Richmond, VA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval needed
- Public Works Director, designee, or Council
- Base fee
- $75 work-in-street application
- Insurance floor
- $1,000,000 combined liability
- Homeowner alternative
- $300,000 combined liability
- Bond required
- Unless waived for good cause
- Revocable anytime
- Noncompliance, abandonment, public need
Summary
Any private use of a Richmond street, sidewalk, or public way beyond ordinary public passage needs sign-off from the Director of Public Works, the Director's designee, or City Council before work starts. Applicants pay a work-in-street permit fee, carry liability insurance, and post a bond guaranteeing removal and restoration of the right-of-way.
No encroachment or other use of a street, sidewalk or public way, in a manner not otherwise permitted to the general public, shall be authorized without the consent of the Director of Public Works, the Director's designee or the City Council, except in accordance with this chapter.
(Code 1993, § 25-41; Code 2004, § 90-66; Code 2015, § 24-59; Code 2020, § 24-59; Ord. No. 2004-368-331, § 1, 12-13-2004)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
Richmond City Code § 24-59 requires consent from the Director of Public Works, the Director's designee, or City Council before anyone puts an encroachment or non-public use into a street, sidewalk, or public way. 00 for a homeowner's or renter's policy) naming the City as an additional insured, plus a bond, letter of credit, or other financial guaranty covering removal and restoration. 00 per week for a dumpster, among other listed fees. Under Section 24-62(a)(8), authorization is never a franchise or irrevocable right: the Director can revoke a permit for noncompliance, abandonment, or a superseding public need, and Council can revoke any grant of authorization for any reason.
Violations & Fines
Encroaching or using the right-of-way without the Section 24-59 consent is treated as an unauthorized encroachment under Section 24-25, prosecuted as a Class 1 misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500.00 under the Code's general penalty section, plus abatement costs. Permit holders who ignore the terms and conditions in Section 24-62 risk revocation, and construction work started before a separate work permit issues under Section 24-62(a)(11) is itself a violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves an encroachment permit in Richmond?
What does a Richmond work-in-street permit cost?
Can Richmond revoke my encroachment permit later?
Sources & Official References
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