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

Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 134 sets the permit process private property owners must follow before using public right-of-way for their own purposes. Sec. 03 defines 'projection and encroachment' broadly, any above- or below-grade protrusion beyond the property line into a public street, alley, sidewalk, boulevard or right-of-way, expressly including steam lines, conduits, lighting standards, areaways, tunnels, trapdoors, retaining walls, parking bays and nonstandard walks (building overhangs and signs are regulated separately under Sec. 08 and Sec. 202). Sec. 02 makes it unlawful to construct or maintain any such encroachment without the public works director's written permission, and Sec.

04 authorizes the director to grant that permission only where the encroachment cannot reasonably be handled on private property and cannot be vacated under Chapter 130. Sec. 05 requires an application on director-approved forms describing the location, nature, size and purpose of the improvement, along with plans, specifications and council-set fees, signed by the owner of the abutting property. Sec. 06 conditions every permit on using licensed contractors, guarding the work area with barriers by day and flashing lights by night, and paying inspection costs.

Sec. 07 makes the owner indemnify the city for any resulting damage or injury claims, and Sec. 09 keeps the maintenance duty on the property owner going forward, at no cost to the city. Preexisting encroachments installed without a valid permit before March 23, 1994 must either be removed and the right-of-way restored, or brought into the permit process, per Sec. 08. Sec. 10 lets the director revoke a permit on written notice for safety, aesthetic, or compliance failures, subject to a city council hearing, and Sec. 11 ties every permit's life to the building it serves, it expires when that building is demolished.