bars anyone from excavating, tunneling under, filling in, grading, paving, leveling, altering, constructing, repairing or removing pavement, sidewalks, crosswalks, curbs, driveways, gutters, sewers, water mains or other structures, or setting up traffic control, over, under or upon a public street, highway, avenue, alley or right-of-way within city limits, without first getting a written permit from the city engineer. Mere repair or maintenance of existing works, or ordinary service to consumers, does not need a permit.

Emergency excavations after hours, at night, on Sundays or holidays can begin once police and the local fire authority are notified, but the applicant must still file a written permit application within three business days regardless of whether the emergency work is finished. Work must start within 180 calendar days of issuance or the permit automatically terminates, subject to one 180-day extension if the city engineer finds the work is progressing satisfactorily; permits are nontransferable and confined to the location named in the permit. 040 lists the application contents: applicant's name and address, who the work is for, its nature and extent, plans and specifications, an address or GPS location, and an estimated cost used to set the required bond.

070 requires a performance financial guarantee of at least 150 percent of the estimated improvement cost, plus commercial general liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence, before a permit issues. 090, starting work without a permit triples the permit and inspection charges.