Roseville, MN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 706.08 is the permit requirement in Chapter 706, Right-of-Way Management. Subsection (a) forbids any person, except as otherwise provided in the Code, to obstruct or excavate any right-of-way or install or place in the right-of-way without first having obtained the appropriate right-of-way permit from the director. Chapter 706 defines the director as the director of the city public works department, and § 706.03 makes the director the principal city official responsible for administering rights-of-way and right-of-way permits. The Code's own term is right-of-way permit, covering excavation, obstruction and small-wireless facility permits. Chapter 706 does not use the label encroachment permit.

To obstruct means to place any object in a right-of-way so as to hinder free and open passage over that or any part of it, and § 706.02 defines right-of-way to include the surface and space above and below a public roadway, street, bicycle way and public sidewalk in which the city has an interest. An obstruction permit is not required if the person already holds a valid excavation permit for the same project.

Registration comes first. Section 706.05 requires each person who occupies, uses or seeks to occupy or use the right-of-way to register with the director by providing application information, paying a registration fee and posting a performance and restoration bond or other security acceptable to the director. During construction the bond must cover 100 percent of the estimated cost of the work, or a lesser amount the director sets. Section 706.06 requires a certificate of insurance naming the city as an additional insured.

The obstruction permit fee is set by the city council in an amount sufficient to recover the city cost, no permit issues without payment, and the city can allow payment within 30 days of billing (§ 706.11). The director can deny a permit for failure to meet the chapter's requirements or when necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare or the right-of-way and its current use (§ 706.16). Permits must be displayed or available at the work site (§ 706.08(d)). Section 706.05(c) excepts boulevard plantings and gardens from Chapter 706 permits.